Three Kings' Day - Spanish

Hello! I am a holiday known in Spain as Día de los Reyes Magos, which means Three Kings' Day in English. People celebrate me every year on January 6th. My arrival marks the joyful end of the Christmas season. I commemorate a story from the Christian Bible about a long and important journey. In this account, three wise kings, also called Magi, followed a star to find the baby Jesus. The names traditionally given to these kings are Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. Their purpose was to honor the newborn and present him with special gifts. My traditions are inspired by their famous travels and the presents they brought.

The excitement for my arrival actually begins on the evening of January 5th. In many cities, towns, and villages across Spain, a wonderful event takes place called the 'Cabalgata de Reyes Magos,' or the Three Kings' Parade. These are grand processions that fill the streets with music and color. The three kings themselves are the stars of the show. They ride on large, beautifully decorated floats, sometimes appearing on real camels or horses, just as people imagine they traveled long ago. As they make their way through the town, they wave to the large crowds of people who have gathered to see them. Children watch with excitement as the kings and their helpers toss handfuls of candy into the air for them to catch.

After the parades end and families return home, children continue their preparations for the kings' special visit during the night. It is a time filled with hope and anticipation. Many children write letters to the Three Kings, much like letters some children write to Santa Claus. In these letters, they tell the kings about their year and list the presents they are hoping to receive. Once the letters are written, the most important step is to leave out their shoes. Children carefully clean a pair of their shoes and place them on a windowsill, by the front door, or near the fireplace. This tradition serves a special purpose: it shows the kings exactly where they should leave the gifts later that night.

Along with preparing a place for their gifts, many children take time to think about the long journey the kings and their camels have made. To show their gratitude and help the travelers refresh themselves, families often leave out snacks and drinks before they go to bed. For the kings, there might be sweets, cookies, and a glass of milk or even a small glass of a stronger drink for the grown-up visitors. Just as important are the camels, who have traveled so far. For these tired animals, children thoughtfully leave out buckets of fresh water and bundles of straw or hay to give them energy for the rest of their journey.

When morning arrives on January 6th, children wake up to find presents left by the kings. Later in the day, families and friends gather together to share a special holiday treat that is unique to me. It is a delicious cake called the 'Roscón de Reyes.' This sweet bread is baked in the shape of a large ring or crown and is often decorated with colorful candied fruits. These glistening fruits are arranged to look like the sparkling jewels on a royal crown. Hidden inside the cake are two little surprises. One is a tiny figurine of a king, and the other is a single dry fava bean. Finding one of these items in your slice is part of the fun. The person who finds the tiny king is crowned the king or queen of the celebration for the rest of the day. However, the person who finds the fava bean traditionally has to buy the Roscón de Reyes for everyone the following year.