Valencia Trader

Spanish Christmas Traditions

On 5th January, the three Wise Men parade through the streets of cities, towns and villages all over Spain in traditional cavalcades. Their camels loaded with presents, they go through the streets handing out sweets, accompanied by their royal pages. Little by little the colourful floats go by, entertaining all the family.   The three wise men arrive at Valencia's Harbour via the main streets.

The parade in Alcoi, Alicante, is particularly outstanding - it is Spain's oldest.

When night falls, children go to bed early to wait for Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar to come in through the window and leave presents in their shoes.  The children receive their presents on 6 January.

After this it is the culinary tradition, the eating of the Roscon de Reyes.  This is a thin ring shaped bread roll decorated with candied fruit, which symbolise emeralds and rubies worn the the three kings.  Inside the roll is a surprise, and the person who finds it becomes King of the house.  There is also a broad bean and whoever finds that gets to buy the Roscon the next year!