Three Kings Day (DĂa De Los Tres Reyes Magos) on January 6th is a huge celebration here in Puerto Rico; even more so than Christmas Day for a lot of families.
The day celebrates The Three Kings, Melchor, Baltazar and Gaspar who followed the Star of Bethlehem to visit the Baby Jesus to offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Like other Spanish cultures here in Puerto Rico children write lists (similar to Santa’s list) for gifts they would like to receive from The Three Kings. On the night of January 5th children decorate boxes and fill them with grass for the camels to eat and leave them at the foot of their beds.
During the night The Three Kings visit each house đ and leave presents for the children and parents if they are lucky.
During Three Kings Day families gather for a huge celebration with traditional Puerto Rican Christmas foods, music and more.
Along with family gatherings each town will host their own Three Kings celebration either on the 6th of January or on the days leading up to the 6th. These events may include. Parades, Live Entertainment, Family Actives, Visits from The Three Kings and toys for the children.
For 2020 here are a few Three Kings Day Events (Fiestas de Reyes) happening around Puerto Rico:
Friday Jan 3, 2020
Naranjito, 12-6pm, Plaza Publica
Museo de Arte de PR, 10am – 5pm, San Juan
Rincon, 10am Plaza La Amistad
Carolina, 9AM – 1PM Parque Julia de Burgos / Centro de Servicios Municipales de Barrazas (787-757-2626 x8195)
Morovis, 3:30pm Plaza del Quinto Centenario
Saturday Jan 4, 2020
- Juana DĂaz, Plaza PĂșblica RomĂĄn Baldorioty de Castro (787-260-0817)
- Toa Alta, 1-7pm Plaza PĂșblica (787-870-2100)
- Toa Baja, 3-10pm Plaza PĂșblica Virgilio DĂĄvila (787-261-0202)
- Añasco, 12-6pm Plaza PĂșblica (787-826-3100)
- Cayey, 1-6pm Estadio Pedro Montañez
- Jayuya, 10am Complejo Deportivo Filiberto GarcĂa
Sunday Jan 5, 2020
- Juana DĂaz, Plaza PĂșblica RomĂĄn Baldorioty de Castro (787-260-0817)
- Isabela, 9am – 8pm Plaza Manuel MarĂa Corchado y Juarbe (787-248-3549)
- San Juan, 11am Parque Luis Muñoz MarĂn
Monday Jan 6, 2020
- Juana DĂaz, Plaza PĂșblica RomĂĄn Baldorioty de Castro (787-260-0817)
- Old San Juan (la Fortaleza Celebration), 8am – 3pm Plaza del Quinto Centenario
- Isabela, 9am – 8pm Plaza Manuel MarĂa Corchado y Juarbe (787-248-3549)
As Three Kings Day is a main holiday here in Puerto Rico shops will close early on January 5th and the majority will be closed on January 6th, though you will be able to find some places open, especially in tourist areas. As for restaurants this will be hit or miss, so plan ahead and check Facebook pages for announcements.
For tourists; El Yunque will be open, El Morro and San Cristobal Forts in Old San Juan will be open. For other popular attractions, contact them to see if they are open and what the operating times will be.
Christmas is a magical time here in Puerto Rico and Three iIngs Day is even more special.
