Three Kings Day, a Catholic celebration, can be traced back to the 4th century, when it was celebrated by the Greek-speaking portion of the eastern Roman Empire. Whatever its name, its origin is ancient. He or she who finds the bean has to pay for the roscón next year.Three Kings Day is a holiday with many names: Three Kings Day, The Day of the Kings, Epiphany, Twelfth Night, Little Christmas, Theophany, Timkat, and Reyes are just some names this holiday goes by. They will also wear the paper crown that typically comes with the roscón. Whoever finds the small figurine is pronounced king or queen of the feast and will have luck all the next year. The store-bought roscón holds two secrets: a dried fava bean and a small figurine of a king or a baby Jesus. Others eat it for breakfast on the morning of the 6th and some save it as a snack or for dessert after lunch. Spending on the family, the roscón is eaten after arriving from the cabalgata on the evening of the 5th. The dried fruits that top the cake represent the jewels on the Kings’ crowns. It’s usually like a sweet bread cake and can be plain or filled with cream. Let’s not forget the most important part- dessert! The roscón de Reyes is a ring-shaped cake eaten on Three Kings Day. It could be seafood, lamb or other meat – either way, it’s always delicious. The day of the Three Kings is taken as seriously as any holiday in Spain and this means plenty of food along with a big celebration! After the presents have been opened, an extravagant lunch with many courses usually follows.Īppetizers are usually cured meats and cheeses while the main course depends on location. Now that presents have increased in size, they’ll usually find them under the tree. In the past, children left out their shoes and this is where the Kings would leave the presents. But only if they’ve been good – if they’ve been naughty, they receive coal! On the morning of January 6th, children typically open the presents left by the Kings. One of the Three Kings at a cabalgata, image via mariajesus.losadaalvarez on Instagram And you can’t forget about the camels – they’re left dry hay or straw to sustain them for their arduous gift-delivering journey. So when they arrive home from the parade, kids will leave out plates of treats for the kings. The religious monarchs love sweets just as much as children do. Some cheeky adults will even get in there with their upside-down umbrellas to help the kiddos catch more candies! Most parades are elaborate events with dancers, musicians, lights – the works! They’ll often throw candy down to the children too. Children and their families line the streets to enjoy the parade ( cabalgata), waiting anxiously to get a peek at the men who will be delivering their presents that night. On the evening of January 5th, everyone takes to the streets to celebrate the arrival of the kings. It’s not Jesus, Saint Nick, or Santa that brings gifts – it’s the Three Kings! Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar travelled from a faraway place to gift the Son of God with gold, incense and myrrh.įor this reason, the celebration of the arrival of the kings comes with the children also receiving gifts in celebration of this religious holiday. Los Reyes Magos – known as the Three Wise Men, or Three Kings in English – are three men who followed the North Star to the town of Bethlehem to welcome baby Jesus into the world. Although the Spanish are starting to celebrate Christmas as the years go on the day of the Three Kings continues to be the bigger and more popular holiday. The día de los Reyes is better known as the feast of Epiphany in English.

Dia de reyes in english