THE 3 KINGS

6th of January is the 3 kings. This is a big celebration in Spain.The 3 kings replace Santa Claus for spanish children, as the 6th of January is the day the 3 kings arrived in Bethlehem and gave presents to Jesus. On the evening of the 5th of January throughout Spain there are processions with the 3 kings and floats where sweets and toys are pelted into the crowds and well worth a visit for young and old alike.

SANTIAGO DE LA RIBERA

Head down to Santiago de la Ribera to the beach front "Explanada Barnuevo" and at 6pm the 3 kings are shipped in by boat from across the Mar Menor, there are fireworks and a procession.

TORRE PACHECO, BALSICAS AND ROLDAN

All have 3 kings processions starting at 7pm throughout the centre

SAN JAVIER

At 6pm in the square "Plaza de España" the 3 kings celebrations will start, the townhall will be specially illuminated, there will also be a huge screen in the square with Christams carols on
There will also be giant dolls and the kings will arrive at 7.30pm.

CARTAGENA

The procession here will start at 6pm and run through the following streets: Esparta, Paseo Alfonso XIII, Juan Fernández a Juan XXIII, Sta.Florentina, Carmen, Sagasta, Puerta de Murcia, Mayor y Plaza Ayuntamiento.

MURCIA

The procession in Murcia will start at 6.30pm and run along the following streets: Paseo Corvera, Alameda Colón, Pza. Camachos, Pza. Martínez Tornel, Gran Vía Salzillo, Avda. de la Constitución, Pza. Circular, Alfonso X el Sabio y Avda. Gutiérrez Mellado.

Another tradition for the 3 kings is the eating of the "Roscon de Reyes"

In a way its like our Christmas pudding, because hidden inside the cake is a little trinket and the person who finds it in their slice is supposed to get good luck for the folllowing year, but also has to pay for the Roscon the following year!

On the 4th of January in Murcia there is a Fiesta where you can try a bit of Roscon, which is the Fiesta of the giant Roscon, and it starts at 5pm till 7pm in the Plaza San Bartolome.