Expected date and route for 5 January 2027, based on previous editions. We update this page as soon as the city publishes the official programme.

In Catalonia the presents are not brought by Santa Claus but by the Three Kings, who arrive in Barcelona on the evening of 5 January. The Cavalcada de Reis is the biggest parade of the year: Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar sail into Port Vell, receive the key to the city and ride through the streets on floats, showering the crowd with sweets. It is the closing night of Winter Festival Barcelona and the most magical evening of the winter for families.

The arrival of the Kings at Port Vell

The evening starts at the harbour. Around 16:30 the Kings arrive on the historic schooner Santa Eulàlia at Moll de la Fusta, in front of the Port Vell marina, where they are welcomed by the mayor, who hands them the magic key that opens every door in Barcelona that night. The quays fill up early; families with small children stand along Passeig de Colom and near the Columbus monument for the best view of the boats and the fireworks that greet the Kings.

The parade route and timetable

At around 18:00 the Cavalcada sets off from Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera near Ciutadella park. The route, roughly five kilometres long, follows Passeig d’Isabel II, Via Laietana, Carrer de Fontanella and Plaça de Catalunya, continues along Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and Carrer de Sepúlveda and ends around 21:30 at Avinguda de Maria Cristina at the foot of Montjuïc, where the Kings say goodbye in front of the Magic Fountain. More than a thousand participants, dozens of floats, dancers, musicians and giant puppets take part; the royal pages collect the last letters and the Kings throw tonnes of sweets into the crowd.

Where to stand? Via Laietana and Gran Via are wide and offer room for pushchairs; Plaça de Catalunya is the busiest spot. Arrive an hour early, bring an umbrella turned upside down for catching sweets, and note that the metro and buses around the route are crowded but keep running.

Time (5 Jan)	What happens	Where
16:30	Kings arrive by boat, welcome by the mayor	Moll de la Fusta, Port Vell
18:00	Parade sets off	Av. Marquès de l’Argentera
18:30 – 20:30	Parade passes the city centre	Via Laietana, Plaça de Catalunya, Gran Via
21:30	Finale and farewell	Av. Maria Cristina, Montjuïc

Traditions: letters, carbó and the tortell de Reis

In the days before 5 January children hand their letters to the royal pages (patges reials) at the Fira de Reis and in shopping centres. On the night itself families leave out shoes, water for the camels and a glass of something for the Kings. On the morning of 6 January the presents appear, and children who have been naughty get carbó, sugar coal. Breakfast is the tortell de Reis, a ring-shaped cake with a hidden bean and a figurine: whoever finds the figurine is king for the day, whoever finds the bean pays for the cake. Read more about these customs in our guide to Catalan Christmas traditions.

What else is on: Fira de Reis and the last market days

The Fira de Reis on Gran Via, the Three Kings market, is open until 6 January for last-minute toys and gifts, and the Christmas market at Port Vell with its Ferris wheel stays open through the holiday. On 6 January (Epiphany) shops and most attractions close for the day, so plan your sightseeing for 4 and 5 January or after the holiday. The Sagrada Família and Park Güell are open on 6 January.

Tickets and tours around Three Kings

The days around Three Kings are among the busiest of the winter at the Gaudí sights, and 6 January is a public holiday. Book your Barcelona tickets in advance or combine the highlights with the Barcelona Pass. Current offers:

Hotels along the parade route

A hotel near Via Laietana, Plaça de Catalunya or Gran Via puts you on the parade route, and the Gothic Quarter and El Born are within walking distance of the harbour. Prices go up for the Three Kings weekend, so book early; our guide to hotels during Winter Festival Barcelona compares the neighbourhoods. Check availability on the map:

Booking.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the Three Kings Parade free?

Yes. The Cavalcada de Reis is a free street parade; you can watch from anywhere along the route. Grandstand seats near Plaça de Catalunya and Gran Via are reserved for local families through the city’s ballot.

How long does the parade take to pass?

The full procession takes about 45 minutes to pass a given point. From the first float at 18:00 to the finale at Montjuïc the parade lasts roughly three and a half hours.

Is everything closed on 6 January?

Epiphany is a public holiday: shops, supermarkets and many restaurants are closed. The Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and the Port Vell market are open, and the Fira de Reis is open for its last day.

The Cavalcada de Reis is Barcelona’s answer to Christmas Eve: a whole city on the pavements, children with letters in their hands and a rain of sweets. If you can time your winter trip to include 5 January, do it.

See the Three Kings arrive in Barcelona on 5 January 2027. Book your tickets and hotel now!