Three Kings’ Day (El Día de los Reyes)
Three Kings’ Day is a joyful mix of family, sweets, parades, and tradition, marking the true end of the Spanish holiday season.
LIFESTYLE
1/6/20261 min read
In Spain, Three Kings’ Day (El Día de los Reyes) is celebrated on January 6th. It marks the arrival of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Unlike in Northern Europe, where Christmas Day is the main gift-giving day, in Spain children traditionally receive their presents on this day.
The celebration begins with the “Cabalgata de Reyes”, a colorful parade on the evening of January 5th. The Three Kings ride on floats, throw sweets to children, and create a magical atmosphere. Families leave shoes out at night to be filled with gifts and treats.
A special part of the holiday is the Roscón de Reyes, a round sweet cake decorated with candied fruits. Hidden inside are a small figurine of a king and a bean. Whoever finds the king is considered lucky and may have good fortune in the year ahead, while the person who finds the bean traditionally has to buy the Roscón next year.
Three Kings’ Day is a joyful mix of family, sweets, parades, and tradition, marking the true end of the Spanish holiday season.