51 Phrases For Three Kings Day In Spanish (Dia De Los Reyes) With Examples
You can freely say Merry Christmas in Spanish but Spanish-speaking countries also celebrate Three Kings Day to a certain degree.
Patrick Guide will explain how people celebrate Three Kings Day in Barcelona:
And in this blog post, we’ll give you insights on Three Kings Day in Spanish speaking countries, plus share all the necessary vocabulary and common Spanish expressions related to this Spanish holiday.
1. What is Three Kings Day in Spanish?
Effortless Answers
Three Kings Day, or “Día de los Reyes Magos,” is a popular holiday in many Spanish-speaking countries. Celebrated on January 6th, it marks the end of the Christmas season and commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men — Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar — who brought gifts to baby Jesus.
Dia de los Reyes has different traditions in many Spanish-speaking countries. Let’s start with Spain!
In Spain, the Three Kings Day celebrations start on January 5th with parades called “Cabalgatas“. During this event, the Kings throw candies into the crowd.
A bit different kind of parade or tradition is held in Mexico. There, the families enjoy “Rosca de Reyes“. This special form of the holiday is all about having the family together to enjoy a sweet bread with a figurine of baby Jesus hidden inside.
The finder of the baby Jesus hosts a party on “Día de la Candelaria” that’s held on February 2nd. Surely, it’s a day full of joy, gifts and family time.
2. Celebrate Three Kings Day in Spanish: Cabalgatas, Rosca de Reyes, Día de la Candelaria
So, we already covered what is Three Kings Day, and when you celebrate it. Let’s examine these traditions one-by-one.
Cabalgatas
Cabalgatas are grand parades held on the evening of January 5th, just the night before Three Kings Day.
What are they about?
Well, they have everything that’s need for a great party: floats, Spanish music, performers dress as the Three Wise Men – Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar.
The three Kings ride on beautiful floats, and they throw candies and small gifts into the crowds. The atmosphere is always warm, children wait for their gifts, and whole squares are filled with festive joy and magic.
Cabalgatas is a major event in Spain, but it’s also important in some Latin American countries.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¡Vamos a la cabalgata! | Let’s go to the parade! |
| Los Reyes Magos están en la cabalgata. | The Three Wise Men are in the parade. |
| ¡Mira, están lanzando caramelos! | Look, they are throwing candies! |
| La cabalgata empieza a las siete. | The parade starts at seven. |
| Los niños están emocionados por la cabalgata. | The kids are excited about the parade. |
| Las carrozas son muy bonitas. | The floats are very beautiful. |
| Hay música y luces en la cabalgata. | There is music and lights in the parade. |
| Estoy esperando ver a los Reyes Magos. | I’m waiting to see the Three Kings. |
| La cabalgata pasa por la calle principal. | The parade goes through the main street. |
| ¿Vas a ir a la cabalgata esta noche? | Are you going to the parade tonight? |
Rosca de Reyes
Rosca de Reyes is a…. traditional Spanish food.
It’s a sweet bread that’s annually made and enjoyed on January 6th. It’s circular, decorated with dried fruits and it’s even decorated with a king’s crown.
What’s so special about it?
Inside the Rosca, a tiny figurine of baby Jesus is hidden. When the Rosca is cut, everyone hopes to find the figurine, as it symbolizes luck and blessings.
But the thing is, if you get the bean, it’s said you’ll have to buy the Rosca for next year. And in some regions, the one that find the baby Jesus inside, has to host a party on “Día de la Candelaria” (February 2nd).
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Vamos a cortar la Rosca de Reyes. | Let’s cut the King’s Ring (cake). |
| ¿Quién encontró al niño Jesús en la rosca? | Who found baby Jesus in the cake? |
| Me tocó la figurita del niño Jesús. | I got the baby Jesus figurine. |
| La rosca está deliciosa. | The King’s Ring is delicious. |
| Pasa un trozo de rosca, por favor. | Pass a piece of cake, please. |
| La rosca tiene frutas y azúcar. | The cake has fruits and sugar. |
| Voy a comprar la rosca para el próximo año. | I will buy the cake for next year. |
| Es tradición comer rosca el 6 de enero. | It’s a tradition to eat the King’s Ring on January 6th. |
| Acompañamos la rosca con chocolate caliente. | We pair the King’s Ring with hot chocolate. |
| ¿Quién encontró el haba en la rosca? | Who found the bean in the cake? |
And what’s Día de la Candelaria about? Read on to find out!
Día de la Candelaria
Día de la Candelaria or Candlemas Day is celebrated on February 2nd.
It marks the end of Christmas season and it has close ties to Three Kings Day because the person who found the baby Jesus figurine in the Rosca de Reyes hosts a party.
This day commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary.
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, it’s customary to have a festive meal with tamales and atole (a traditional hot drink).
The celebration includes religious ceremonies, such as bringing candles to church to be blessed, symbolizing light and purification.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Hoy es el Día de la Candelaria. | Today is Candlemas Day. |
| Vamos a celebrar el Día de la Candelaria. | Let’s celebrate Candlemas Day. |
| Tengo que hacer tamales para la fiesta. | I need to make tamales for the party. |
| Vamos a llevar las velas a la iglesia. | Let’s take the candles to the church. |
| La misa de la Candelaria empieza a las seis. | The Candlemas mass starts at six. |
| Es tradición ofrecer tamales y atole. | It’s a tradition to serve tamales and atole. |
| ¿Quién encontró al niño Jesús en la rosca? | Who found baby Jesus in the cake? |
| Voy a organizar la fiesta de la Candelaria. | I will organize the Candlemas party. |
| El 2 de febrero se celebra la Candelaria. | Candlemas is celebrated on February 2nd. |
| Debemos comprar las velas para bendecir. | We need to buy candles for blessing. |
3. Vocabulary for Three Kings Day in Spanish
Three Kings Day has its own Spanish vocabulary.
Here are some common Spanish words and phrases:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Día de los Reyes Magos | Three Kings Day |
| Reyes Magos | Three Wise Men |
| Cabalgata | Parade |
| Rosca de Reyes | King’s Ring (cake) |
| Roscón de Reyes | King’s Ring (alternative spelling) |
| Melchor | Melchior |
| Gaspar | Gaspar |
| Baltazar | Balthazar |
| Regalos | Gifts |
| Zapatos | Shoes |
| Dulces | Sweets/Candies |
| Chocolate caliente | Hot chocolate |
| Tamales | Tamales |
| Día de la Candelaria | Candlemas Day (February 2nd) |
| ¡Feliz Día de Reyes! | Happy Three Kings Day! |
| ¿Qué te trajeron los Reyes? | What did the Kings bring you? |
| Hemos visto la cabalgata. | We have seen the parade. |
| Vamos a partir la Rosca de Reyes. | Let’s cut the King’s Ring (cake). |
| ¿Dónde está el niño Jesús en la rosca? | Where is baby Jesus in the cake? |
| Eres el Rey/Reina por hoy. | You are the King/Queen for today. |
| Dejé mis zapatos para los Reyes. | I left my shoes for the Kings. |
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