Undoubtedly the most awaited day in Spain (for children) is the Three Kings Parade in Malaga on January 6. During this day, which is a bank Holiday in Spain, children finally receive their long-awaited gifts from the hand of the Three Wise Men from the East.
On the eve of Three Kings Day, in the afternoon of January 5, there is probably no child at home, since everyone is in the streets to see the crowded and colourful Three Kings Parade.
We recommend the Three Kings Parade in Malaga, which is one of the most vibrant and spectacular.
You’ll also find a list of most of the celebrations in the towns along the Costa del Sol.
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Three Kings Parade in Malaga
Do you fancy immersing yourself in a sea of people and children waiting for floats of children’s television characters and other fantasy characters, lots of color, music, confetti and tons of sweets that not only the little ones eagerly throw themselves at?
What makes the Three Kings Parade in Malaga so special
This is one of the most popular events of the year and rivals Holy Week and the August Fair.
On this special day for children, a magical, family-friendly atmosphere combines with the long-standing tradition of this popular event, a central part of the Christmas celebrations in Malaga.
In fact, the first Three Kings Parade in Málaga was in 1923. The procession included most of the elements it has today. Colorful costumes, floats, and marching bands are particularly noteworthy in Malaga.
By the way, 12,000 kilos of sweets will be distributed this year.
Tips for enjoying the parade
As we mentioned, this is a truly massive event that takes place in the heart of Malaga. Whichever way you get to the city centre, you’ll have to contend with huge crowds.
Many streets will be closed to traffic until the parade is over. Keep this in mind if you plan to use public parking in this area, as your car will likely be immobilized for several hours.
The C1 suburban train is ideal if you’re coming from Fuengirola, Benalmadena or Torremolinos. Your stop is Malaga Centro Alameda (600m from Calle Larios). This way you avoid traffic jams completely. But you won’t avoid the crowds, as many people use this form of public transport at this time of year.
It’s also advisable to arrive well in advance. And not just if you want a good spot in the front row to grab candy. The bars and cafes in the city centre are usually packed. So you should allow extra time to get a table for, say, a delicious hot chocolate with churros (or even to use the restroom).
In general, we strongly recommend leaving your dog at home; he’ll thank you for it.
Chairs to watch the Three Kings Parade in Malaga
In Malaga, it’s customary to sell chairs for watching the large Holy Week processions, as well as the Three Kings Parade. The Malaga Brotherhoods Association is in charge of this.
They set up bleachers at strategic points along the route, such as Paseo del Parque, Plaza de la Marina, and Alameda Principal.
If you’re going with family or friends and want to secure a good spot, buying chairs is a great option. Besides enjoying the parade comfortably, you’ll avoid the inevitable commotion on the sidewalks.
Where to buy chairs online
You can buy seats for the Three Kings Parade in Málaga through the official website, with a maximum of 10 seats per user. This year, seat prices range from €9 to €16, including VAT, depending on the row chosen from the four available.
Schedule and route
The Three Kings arrive on January 5th, specifically at 5:30 pm at Malaga City Hall. At 6 pm, the official parade begins, passing through many of the most emblematic locations in the centre of Malaga.
At the end of the parade route, the traditional offering takes place at Malaga Cathedral, featuring a live reenactment of the Epiphany and a concert by the Malaga University Choir.
Parade Itinerary
Malaga Town hall, Avda. de Cervantes, Plaza General Torrijos, Paseo del Parque, Plaza de la Marina, Alameda Principal, Puente de Tetuán, Calle Nazareno del Paso, Calle Hilera, Puente de la Esperanza, Calle Prim, Calle Atarazanas, Calle Puerta del Mar, Alameda Principal, Plaza de la Marina, Cortina del Muelle.
Three Kings Parades on the Costa del Sol
Nerja
The Three Wise Men will visit Nerja on January 5th. They will arrive at 4 pm at the Balcón de Europa and then visit the Church of El Salvador.
From 6 pm onwards, they will parade through the town’s streets, ending at the Balcón de Europa where will take place live performances.
Route of the Three Kings Parade in Nerja
Calle Diputación, Plaza Cavana, Calle Granada, La Ermita, Calle San Miguel, Plaza Cantarero, Calle Pintada, Puerta del Mar, Balcón de Europa.
