Following the Spanish tradition, the Three Kings, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar visit every 5th of January the villages of Malaga. They have a long night of gifts ahead, but before that, it's time to share millions of sweets and tons of joy through the streets. They are the typical parades of the Three Kings.
On the backs of their camels or climbed in floats, Their Majesties cross the towns and cities of the province of Malaga with colourful parades. It is one of the most special moments of the holiday season and undoubtedly, the most anticipated by the smallest members of the family.
An impressive procession
Multitudinous and amazing. Such is the parade of the Three Kings in Malaga. A procession in which over a dozen spectacular floats participate, leaving an incessant rain of sweets and goodies in the centre of the city.
Accompanied by bands of music, animation groups and fantastic characters, Their Majesties preside over the procession that delights children and adults.
Parades by the sea
As in other towns of the Costa del Sol, the “Royal Postman” settles in Marbella days before the arrival of the Three Kings. Only here he does it in a big way: with a snack where hot chocolate is the protagonist on the 16th of December and with a lively parade ten days later.
On the 5th of January, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar land at the Marina of Marbella and start a ride in vintage cars, which precedes the great parade.
From Nerja to Manilva, through the Rincon de la Victoria or Fuengirola, the magical processions fill with color, music and fantasy every corner of the province of Malaga. And in order to get punctual to their appointments, Their Majesties move by land, sea or air. This is the case of Velez-Malaga, where they arrive by plane.
Parades in the inland Malaga
Although sweets and goodies cannot be missed in any parade, in some, such as the Antequera one, there are also gifts, “mantecados” (one of the most popular and traditional Andalusian sweets at this time of the year) and even pieces of typical bread from the locality: the muffin, ideal to enjoy a good Andalusian breakfast. It is also customary to deliver toys to the youngest of the family in the legendary city of Ronda, one of the most beautiful localities in the country, where the parade of the Three Kings concludes with the Adoration of the Christ Child.
But if there is a locality in Malaga where the visit of the Three Kings is lived in a particular way, that is Archidona. In this town, kids call Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar dragging cans through the streets. A children's party in the Ochavada square and a showy parade set the finishing touch to an exciting day.
