southrefa.blogg.se

Much like the traditional milk and cookies for Santa Claus and his reindeer, Spanish children often set out plates of food or sweets for los reyes magos. The kings’ camels also receive dried grass or hay from the traditionalists, or milk and bread if those aren’t handy! Los reyes magos traditionally bring gifts for Spanish children during the night on January 5. Los Reyes Magos bring holiday cheer to all of Spain! Photo credit: Universidad de Navarra January 6: The arrival of los reyes magos

Some adults even get in on the fun and will hold upside-down umbrellas to catch as much candy as possible! They throw goodies, usually candy or sweets, down to the children. These parades are truly a sight to behold! Along with dancers, musicians, and puppeteers, the Kings ride on camels or elaborate floats. Spanish families line the streets of their hometown to get a glimpse of the cabalgata de los reyes magos, or Three Kings Day parade. On January 5, parades take place throughout the country to celebrate the arrival of the kings. Celebrating Three Kings Day in Spain today January 5: The Three Kings Day paradeįestivities officially start the day before the actual feast day of los reyes magos. However, Three Kings Day is easily the more important of the two, and the day when just about everyone in Spain will be in the gift-giving spirit. As a result, some children get gifts on both December 25 and January 6. In recent years, some Spanish families have begun to embrace the Santa tradition as well. When the tradition of Santa Claus bringing gifts to children on Christmas Day became popular in some countries centuries ago, Spain followed suit, but used los reyes magos as the gift-bringers instead. The Three Wise Men have been honored in various European countries since the Middle Ages. Their names were Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, and they came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Read on to learn more about this beloved Spanish holiday tradition! Who are “los reyes magos”?Īccording to Christian tradition, three wise men came to visit the newborn baby Jesus shortly after his birth. While some Spanish families have also embraced the Santa tradition in recent years, it’s los reyes magos who are the most important. They’re the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts the night before Three Kings Day in January.

Instead, it’s the Three Wise Men-or los reyes magos-who take center stage during the winter holidays. In Spain, Santa Claus isn’t the star of the show when the holiday season rolls around. They throw sweets and other small gifts to the expectant crowd and are accompanied by music and other performing acts.This blog post was originally posted on Decemand was updated on November 20, 2020. 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.