04/01/2022
Fiesta de los Reyes
On the evening of January 5th every year, Spanish towns and cities are given over to the colourful parades of the Dia de los Reyes, or the Kings' Day – a celebration of the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth.
There is quite a debate raging across this country regarding whether Santa Claus is displacing the traditional Three Kings at Christmastime in Spain. The truth is that Santa Claus is becoming more and more common, but even families that sign up with “Papa Noel” usually keep their accounts open with the Kings.
And as for the Kings themselves, they continue to arrive on schedule every year to villages, towns and cities throughout Andalucia (and the rest of Spain) to make the annual parade (cabalgata), which usually starts at dusk on the 5th January through the centre of urban areas. Melchor, Gazpar and Baltasar (the African king) are magically able to appear simultaneously throughout this entire land as evening falls on the Iberian Peninsula, and they don’t come empty handed. As their royal magesties parade about town with their entourage of locals smiling and waving from trucks, trailers and even floats (depends on local resources) they dutifully toss out handfuls of sweets to the children waiting in the streets at they pass.
That same night of January 5th children are supposed to leave their shoes out the night before to receive the gifts.
THE 6TH OF JANUARY IN ANDALUCIA
Breakfast is a special occasion on January 6th with the Three Kings’ Cake ( Roscón de Reyes) the centre of attention. This is a sweet bread that is adorned with dried fruits and sugar. Inside, bakers have hidden a small prize wrapped in paper as well as a bean. The one who finds the lucky prize is supposed to be King or Queen for the day (a gold paper crown is often provided with the cake) while he who ends up with the unlucky bean is expected to pay for next years Kings’ Cake
January 6th is a very special day througout our region as it is a day for family to come together for a special meal, gift exchanges and time together. It is very much like Christmas Day.
January 6th is a national public holiday, however if the 6th falls on a Sunday the national holiday is moved to Monday 7th January.
Program 2022
The Three Kings Parade in Malaga starts with their majesties’ arrival at around 5pm. In 2022, the Kings spend the night at the Alcazaba Fortress (once a royal residence) and go from here to City Hall. They then join the parade as it makes its way around the city. Start time is 6pm from City Hall.
