July 6, 2021
One of the coolest and most exciting things about living abroad is being able to discover, learn about, and appreciate other cultures and traditions. This is especially true for Spain! One of the most popular and unique Christmas traditions in Spain is undoubtedly the "Dia de los Reyes" or the Day of the 3 Kings Spain! Keep reading to get the basics on this fiesta and all the inside tips to celebrate Reyes like a King.
3 Kings Spain: gifts, parades, and a longer Christmas season
On 6th January, the Three Wise Men make their magical appearance all over the country. The Three Kings – Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar – travel from faraway to bring presents and they do it on the evening of 5th January. Unlike Santa Claus, who comes with his reindeer and sneaks in through the chimney, the Three Kings do it on camel back and either slide through the windows or walk through the front door. The tradition goes that they leave the gifts in people’s shoes (this might explain your neighbours' shoes on their doorsteps that night). In the last decade or so, however, Spaniards, for practical reasons, place the presents under the Christmas tree inside.
One of the main differences between other countries and Spain is that here, kids and adults open their presents on the morning of 6th January. So yes, the Christmas break here lasts way longer. In fact, the Christmas lights in all major cities and even small rural towns stay up until that day. Make sure to pick up a map of the Christmas light shows in your city or hop aboard the Christmas Lights bus called Naviluz, now available in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. It’s well worth seeing the unique LED sculptures, created by Spain’s top artists and designers. What a perfect way to celebrate 3 Kings Spain.
But the main highlight of this unique tradition, and one you shouldn’t miss, is the Three Kings Parade – it tends to be absolutely spectacular. Think Carnival in Rio without the half-clad dancing women in bikini but with all the pomp, colour, music and magic. The stunning floats are exquisitely decorated to carry the Wise Men and their entourage throughout the city or town’s main thoroughfares. Make sure to find out what that route is and get ready for some fun. Remember, there is always a wait so, do like the locals, and dress comfortably and even bring along a folding chair. Top tip: watch your head - the sweets being thrown from the floats for the excited children, might land more forcefully than you think.
Like everything in Spain, from culture to gastronomy, everything depends on where you are. The 3 Kings in Spain are no exception and the way they make their entrance differs. In Barcelona, for example, they come by sea.
After the parade, kids go home to make sure they leave some treats for the Wise Men and plenty of food and water for the camels, always hoping not to get coal (in Spain, that’s what you get if you’ve been naughty). The truth is that the coal is actually made of sugar and like most food and treats in Spain, even these black sugary chunks are delicious. Join in on Three Kings celebrations this year – you won’t be disappointed.
Three Kings Day might mark the end of the Christmas season in Spain, but winter is still in full force. Discover the best places to spend winter in Spain. And if you're driving around in Spain on wintery roads, make sure your vehicle is properly prepared for snow.
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