Torre del Mar
On January 5th, the Three Kings will be parading through the main avenues and streets of Torre del Mar. The parade will begin at 5 pm at the Town Hall and will end in Plaza de la Paz.
Before the parade, the Three Kings will also visit senior citizens’ residences and the hospital in Torre del Mar in the morning. And at noon, a large gathering for children will be held at Plaza Juan Aguilar.
Torremolinos
On January 5th, the Three Wise Men will visit Torremolinos. The parade will depart from Plaza Blas Infante at 5 pm and end there.
Route of the Three Kings Parade in Torremolinos
Calle Rafael Quintana Rosado, Calle Europa, Avenida Isabel Manoja, Avenida de los Manantiales, Plaza Costa del Sol, Avenida Palma de Mallorca, Avenida Joan Miró, Calle Doctor Jiménez Encina, Calle García de la Serna, Calle Rafael Quintana Rosado.
Benalmadena
In Benalmadena, the Three Kings arrive on January 5th at 10 am, disembarking at the Marina. The parade will begin at 12 pm in convertibles on the esplanade next to the Buddhist Stupa.
Itinerary of the Three Kings Parade in Benalmadena
Avda. Juan Luis Peralta, C/ Real, Plaza de España, C/Marbella, C/Gabriel Escobar, Avda. del Chorrillo.
Fuengirola
In Fuengirola, the Three Kings traditionally arrive in a very unique way: by helicopter. Specifically, they will land at the Elola Social and Sports Complex at 4 pm on January 5th. The parade begins at 5 pm on Calle Mallorca and will end on Avenida de los Boliches.
Route of the Three Kings Parade in Fuengirola
Calle Mallorca, Avenida de Mijas, Avenida Juan Gómez Juanito, Camino de Coín, Avenida Condes de San Isidro, Avenida Matías Sáenz de Tejada, Avenida Ramón y Cajal, Avenida de Los Boliches, Plaza Pedro Cuevas.
Mijas
In Mijas, the largest municipality on the Costa del Sol, there will be three parades, one in each of the three main areas: Mijas Pueblo, Las Lagunas and La Cala de Mijas. The processions will feature the royal floats, Christmas entertainment, children’s groups, large-scale animation, brass bands and percussion groups.
Routes of the Three Kings in Mijas
The Three Kings Parades in Mijas will take place at three different times: At 4:30 pm in Mijas Pueblo, at 5 pm in La Cala de Mijas and at 5:30 pm in Las Lagunas de Mijas.
Mijas Pueblo
Avenida Virgen de Peña, Avenida de Méjico, Calle Málaga, Barrio Santana, Plaza de Los Siete Caños, Vía Coín, Plaza de la Constitución, Avenida del Compás and ends at Plaza Virgen de la Peña.
La Cala de Mijas
La Butibamba Park, calle Cártama, calle Marbella, calle Torreón, calle Torremolinos and La Cala boulevard.
Las Lagunas de Mijas
Water park, San Cristóbal, San Bartolomé, San Javier and La Unión streets, Avenida de Mijas, calle Santa Laura, calle Santa Gema, Camino de Campanales, Avenida de Mijas, Camino del Albero, Antonio Machado street, Avenida Miguel Hernández.
Hot chocolate and King Cake
The Mijas Town Hall also invites everyone to enjoy hot chocolate and Roscón de Reyes (“Cake of the Kings”, a typical sweet exclusively of this day) at the three end points of the parades: the Plaza Virgen de la Peña in Mijas Pueblo, the La Cala boulevard and the María Zambrano park in Las Lagunas.
Marbella
On January 5th in Marbella, the festivities begin at 11 am with a visit from the Three Kings to the city’s hospitals. At 6 pm, the grand Three Kings Parade will take place, featuring the Marbella musical group.
Route of the Grand Three Kings Parade
Plaza Monseñor Rodríguez Bocanegra, Avenida Ricardo Soriano, Avenida Ramón y Cajal, Avenida Severo Ochoa.
Estepona
In Estepona, a children’s welcome party for the Three Kings will be held on January 5th at the Fairgrounds starting at 11:30 am. A magician will perform his show, “Magical Christmas.”
The Three Kings Parade will travel through the streets starting at 5 pm. The parade will depart from the Town Hall and end in Plaza Antonia Guerrero.
Parade route
Town Hall, Avenida de Andalucía, Avenida de España, Calle Terraza, Plaza Antonia Guerrero.
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