Three Kings Day is a religious holiday celebrated by many Christians, mainly across Latin America and Europe. Also known as Epiphany, the holiday is celebrated annually on January 6th, which is recognized as the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The purpose of the holiday, as believed by some Christians, is to recognize the day that the Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings, first saw baby Jesus and brought gifts to him. As National Geographic describes it, the holiday is “a chance for Christians to reflect on the nature of God’s physical manifestation on earth and pay homage to three important visitors in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth.” 

Giving Gifts 

There are different traditions depending on the place of celebration. One of the most well-known, is the tradition of children leaving out their shoes on the night of January 5th, in the hopes that the Three Wise Men will leave gifts for them. Often times, they leave wish lists inside the shoes, much like how some children create wish lists for Santa Claus. In Puerto Rico, it is not uncommon for children to leave a box filled with hay under their beds, out of anticipation of their arrival. The hay is placed there by the children so that the Kings’ camels will be fed. 

Rosca de Reyes: A Traditional Treat 

Like most holidays, Three King’s Day has its own special foods to enjoy. One of them is traditionally made in Mexico, and is called “Rosca de Reyes,” which is also known as “King’s Cake” or “King’s Wreath.” The treat itself is really a type of bread with a texture similar to cake, and it is formed into the shape of a circle. This is sometimes thought to represent the shape of a crown. The cake is sweet, and often has an orange-y taste, paired with other fruity flavors from the dried fruit placed upon the finished product. One of the most unique parts about this treat, is the inside. Usually, there is some sort of plastic figurine (often shaped like baby Jesus) hidden within. In some places, whoever receives the piece of Rosca de Reyes with the figurine, is responsible for hosting a party on February 2nd which is the day to celebrate Candlemas. Depending on how one views hosting parties, this could be either a good or bad thing. 

More Than One Way to Celebrate 

While some may choose to celebrate Three King’s Day in the comfort of their own home, others choose to celebrate by attending one of the numerous events associated with the holiday. It is not uncommon to attend events such as Three King Day parades and parties. Disneyland in California also hosts its own celebration from January 2nd-8th “featuring traditional décor and a photo opportunity,” according to their website.  

No matter how those who celebrate choose to do so, it is clear that what are among the most important things, are recognizing the importance and meaning of the holiday, and spending quality time with loved ones. 

Sources Used: 

https://nationaltoday.com/three-kings-day/ 

https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/christmas-ideas/what-is-three-kings-day/ 

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/three-kings-day#:~:text=At%20the%20end%20of%20the,children%20get%20their%20Christmas%20presents. 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/epiphany-three-kings-day-why-how-we-celebrate 

https://www.abc10.com/article/life/holidays/epiphany-2021-everything-you-need-to-know-about-3-kings-day/103-98e5510c-8b3f-4969-94db-0d49c3e53f77 

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/three-kings-day/