On the actual Dia de los Reyes Magos, there is much festivity, with parades, pageants, festivals and family gatherings. Traditional foods include roast pork and coquito, an eggnog-like drink that features cream of coconut, coconut milk, and of course, Puerto Rican rum!Īfter families return home, the children leave out their gifts for the Magi and their camels, and go to bed to await the presents they bring. Many times, there are costumes available for anyone who shows up and wants to take part in the pageant. In the early evening of Vispera de Reyes, most families attend a religious service where the story of the Nativity is acted out by local people. (However, in our family we still got to open our presents on Christmas – our parents didn’t make us wait, happily!) In exchange, the children are given gifts by the Three Kings that evening. On the eve of Three Kings Day (known as Vispera de Reyes) children leave out candy and small gifts for the kings, and a box of straw for their camels. This caroling differs from the Currier & Ives style, though – it is very lively, and usually involves a variety of instruments, drinks and food! Food, Festivities & Traditions of the Day As the evening progresses, people join each other in caroling (known as parrandas) around the neighborhood, stopping from one house to another and gathering more people each time. Families host parties where people all over the neighborhood come in and out visiting. Traditionally, the days leading up to Three Kings Day are full of festivity and celebration. Unlike much of the United States, many Puerto Rican families do not exchange gifts on Christmas Day, but rather wait until Three Kings Day. For most people in Puerto Rico, preparations for Three Kings Day begin as soon as Christmas ends. Three Kings’ Day, also known as Epiphany or Dia de los Reyes Magos, is a celebration of the three kings who brought gifts to Jesus when he was born. But, if you don’t live in Puerto Rico, you may be wondering what, exactly, Three Kings’ Day is, and what the celebration is all about. On the island, this holiday is celebrated with even more elaborate pageantry than Christmas. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion Dia de la Condelaria (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2.One of the most festive holidays of the year in Puerto Rico is Three Kings’ Day, which falls on January 6 every year. Inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Shaped in a circle to signify a king’s crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Known as Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake), this holiday dessert is a symbolic pastry. In addition to gift-giving, there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Three Kings Day, or El Dia de Reyes, remains an important holiday for Catholics. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Three wise men, or Magi as they were known, whose names were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to Christ. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus’ birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the star in Bethlehem. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus’ baptism and to pay homage to the Three Wise Men. The holiday is also known by the name Epiphany and dates back to the 4th century. Rather, it is the Three Wise Men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus isn’t as popular as he is in the United States.
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