Welcome to a vibrant celebration that brings joy, tradition, and cultural richness to Spanish-speaking countries every January 6th – Three Kings Day! Known as Día de los Reyes Magos in Latin America and Spain, this enchanting holiday commemorates the legendary journey of the Three Wise Men to honor the birth of baby Jesus. As we delve into the captivating tales, unique customs, and mouthwatering delicacies surrounding this festive occasion, prepare to embark on an extraordinary exploration of the rich traditions that make Three Kings Day truly unforgettable. So grab your crown and let’s dive into a world brimming with magic and merriment!
Introduction to Three Kings Day
Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany or Dia de los Reyes Magos, is a popular holiday celebrated in many Spanish-speaking countries. It falls on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas and marks the end of the Christmas season. This holiday commemorates the biblical story of the three wise men or kings who traveled to Bethlehem to honor and bring gifts to baby Jesus.
The origins of Three Kings Day can be traced back to Christian traditions in ancient Rome. It was originally celebrated as part of the Feast of Epiphany, which commemorated the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and his manifestation as the Son of God. Over time, this celebration merged with other cultural influences such as pagan celebrations honoring gods and goddesses in early Europe.
In Spanish-speaking countries, this holiday took on a new meaning with the arrival of Catholicism during colonization. The story of the three wise men resonated deeply with indigenous communities who had their own beliefs surrounding three powerful figures bringing gifts to newborns.
How is Three Kings Day Celebrated in Different Spanish-Speaking Countries?
Today, Three Kings Day is a vibrant and joyous celebration that combines religious customs with unique cultural traditions. In many countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Colombia, children eagerly await this day for gifts from the Three Wise Men instead of Santa Claus. Before they go to bed on the 5th January, children leave their shoes outside so Los Reyes know where they live and can leave gifts for them. They also leave grass and water for the camels. On the morning of 6th they will be waking up to the gifts Los Reyes left them.
Mexico
In Mexico Three Kings Day is known as “El Día de los Reyes” and is typically celebrated on January 6th. Families gather to bake a special cake called “Rosca de Reyes,” which has a small figurine of baby Jesus hidden inside. The person who finds the figurine in their slice of cake is considered lucky and must host a party on February 2nd, also known as Candlemas.
Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, Three Kings Day celebrations start on the eve of January 5th with a parade called “Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos.” People line the streets to watch colorful floats carrying actors dressed up as the three kings and hand out candy to children. On the morning of January 6th, children wake up to find presents left by the Three Kings beside their shoes or under their beds.
Spain
In Spain, this holiday is known as “Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Mag0s” and is celebrated with grand processions throughout major cities. These processions feature elaborately decorated floats carrying actors dressed up as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar –the three wise men. Children write letters to the Three Kings requesting gifts.
I was in Málaga for Los Reyes in 2023. The streets were filled with thousands of people as the parade made it’s way from el ayuntamiento (Town Hall) all the way through the main street of the city. People on the floats threw sweets into the crowds (my kids got a great haul!) Spectators shout “caramelos!” (sweets) and “aquí (here!) – watch out some are thrown quite hard & fast!! My favourite floats were the Octopus , the Jelly Fish and the bubble.
If you ever get the opportunity to be in a Spanish-speaking country for Reyes do it – it’s quite the experience!
Traditional Foods and Drinks Associated with Three Kings Day
Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake)
One of the most iconic foods associated with Three Kings Day is Rosca de Reyes, which translates to King’s Cake. This sweet bread-like cake is shaped like a wreath or crown and has dried or candied fruits on top to represent jewels. Inside the cake, there is usually a hidden figurine of baby Jesus to symbolize his hiding from King Herod’s soldiers. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice is said to have good luck for the rest of the year and must host a party on February 2nd for Candlemas Day.
Rosca de Reyes is the traditional sweet bread enjoyed on Reyes. We enjoyed ours on the beach 😉👌 read the little note that came with it in the photo, about what you find inside. Carmela got to be “Queen” for the day, I unfortunately got the “bean” which meant I had to pay for it.
