January 5th each year sees the celebration of Los Reyes Magos or the Three Kings and is a major event in any Spanish Childs Diary.
The three kings celebration is basically a twist on Father Christmas giving the presents and to me it makes more sense. Instead of Father Christmas being the present provider it is the three kings, Melchor, Gasper and Balthazar who give the gifts.
If you head to Malaga for the Three Kings Festival you need to be parked and in place by 5pm. This is when the Three Kings arrive in the Port are greeted by the Mayor.
Generally the procession leaves Malaga Port at 1730 and slowly winds its way through the streets of the City center heading towards the Town Hall. On the way the Three Kings are busy throwing out gifts, sweets and toys to the thousands of people who have lined the route.
In Spain unlike UK it is customary to give each other gifts on January 6th so the Three Kings celebration is a good opportunity to join in the fun before heading off and taking advantage of the late night shopping that is on offer, to buy any last minute gifts.
These processions and celebrations are duplicated in every town and City in Spain with the largest and busiest parades being found in Madrid and Barcelona.
In Madrid the procession makes its way from El Retiro Park and makes its way to Plaza Mayor. It is estimated that up to 7000 kilos of sweets are giving out in the Madrid Procession alone
