Spain’s Three Kings’ Day tradition celebrates the Three Magi, the visitors who bring gifts to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
The Spanish name for the festival is Día de los Reyes Magos, and it is observed on 6 January. In Spanish-speaking communities, the Three Magi—traditionally named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar—are major gift-bringing figures. Children may write letters to them and receive presents on the feast day.
Many Spanish towns and cities hold a cabalgata, or parade, on the evening of 5 January. Participants portray the Magi, who travel through the streets on floats and distribute sweets. Families commonly eat roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread associated with the celebration.
The Three Magi are sometimes called kings, although the biblical text describes them as magi rather than giving their number or names. The number three is traditionally linked to the three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.