The Three Kings parade, or cabalgata de Reyes, represents the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, usually on the evening before 6 January. It is one of the most family-centred gatherings in the Christmas calendar: people head into the streets to welcome the Kings.
What cabalgata means
The Spanish DLE dictionary links cabalgata with a celebratory procession involving people, mounts and carts. In the Three Kings version, the occasion is the arrival of the Magi. The word describes the procession format, rather than identical staging in every town.
To understand a local version, look at who takes part, how the arrival is announced and where the procession ends. Music, attendants and the final gathering may vary. The municipal programme supplies the detail for that edition.
Alcoy’s example
Turisme Comunitat Valenciana places Alcoy’s parade on 5 January and highlights its royal pages, who climb long ladders to balconies to deliver presents. This is one of the images that makes the celebration recognisable.
That feature belongs to the Alcoy example; it should not be assumed when visiting another town’s parade. Comparing programmes shows how different places tell the same arrival story in different ways.
Alicante and the Vinalopó
Elda Tourism explains that the torchlight descent from Bolón announces the Kings’ arrival before the parade. It offers a Vinalopó example to compare with Alcoy while keeping the two traditions distinct.
When planning an outing from Aspe or another Vinalopó town, check the route, access points and any changes announced by the organiser. The usual date provides a starting point; locations and timings for individual sections need local information.
If you are going as a group, choose somewhere to meet afterwards. With children, pushchairs and several families, deciding in advance makes leaving the parade easier.
Food before or after
For associations and committees, a meal around the parade needs to fit its route. An earlier snack lets everyone leave together; dinner afterwards needs a window for people to return. Settle the event timing before the meal timing, and tell the kitchen about any change to the meeting point.
A snack before setting off and dinner after returning need different timings. If you are coordinating an association gathering around the Three Kings parade, explore our local fiesta catering and request a quote with your chosen meal time and meeting point.
Related terms
See also: Moorish and Christian entrance (entrada) · Comparsa · Cuartelillo.