In Spain, Santa Claus isn’t the star of the show when the holiday season rolls around. <\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Instead, it’s the Three Wise Men\u2014or los reyes magos<\/em>\u2014who take center stage during the winter holidays<\/a>. They’re the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts the night before Three Kings Day in January<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While some Spanish families have also embraced the Santa tradition in recent years, it’s los reyes magos<\/em> who are the most important. Read on to learn more about this beloved Spanish holiday tradition!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n According to Christian tradition, three wise men came to visit the newborn baby Jesus shortly after his birth. Their names were Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, and they came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Three Wise Men have been honored in various European countries since the Middle Ages. 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<\/em> as the gift-bringers instead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In recent years, some Spanish families have begun to embrace the Santa tradition as well. As a result, some children get gifts on both December 25 and January 6. 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Festivities officially start the day before the actual feast day of los reyes magos<\/em>. On January 5, parades take place throughout the country to celebrate the arrival of the kings. Spanish families line the streets of their hometown to get a glimpse of the cabalgata de los reyes magos,<\/em> or Three Kings Day parade. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These parades are truly a sight to behold! Along with dancers, musicians, and puppeteers, the Kings ride on camels or elaborate floats. They throw goodies, usually candy or sweets, down to the children. Some adults even get in on the fun and will hold upside-down umbrellas to catch as much candy as possible!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Los reyes magos<\/em> traditionally bring gifts for Spanish children during the night on January 5. 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<\/em>. The kings’ camels also receive dried grass or hay from the traditionalists, or milk and bread if those aren\u2019t handy!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When kids throughout Spain wake up on the morning of the 6th, they find gifts from the Three Kings ready to open. (But only if they’ve been good\u2014just like Santa Claus, los reyes magos<\/em> bring coal for those on the naughty list!)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Throughout the holiday season, Spanish families enjoy multiple feasts that last for hours. Three Kings Day is no different. After opening the gifts from los reyes magos<\/em>, it’s time to enjoy an elaborate lunch comprised of multiple courses and plenty of post-meal chatter, known as sobremesa.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A typical Three Kings Day lunch in Spain will likely start with some appetizers such as cheese and cured meats. The main course can vary depending on where you are in the country, but expect something hearty and filling, usually meat or seafood based. Just be sure to save room for dessert: the almighty rosc\u00f3n<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The crown jewel of the los reyes magos <\/em>celebration is exactly that: a crown-shaped dessert decorated with candy “jewels.” This is the rosc\u00f3n de reyes<\/em>, a sweet bread-like cake often filled with cream and topped with dried fruits. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The rosc\u00f3n de reyes<\/em> is notoriously difficult to make at home and takes a long time. As a result, most people outsource theirs to the experts. Starting in the fall, bakeries throughout Spain see thousands of orders for roscones<\/em> from locals eager to reserve theirs in time. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As for when to eat the rosc\u00f3n<\/em>, that depends on who you ask. Some families dig into theirs as soon as they get home from the Three Kings Day parade on January 5. Others have it for breakfast on the morning of the 6th, and still others hold off until afternoon on Three Kings Day to have it for merienda<\/em>, or the midday snack around 6 p.m. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Roscones<\/em> can come in several different varieties, all of them delicious. Some are plain and come without any filling. Others contain fresh whipped cream, chocolate truffle cream, or even candied spaghetti squash (it’s better than it sounds!). <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In addition, you’ll find two plastic-wrapped figurines inside the rosc\u00f3n<\/em>: a dried fava bean and a small king-shaped figurine. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you happen to be in the Spanish capital around Three Kings Day, check out where to try the rosc\u00f3n de reyes<\/em> in Madrid<\/a>. Many bakeries and pastry shops will offer it, but these spots are the best of the best!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Los](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/los-reyes-magos-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\nWho are “los reyes magos”?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Celebrating Three Kings Day in Spain today<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
January 5: The Three Kings Day parade<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Los](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/los-reyes-magos-1-1.jpg\")
January 6: The arrival of los reyes magos<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Traditional food for Three Kings Day in Spain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Rosc\u00f3n de Reyes: the Three Kings Day cake<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n