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Tonight is the most magical night in Barcelona - the parade of the Three Kings - Los Reyes Magos. My favorite night of the year. A night where you relive the whimsy and wonder of being a child.
My children (girl & boy in cape) and their friend on the way to parade
In Spain, Los Reyes Magos are bigger than Santa Claus. And thank goodness, The Three Kings haven't been commercialized to death here. Or at least, in comparison to the commercialization of Santa in the USA. During the holiday season, children write letters to Los Reyes Magos. Throughout the city, there are royal mailboxes to collect their letters. Although, my children prefer to deliver their letters to the royal post during the parade. Near the royal mail floats, people reading lists of addresses throughout the city for the Kings to make gift deliveries. During the parade, young children can surrender their pacifiers to royal collectors as a right of passage.
Each King has a royal entourage with costumes and music that represent homeland of each king - Melchior from Europe, Caspar from Asia and Balthazar from Africa. Royal attendants toss tons of candy to the children along the parade route.
Next up, is a float with some sort of Mr. Sandman, reminding the children to be in bed early if they want the Kings to deliver presents. The final section of the parade, the coal factory float, is the last reminder of what happens to children who have been naughty or don't go to bed on time.
Words do not do the beauty of the parade justice. And my pictures do not either. But you'll get the idea.
:: More Information about Three Kings/ Los Reyes Magos ::
- 2013 Los Reyes Magos Parade Information
- Watch the journey of the Three Kings to Barcelona
- About The Three Kings on OrangePolkaDot and 2010 Parade
