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. They throw sweets and other small gifts to the expectant crowd and are accompanied by music and other performing acts.The día de los Reyes is better known as the feast of Epiphany in English. From their arrival point, the Kings form a procession through the city, often up to several kilometres. Nevertheless, the principle is the same: the three kings come bearing gifts and their arrival is greeted by thousands of excited children. In Madrid they usually arrive by horse, in Valencia they arrive by boat and in smaller towns they often arrive by train. Unlike the three kings from the Bible, who arrived on camel, in Spain they use alternative methods. The day before the Dia de Los Reyes, just after darkness has fallen, the Kings (Reyes Magos) arrive in each town and city to mark the start of the festivities. The day is nearly as important in Spanish culture as Christmas, especially for children as it is on the Dia de los Reyes that presents are exchanged in Spain. Celebrated on the 6th January, it is of course a festival marking the three kings that brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The Dia de Los Reyes is an important festival in Spain.
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