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Traditional Three Kings Parade to celebrate The Epiphany
Each year throughout Mallorca and Spain the eve of The Epiphany is celebrated with the Christian Parade of the Three Kings. The Kings represent the three wise men who followed a star to find the baby Jesus, bringing with them the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Their journey is re-created on the evening of 5th January with a popular parade and a carnival atmosphere.
The main parade on Majorca is the one in Palma, where the Three Kings begin their journey by the old port of La Llonja on the promenade Sagrera at 6pm. The route taken will follow Avenue Antoni Maura, Passeig Borne, Plaza Joan Carles I, C/Unió, La Rambla, Via Roma, C/Bisbe Campins, C/Cerdanya, Paseo Mallorca, Avenue Jaime III, Plaza Joan Carles I, Passeig Borne, Plaza de la Reina before finishing in Plaza Cort at 9pm. Throughout the route, diabetic-friendly sweeties will be handed out to the waiting crowds.
The parade consists of floats for each of the Kings, each accompanied by 'royal pages', musicians and dancers. The parade will include a special train that provides small gifts for children, and a float that acts as Santa's sleigh to which children can deliver their Christmas wish lists. Children in Spain have to wait until The Epiphany on the 6th January before they can open their presents, and the parade on the 5th gives them a last chance to make their requests!
The parade is very well attended and it is advisable to park your car away from the Three Kings route. This year, the organisers have arranged for seating to be available for the disabled, pregnant women, sick children and the elderly. Passeig Mallorca, Plaça Weyler, Via Roma and Plaça la Reina will have seating for about 170 people with disabilities, children with any type of serious illness will be able to use a covered tent on the plaza Joan Carles I, and 630 seats will be reserved for elderly and pregnant women on the Paseo Mallorca and La Rambla.
Other towns in Majorca also celebrate the Three Kings - Arta, Alcudia, Felanitx, Capdepera, Campanet, Sa Pobla, Ariany, Vilafranca del Bonnay. Pick up a copy of the local newspaper Majorca Daily Bulletin for further details.
