The Three Kings Parade in Spain

I´ve been living in Southern Spain for the last 3 years and I have learned so many things here. Many of their traditions are really similar to my Peruvian traditions so I was not that shocked with the change. We already knew that kids receive their presents from the Three Kings on January 6, not in Christmas as most kids in the world do, so we had to adapt to this tradition too!!!! But what we really enjoy was all the expectation caused by the Three Kings arrival to Spain. (They are also known as The Wise Men or The Three Kings of East)

All the people here, kids and adults, wait for this day to arrive. It is actually celebrated the night of January 5, the day before the feast of Epiphany. They wait for The Wise Men to make an appearance in their city in an amazing parade called "La Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos". Every big city and even small towns celebrate this important event, when the Three Kings finally arrive to adore Baby Jesus and offer their gifts to the son of God. It is believed that one of the first Parades was celebrated on January 5, 1866 in the town of Alcoy.

The Wise Men arrived to the different towns and cities in beautiful carriages along with their servants who start throwing candies, chocolates and even toys to the thousands of kids and adults that spend hours waiting for their arrival. The first one to arrive is usually King Melchior, then King Gaspar and finally the youngest one, King Balthazar. Streets are beautifully decorated since the beginning of the season but are well organized for the Kings Parade to be a success.

Most parades are covered by local broadcasting companies, so you can enjoy not only your local parade but also enjoy simultaneously the different parades around Spain. This parades usually start around 6:00 pm and finish around 9:00 pm. Soon after that, kids go to sleep early to wait for the Kings to visit their home and leave some presents. If they were bad kids they will receive candy coal, but if they were good kids they will receive what they asked on their letter to the Wise Men. After opening their presents the whole family enjoy their breakfast with the traditional "Roscon de Reyes" a delicious rounded bread with fruits, jelly and even whipped cream. This is actually the end of all the Spanish's Christmas celebrations.

The first time I attended a "Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos" with my kids I had so much fun, I felt like a little kid too!!! I enjoyed not only looking to their happy faces but also enjoyed watching people from all ages singing Christmas carols and also dancing in the streets. If you ever have the chance to visit Spain for Christmas time, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this Parade, is an experience you will never forget!!

 According to the Gospel of Matthew here I quote the arrival of the Three Kings:

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.

There are actually different versions of where they came from.  Many people believe that they came from Babylonia or Persia or even from Egypt.  There is no official documentation that could prove where exactly they came from.  Our christian Church recognizes the following names for the Wise Men: Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar.