Santa Claus in Spain? El Día de los Reyes Magos instead!
Santa Claus is not celebrated in Spain. Children do not receive gifts until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany (El Dia de Los Reyes Magos) and they are presented not by Santa Claus but by Casper, Melchior and Balthazar.
It is traditional to prepare small refreshments for the wise men and their camels. Usually these include milk, honey, water and something to eat, which are left on the balconies (as well as shoes, which should contain presents). Naughty children instead of gifts
get coal, or actually candies that resemble it in shape, the so-called Carbón de Reyes. This is a kind of equivalent to the Polish rod, although we must admit - much tastier ;).
Spaniards would not be themselves if they did not take advantage of another opportunity to have fun. Events surrounding the celebration of Epiphany begin as early as January 5 in the evening. In all major cities there are lavish parades staging the arrival of the Three Kings, the
so-called Cabalgatas de Reyes. The heroes usually sit on camels or horses and are accompanied by a sizable entourage.
The entire celebration takes place to the accompaniment of loud music. The oldest parade in Spain is organized in the town of Alcoy. The largest, on the other hand, takes place in Madrid. During the march, candy or small gifts for children are usually scattered, and one can also
greet the Three Kings and ask them for their dream gifts.
Nowadays, as with Christmas, one can observe an increasing commercialization of El Día de los Reyes Magos celebrations. Kings usually throw piles of candy to children, and the day itself has lost its religious character, being basically an an excuse to give gifts and have fun.
Casper, Melchior and Balthazar, during the parades, do not take aim at the stable with the baby Jesus, but simply enter the towns. Some towns even struggle to organize the most spectacular procession possible. In Logroño, for example, the kings arrive in the town... by
helicopter and land in the town's stadium!
The Feast of the Epiphany in Spain is also known for its traditional yeast cake Roscón de Reyes. It is shaped like a ring (a symbol of the crown) and is usually decorated with candied fruits resembling the jewels found on the Three Kings' mantles.
There are also two customs associated with the dessert. A person who finds beans in the cake will have to pay for the cake. While eating, one may also come across a figurine of a king - the finder then becomes the king or queen of the house and receives a paper crown.
https://hispanico.pl/swieto-trzech-kroli-w-hiszpanii/
https://twojaszkola.com/el-dia-de-los-reyes-magos-trzech-kroli-w-hiszpanii/
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