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Christmas
Día de Reyes / Three Kings Day (Spain, Latin America)
Also called: Día de los Reyes Magos, Epifanía, La Cabalgata de Reyes
January 6 (fixed)
Catholic
In Spain and most Latin American countries, January 6 (Epiphany) is the traditional gift-giving day, not December 25. The "Wise Men" (Reyes Magos: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar) are believed to deliver gifts to children on the night of January 5–6.
The night before, children leave shoes and sometimes straw (for the camels) by their beds. It usually falls on or around January 6 (fixed).
It is especially important in Catholic traditions. Explore pilgrimage holidays — browse options on Eden.
At a glance
- Type
- national feast
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Global, Latin America
- Themes
- Birth of Christ, Life of Christ
- Liturgical colour
- White, Gold
Common questions
Día de Reyes is observed on January 6 (fixed). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
In Spain and most Latin American countries, January 6 (Epiphany) is the traditional gift-giving day, not December 25. The "Wise Men" (Reyes Magos: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar) are believed to deliver gifts to children on the night of January 5–6. The night before, children leave shoes and sometimes straw (for the camels) by their beds. La Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings' Parade) on the evening
It is associated with Catholic. It falls in the Christmas season of the liturgical year.