Three Kings (Reyes Magos): gifts, parades and the January calendar

Key rules

• Gift day: Many families open the main gifts on the morning of 6 January.
• Parade: The parade is usually on the evening of 5 January, but your town hall sets the exact time and route.
• Holiday: 25 December, 1 January and 6 January are national holidays, while 24 December and 31 December are normal working days.
• Roscón: Order your roscón ahead, because queues are long on 5 and 6 January.

What happens and when

Three Kings is the main gift day for many Spanish families. The Reyes Magos (Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar) bring presents overnight, so children wake up to them on the morning of 6 January. The parade is the evening before, on 5 January.

The parade (Cabalgata de Reyes)

The Cabalgata de Reyes runs in nearly every town and city on the evening of 5 January. It usually starts between about 17:00 and 19:00 and lasts two to three hours. Floats pass by and people throw sweets to the children, so bring a bag.

• Madrid: it starts around 18:00 and goes through the centre.
• Barcelona: the Kings arrive by boat at the port.
• Alcoy (Alicante): its parade dates from 1885 and is one of the oldest.

Some places hold it on another day, such as the weekend before, or in the morning. The town hall announces routes and times in late December, so check its programme. Arrive early for a good spot on the route.

Gifts

Children write letters to the Kings. On the night of 5 January they leave shoes out, plus water, sweets and milk for the Kings and their camels.

Christmas gifts are also growing, especially in cities and mixed families. Papá Noel (Santa Claus) brings them on 24-25 December. In the Basque Country and Navarre it is Olentzero, and in Catalonia the Tió de Nadal. Many families do both: smaller gifts at Christmas, bigger ones on 6 January. Ask your neighbours or your child's school what is usual locally.

The roscón de Reyes

The roscón de Reyes is a ring-shaped sweet bread topped with candied fruit and sugar. Many are split and filled with cream, truffle or chocolate. Families eat it on 6 January, and in the days before, usually with hot chocolate.

It hides a small figurine, usually a king, and a dried broad bean (haba).

• Whoever finds the figurine is "king" for the day and wears the paper crown.
• Whoever finds the bean pays for the roscón, in many families the following year.
• Some bakeries leave out the bean.

Bakeries (pastelerías) and supermarkets sell it from mid-December. Queues are long on 5 and 6 January, so pre-order.

What is open

6 January is a national holiday, like 25 December and 1 January. In 2026, 6 January falls on a Tuesday. Most shops and offices are closed, and many people take the Monday off too. 24 December and 31 December are normal working days, though some employers give shorter hours. 26 December is a holiday only in some regions, for example Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Your region and town also publish their own calendars each year, so check yours.

The questions below cover the most common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Do Spanish children get gifts at Christmas or on 6 January?

Yes, many families do both, with smaller gifts on 24 or 25 December and the bigger ones on 6 January. The Reyes Magos bring the traditional gifts overnight on 5-6 January, while Papá Noel, Olentzero in the Basque Country and Navarre, or the Tió de Nadal in Catalonia bring gifts at Christmas. Children write letters to the Reyes and leave shoes, plus water, sweets and milk for the Magi and camels.

What time does the Cabalgata de Reyes parade start?

The Cabalgata de Reyes usually starts between about 17:00 and 19:00 on the evening of 5 January and lasts two to three hours. Some towns hold it on a different day or in the morning. Routes and times are announced by the city council in late December.

Is 26 December a public holiday in Spain?

No, 26 December is not a national holiday, but it is a regional holiday in places such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Check your region's calendar for the year, as regions can move or add holidays.