Listen to Luis Albert Acevedo Jr. With these traditions, excitement and joy flood each house on Three Kings' Day, and little by little everyone realizes that Christmas has come to an end… until next year! In fact, it is often regarded as the most important festival in Spain all year round, even more so than New Year’s or Christmas in Spain. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Many kids also leave out three glasses of warm milk and sweets for each of the kings, plus some hay or grass for their hungry camels. They happily discover that there is no water or milk left and the nougat has been eaten, a sign that the three kings have recovered their strength to return home. Christmas season is long in Spain! Lamb. Every city and sizeable town stages a parade but this year will be different. Read on to learn more ab… Though for many in Latin America and the rest of the world, the Christmas season is just now hitting its peak—with the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day (El Día de los Reyes) on January 6. All Rights Reserved On the morning of Three Kings' Day, after the kids have feverishly opened up all of their gifts, parents sit in front of the television hoping to hear their ticket number called as the winner of El Gordo, "the big one.". A couple of weeks later, on January 6, Spain plays its second-largest lottery of the year, called El Niño. Also referred to as the Feast of the Epiphany, this biblical holiday is celebrated each year on January 6 in Spain and many other Spanish-speaking countries. The Festival of the Three Magic Kings in Spain. Formentera has also restricted social gatherings to a maximum of six people, both indoors and outdoors. The night before, every city hosts a parade to welcome the Three Wise Men who have just arrived from the Far East. The most exciting part of the cake is that two small items are baked inside of it, traditionally a small figurine of baby Jesus and a bean, although they vary. If you're given a slice and find the figurine, it means you'll have good luck for the rest of the year. In Spain, and especially in Mexico, a Rosca de Reyes is served for the traditional merienda on Three Kings Day, January 6, along with chocolate caliente. While the holiday season in the U.S. normally ends right after the New Year, the winter vacation in Spain lasts until Three Kings' Day. The main course varies from region to region and family to family. Learn about the three wise men — Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar — and other Spanish Christmas traditions. The fun isn't just limited to Spanish-speaking cultures. Three Kings, View of Spanish Men, outdoor scene, the traditional Kings’ Day parade, January 5th each year sees the celebration. On Christmas Eve, families do host a big family dinner, which always begins with some cured hams and cheeses as appetizers and ends with turrón, a holiday candy made from almonds. Privacy Policy, Business Spanish and Chamber of Commerce Exam. In spite of the fact that the ‘Reyes Magos’ ( The Three Wise Men) are said to bring presents for the whole family, it’s the children who are at the centre of attention on this day, so they look forward to it more than anyone! Three Kings, View of Spanish Men, outdoor scene, the traditional Kings’ Day parade, January 5th each year sees the celebration. They are usually huge spectacles featuring hundreds of actors and are broadcast live on Spanish television. Three Kings Day (Epiphany) in Spain The Three Kings Day or Epiphany (Dia de los Reyes Magos) falls on January 6 in Spain, celebrated with fervor that involves plenty of gifts, sweets and parades. © 1989 - 2021 Ideal Education Group S.L. It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas. In Spain, this day is known as Kings' Day or the Día de Los Reyes, and is celebrated just like a second Christmas, with feasting and the giving of presents. In Ireland, the day is known as Little Christmas. The Three Kings Once the end-of-the-year parties are over and the New Year begins, in Spain, the children are still waiting for the most important day of the holiday season. In Spain, children anticipate Epiphany as the time when they will open the majority of their “Christmas presents.” The Three Kings are believed to visit and leave gifts behind. In Italy and Greece, the Epiphany is celebrated in different ways. Damian Corrigan is a travel writer who has traveled extensively throughout Spain since moving there in 2003. It's difficult to prepare at home, and the most sought-after bakeries have their stocks reserved weeks before Kings' Day. On the night of January 5th, after having seen the three kings parade through the city, the children run home to clean their shoes and place them in a good spot for the kings to see them. Do you want to learn more about the Three kings day in Spain? Whether or not they were actually kings is up for debate, but their legend of gift-giving has lived on. In Spain, the feast day is marked with joyous parades. In Mexico, for example, a mile-long “Rosca de Reyes” cake is made to celebrate the holiday. Three Kings Day! Family gatherings for Three Kings' Day will be limited to six people, except in Ibiza, where up to 10 can meet. But all children know that if they misbehaved, they run the risk of receiving a piece of coal instead. As it is a tradition that has been celebrated in Spain for many centuries, most Spanish-speaking countries in the West also celebrate Three Kings' Day. Epiphany is one of three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. https://www.learnreligions.com/three-kings-day-in-spain-1643112 It's one of Spain's most important holidays, not just for the gifts, but also for the massive parade, the national lottery, and the traditional kings' cake. Many children write letters to the kings on 26 December asking for specific presents. For decades, Santa was a tradition reserved for the countries of Northern Europe and North America, but as U.S. traditions have become more and more widespread, it's not uncommon for children to receive a few smaller gifts on Christmas as well. Christmas Day is a national holiday in Spain, but despite the country's strong Catholic roots, the day itself has not traditionally been a major day of celebration. In … Even though virtually every family in Spain eats this dessert on January 6, almost everyone purchases a cake. 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