Rosca de reyes (king’s cake) recipes:
Link to recipes in Spanish Rosca de Pascua clásica paso a paso (clarin.com) & Receta Rosca de Reyes casera – ▷ Recetas Argentinas
English recipe: I like the simplicity of this recipe from From Argentina with Love (Scroll down to the end of the page) and this one from BBC GoodFood Cake of kings recipe | BBC Good Food
Resources for children
Here are some of our favourite activities you can to do with children on the run up to Reyes:
Los Reyes Magos is instead of Father Christmas. This is a great image that I found on Mundo de Pepita Blog showing the differences (in Spanish) between Navidad (Christmas) and Reyes (Kings)
- Make Kings crowns – you can make your own or use these templates I found on FamilyEducation.com.
- Letter-to-the-Three-Wise-Men-Spanish – use this template to write a letter (In Spanish) to the Three wise men telling them what gift you would like.
- Three Kings coloring pages from Daily Colouring Pages.
- This is a great Activity Sheet from mommy Maestra for younger children Reyes Activity Sheet
- Send a digital letter to The Three Kings via email and receive a reply!
- There’s a Dora the Explora DVD “Dora Celebrates Three Kings day” available to buy on Amazon.
- Three kings paper chain template courtesy of First Palette
- Mommy Maestra has prepared a great Activity book available at Teachers Pay Teachers Los Reyes Bilingual activity book
Children’s Books
There are some great books out there about Los Reyes Magos too. Most are in Spanish, although there are English versions. Here’s a selection along with some digital stories as well as free printable options:
Los Reyes Magos – is a lovely short story in Spanish about “Los Reyes Magos“. Just click on the pages to read through the story online at Pasitos de Colores.
“La Estrella de Belén” by Estefanía Esteban. Is a beautiful short story in Spanish that can be read online.
“Las Aventures y desaventuras de los Reyes Magos” by Guillermo Canovas. Available on Amazon (UK).
“Verde Navidad” by Mrinali Alvarez Astacio y Juan Alvarez-o’neill. Available on Amazon (Spain).
“Celebra El Navidad y El Día de Los Reyes Magos con Pablo y Carlitos” by Alma Flor Ada y F. Isabel Campoy. Available on Amazon (UK).
“Los Reyes Magos llegan de Noche” by Manuel Fernandez Juncos and Braulio Dueno Colon. Available on Amazon (UK). With CD.
“Los Reyes Magos de Oriente” (with CD) by Xavier Carrasco and Illustrated by Pep Montserrat. Available on Amazon.
Why You Should Experience Three Kings Day in a Spanish-Speaking Country
As we come to the end of our journey through the rich traditions of Three Kings Day in Spanish-speaking countries, you may be wondering why you should consider experiencing this holiday firsthand. Well, let us tell you – there are countless reasons why immersing yourself in the celebrations and customs of Three Kings Day is a must-do for anyone interested in Hispanic culture.
First and foremost, Three Kings Day is an incredibly important cultural event in many Spanish-speaking countries. It is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate and honor their heritage, making it a truly authentic experience. By participating in the festivities, you will gain insight into the deep-rooted traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Additionally, experiencing Three Kings Day in a Spanish-speaking country allows you to witness unique customs and ceremonies that are not found anywhere else. From vibrant parades filled with colorful floats and costumes to traditional foods and drinks that are only served during this holiday – there is no shortage of one-of-a-kind experiences waiting for you.
Moreover, celebrating Three Kings Day in a Spanish-speaking country also gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. Whether it’s attending mass or interacting with locals during street celebrations, you will have plenty of chances to practice your Spanish skills and learn new phrases specific to this holiday.
But perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to experience Three Kings Day is its universal message of love, generosity, and unity.
Updated from original post written in 2015. I hope you enjoyed it.