Their Royal Majesties Gaspar, Baltasar and Melchor arrive on all corners of Lanzarote on 5th January, bringing peace, joy, fantastic robes and thousands of boiled sweets.
Although more and more Spanish kids receive gifts from Santa, it’s the Three Kings who have traditionally brought Christmas presents here, and they do it on the night of the 5th January, long after much of the rest of the world has forgotten about Christmas.
The Three Kings are an ancient tradition, but recently in Spain their identities have been adapted to reflect the influence of the church in three of the world’s continents.
Gaspar is an old European King, usually portrayed as a white man with a white beard. His gift is Gold.
Melchior is a middle-aged King from Asia, with a dark beard and often wearing Arabian-influenced costumes. His gift is frankincense.
Baltasar is usually portrayed as a young black King from Africa. In the past this would often involve a council worker smearing his face with burnt cork or boot polish, but more recently the job has been given to a local from the Spanish/African community. His gift is myrrh.
In each municipality, the Kings will arrive and do a whistle stop tour of local villages, parading on camels or in pen-topped vehicles, throwing boiled sweets to crowds of children. Before or after the parade, they will stop to receive the letters of children, who will then head to bed dreaming of what awaits them next morning.
The official Three Kings programs are yet to be announced by the local councils, however, here is last year’s schedule which will be almost identical:
ARRECIFE
6pm: The largest parade on the island will depart from Puerto Naos and head to the Parque Islas Canarias.
HARÍA 7pm: Parade in Haría, starting from the Ayuntamiento building.
SAN BARTOLOMÉ
5pm: Guacimeta Esplanade, Playa Honda.
7.30pm: San Bartolomé, from secondary school to Ayuntamiento.
TEGUISE
9am onwards: Tour of the municipality, arriving at Costa Teguise at 12.25pm. Parade in La Villa de Teguise at 7pm.
6.30pm: Parade in Caleta de Sebo, La Graciosa.
TÍAS
11.30am: The Kings will arrive by boat at Puerto del Carmen’s harbour before parading from C/Teide to C/ Los Afrechos.
6pm: Parade in Tías from roundabout at C/Perez Galdos/ Avenidad Central to Calle Libertad, followed by letter collection at the football ground.
TINAJO
5.30pm: Parade starts at football ground and ends at plaza de San Roque.
YAIZA
12 midday: Parade in Yaiza, from Galeria de Yaiza to Plaza de los Remedios. 6pm: Parade in Playa Blanca, from roundabout near bus station to Plaza de Nuestra Señora de Carmen.
