Three Kings (Reyes) in Tenerife: The 5 January Parades and 6 January Holiday

In Tenerife, the Three Kings — Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar — arrive on the evening of 5 January, with a Cabalgata de Reyes parade in almost every town, and 6 January (a public holiday) is when Spanish children open their presents. For many local families it’s a bigger day than Christmas.

The Cabalgata de Reyes parades (5 January)

On the evening of 5 January, the Kings ride through town on floats with pages, bands and dancers, throwing sweets to the crowds. Children hand over their letters and leave shoes out that night for presents.

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the island’s biggest parade travels along the capital’s main avenues on the evening of 5 January, as the finale of the city’s Christmas programme.
• Puerto de la Cruz: the Kings’ arrival is a highlight of the town’s Christmas programme, along with visits from the Royal Pages in the days before.
• The south: Arona (Los Cristianos), Adeje, Granadilla (El Médano), San Miguel and other towns hold their own parades, usually in the late afternoon or early evening.
• Candelaria, La Laguna, La Orotava and other northern towns have parades too.

Exact routes and times are published by each town hall in late December. Arrive 30–60 minutes early for the main parades.

6 January

Día de Reyes is a public holiday. Families gather for lunch and roscón de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread with a hidden figure and bean. Most shops are closed; resort bars and restaurants open as normal. The January sales begin on 7 January.

Tips for families

1. Bring a bag for the sweets — children collect plenty.
2. Keep little ones close in the crowds at the big parades.
3. Parking is difficult in town centres; use buses or taxis where you can.
4. Many hotels in the south hold their own Three Kings visits for children.

After Reyes, the next big event is carnival: see the Santa Cruz carnival 2027 guide.