The Three Kings Parade - A tradition full of light and a lot of magic
Culture 27/12/2023
When in the rest of the world it seems that the Christmas holidays have already ended, in Spain one of the most magical celebrations of these dates arrives, the arrival of the Three Wise Men from the East. During the first week of January, all of Spain continues buying gifts, preparing meals and enjoying the lights and magic of Christmas for a few more days.
For those who do not know the tradition, Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6 and it is a day that all families and, especially children, live with great enthusiasm since, during the night, the Three Wise Men enter all the houses to fill them with gifts for the whole family ;-).
The previous afternoon, the Three Wise Men arrive to each and every one of the cities and neighborhoods of the country in their floats handing out candy to all the children. During this parade of lights, music and festivities, all the children can give the royal pages their letters with all their wishes, hoping that they will come true the next day.
In Barcelona, at 4:30 p.m. on January 5, Their Majesties, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar, will arrive once again at the Portal de la Pau by sea aboard the Santa Eulàlia paileboat. There, they will be received by the mayor, who will give them the keys to the city so that they can enter all the houses. It will be from 6:00 p.m. when the Kings of the East will begin to tour the streets of the city with their entire entourage, following the route shown on the map:
The royal entourage will set off at 6:00 p.m. to take a tour from Avenida del Marquès de l'Argentera (with Circumval·lació street) to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, with the following planned schedule:
6:00 p.m.: av. Marquis de l'Argentera
6:15 p.m.: pg. Colom
7:10 p.m.: av. Parallel
7:30 p.m.: rda. Sant Pau
7:45 p.m.: Sant Antoni Market
8:30 p.m.: c. Sepulveda
8:45 p.m.: pl. Spain
9:15 p.m.: av. Queen Maria Christina
Twelfth Night Traditions
After enjoying the Parade, the families return to their homes to leave everything prepared for the passage of Their Majesties through their homes, where the children leave some food for the Kings, a little water or milk for the camels and some shoes so they can fill them with gifts or candy. Although, if the little ones in the house have behaved a little badly during the year, some sugar charcoal can also fall as a “punishment”.
Some families, especially families without small children, also take the opportunity to walk through the Fira de Reis de Gran Via, since that night it remains open until dawn, for stragglers who still have a pending message that the pages may have left for them. of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men of the East ;-)
The next morning, all families enjoy opening the gifts and eating the famous Tortel de Reyes, a type of roscón-shaped cake that can be filled with any type of cream, be it cream, pastry cream, truffle, marzipan... .but always decorated with candied fruit. If you are in Barcelona at this time and you want to try a good Roscón de Reyes, below we leave you the most popular places where you can buy the best ones in the city.
L'Obrador dels 15 : is the winner of the award for Best Classic Tortel in Catalonia this 2023.
Address: Passeig de Maragall, 209 - Navas de Tolosa, 401
L'Atelier : is the winner of the award for Best Creative Toretel in Catalonia this 2023. They have created the Roscottone GOLD, a rascón with panettone dough with a mixture of ginger, caramel, Dulcey cream and with gold sheets that crown it.
Address: Doctor Fleming, 16 - Viladomat, 140
Escribà : it is one of the most legendary roscones in the city and with a more than deserved reputation. This year they have created the “Light Roscón” for all those who think that the classic Roscón de Reyes is too sweet and heavy. This lighter version is filled with whipped cream, meringue with little sugar cooked in the oven at a low temperature and, instead of candied fruit, colored chocolate feathers.
Address: Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, 546 - Rambla de les Flors, 83 - L'Illa Diagonal Shopping Center
The vast majority of Spaniards will agree that Three Kings' Night and Day are one of the most magical and beautiful moments of Christmas, especially when there are still small children in the family who fill these moments with hope and joy. .
