On 5 January each year, Spain’s villages, towns and cities receive the traditional, joyful visit of the Three Wise Men of the East.
We are talking about the Three Kings, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, who bring good cheer and presents to children at Christmas. Bring your children to Spain and discover our traditions together, as well as the latest attractions for the little ones at this time of year.
To make sure your children experience our traditions to the full, there is one thing they should not miss: the letter to the Three Kings that children all over Spain write. Get them to write down a list of presents that they would like to receive this year for being good. Then, they just have to give their letter in before 5 January to one of the royal pages at shopping centres and city squares around Spain. What is more, simply walking around the streets will be great fun for them, because they are decorated with coloured lights and Christmas trees, and all the shop windows are filled with toys.
The parade
The most important moment comes on the afternoon of 5 January, when Three Kings Parades get underway throughout Spain. It is an exciting experience, representing the journey made by the Three Kings on their camels, following the star to the Bethlehem stable where Jesus was born. Take your children to this spectacle, where a large number of floats carry not only the Three Kings, but also a host of weird and wonderful characters who throw sweets into the crowd and will have your children dreaming of Christmas. Whichever destination you choose, you will find a traditional parade. In Barcelona the Three Kings arrive by boat; here is a tip to make the experience even more enjoyable: take an umbrella, turn it upside down and your children will be able to use it to catch loads of sweets!
Presents and the “roscón”
According to tradition, on the night of 5 January, children should go to bed early, but not before leaving their shoes out so that the Three Kings can fill them with presents when they come to the house. What is more, in some households people leave a small glass of anisette to give the Kings strength on their long journey. The following day is the feast of the Three Kings, and children get up early to enjoy their presents. Get everything organised so that your kids can enjoy the fun too. Furthermore, on 6 January most restaurants and hotels in Spain prepare special menus accompanied by the typical seasonal dessert: ROSCÓN DE REYES (Epiphany Cake). Another anecdote? All these sweets (many of which are filled with cream, truffle, etc.) have a surprise hidden inside. Whoever finds it will have a year filled with happiness.
