Epiphany parades, known in Spain as Cabalgatas de Reyes, are one of the most colorful and joyous events in the entire holiday calendar. on the evening of January 5, the streets of towns and villages are transformed into stages for spectacular parades that attract children and adults alike. The tradition combines religious, cultural and entertainment elements to create an unforgettable atmosphere that remains in the memory for a long time.
The Magic of Epiphany in Spain
The Three Kings - Melchior, Cacper and Balthazar - are the characters who, according to Christian tradition, brought gifts to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. In Spain, it is they, not Santa Claus, who play the main role in giving gifts to children. On the evening of January 5, colorful parades (Cabalgatas de Reyes) are held in towns and villages, during which the Kings travel on camels, distributing sweets to crowds of assembled children and adults.
In major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, parades are true artistic spectacles. Kings travel on richly decorated platforms, surrounded by dancers, acrobats and musicians. Often the parades include live animals, such as camels or horses, which adds authenticity to the event and emphasizes the historical context of the holiday.
In Barcelona, the Three Kings arrive by boat at the port, where they are greeted by crowds of citizens. In Madrid, on the other hand, the royal procession ends in front of the Royal Palace, where the kings make their good wishes to those gathered.
In such cities, parades draw crowds, so it's a good idea to show up well in advance to get a good spot along the parade route. In smaller towns, parades are more intimate, but equally charming. These are often events involving the local community, where neighbors, schools or local organizations participate in the parade. The kings often have direct contact with children, making the atmosphere more family-oriented and friendly.
One of the most anticipated moments of any parade is the throwing of candy and small gifts by the Three Kings and their procession. Colorful candy flies toward the assembled crowd, and children, armed with bags and baskets, happily collect the little treasures. Sometimes special carts with mountains of candy take part in the parades, and each cart makes sure that no one runs out of anything.
It is worth remembering to dress children in comfortable shoes and warm clothes, especially in regions of Spain where winters can be cold. Bringing a small umbrella “upside down” is a clever way to catch as much candy as possible!
In order for parades to take place safely, many streets in cities and towns are blocked off several hours before the parade begins. Organizers try to give advance notice of traffic changes, but it's worth it:
- Check local announcements on social media, city hall websites or local newspapers.
- Look for signs warning of a parking ban - they usually appear the day before, and ignoring them can result in your vehicle being towed away.
- Finding a parking space near the parade route can be a challenge, so it is recommended to get there on foot, by bicycle or using public transportation.
Rosc贸n de Reyes - a sweet symbol of the holiday
An integral part of the Epiphany celebration is Rosc贸n de Reyes, a traditional cake that successfully combines the flavors and symbolism of the holiday.
What does Rosc贸n de Reyes look like? Rosc贸n de Reyes is a round yeast dough with a delicate, slightly citrus flavor, often filled with cream (cream or chocolate fillings are the most popular). Its distinctive feature is the decoration: colorful candied fruits, which symbolize royal jewels.
Fun with figures and beans The biggest attraction of Rosc贸n de Reyes is the figurine and beans hidden inside. Each person taking part in the celebration breaks off a piece of the cake, and the one who finds the figurine becomes the “king” or “queen” of the evening and wears the paper crown that always accompanies the cake. However, there is another side to this tradition - the person who comes across the bean must... pay for the Rosc贸n de Reyes!
What do the elements of the cake symbolize?
- The round shape of the cake - is supposed to resemble a royal crown, and symbolize unity and infinity.
- Figurine (usually the figure of Epiphany or baby Jesus) - is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. The person who finds it is guaranteed a good year.
- Bean - finding her is a humorous “punch” that reminds us that fate is not always kind to us.
Tradition of sharing Rosc贸n de Reyes
Rosc贸n de Reyes is not only a sweet treat, but more importantly an occasion to celebrate together. Families, friends and neighbors gather to share the cake together and enjoy the moments with their loved ones. There is an atmosphere of joy and laughter at the table, especially when someone finds the beans!
A holiday full of joy and tradition
D铆a de los Reyes Magos is a holiday that brings generations together in Spain. Parades, gifts and Rosc贸n de Reyes create unforgettable moments for children and adults. It's also an opportunity to remember the magic of celebrating together, sharing and celebrating traditions.
If you're ever in Spain in January, be sure to attend the Three Kings parade and try Rosc贸n de Reyes. Maybe you'll be the one to find a figurine and become the king or queen of the evening?
Recipe for Rosc贸n de Reyes
Engredients For leavening:
- 70 g bread flour (high gluten type)
- 40 ml of warm milk
- 10 g fresh yeast
For the main cake:
- 400 g bread flour (high gluten type)
- 120 ml of warm milk
- 20 g fresh yeast
- 2 eggs
- 100 g of sugar
- 60 g of butter (at room temperature)
- Peel grated from 1 orange and 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For decoration:
- 1 beaten egg (to spread on the dough)
- Pearl sugar or sugar moistened with a few drops of water
- Candied fruits (cherries, oranges, etc.)
- Almond flakes
Step-by-step instructions Leaven: In a bowl, mix flour, milk and yeast. Form a ball and put it in warm water. When it floats (about 15 min), it is ready. Main Dough: In a large bowl, mix flour, milk, eggs, sugar, citrus peels, orange blossom water, salt and yeast. Add the starter. Knead for 10-15 minutes. Add butter in batches and knead for another 10-15 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise (about 2 hours). Forming: When the dough has doubled in volume, degass it and form a ball. Make a hole in the center and stretch, forming a ring. Place on a baking sheet with baking paper. You can hide inside the “surprise” and “bean” wrapped in foil. Cover and set aside for 1 hour. Decoration: Brush the rosc贸n with beaten egg. Decorate with candied fruits, sugar and almonds. Baking: Bake at 180潞C for 20-25 minutes, until golden. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil. Cool on the griddle after baking. Optional filling: Once cooled, you can cut the rosc贸n in half and stuff it with whipped cream, pastry cream or truffle cream.
Tradition: A small figurine (surprise) and a broad bean are hidden inside the rosc贸n. Whoever finds the figurine becomes king of the table, and whoever finds the broad bean pays for another rosc贸n.
