The scent of anticipation hung heavy in the crisp Madrid air yesterday evening, January 5th, 2026. As the clock edged past 6 PM, a vibrant procession began its journey along the Paseo de la Castellana. This year’s Three Kings Parade, a cherished tradition in the Spanish capital, was more than just a spectacle of lights and floats; it was a testament to enduring family bonds and a celebration of wisdom, drawing an estimated 200,000 Madrileños who braved the biting cold.
The Arbizu Family: A Ladder to Tradition
For almost four decades, one family has stood out amidst the throngs of eager spectators: the Arbizu family. Their secret weapon? A towering, six-step metal ladder, a singular item dedicated exclusively to this annual event. “No one has a taller one than us,” proudly declared Carlos Torija Arbizu, 48, as he and his family, including his twin sister Paloma, gathered at the Delicias Renfe station. The ladder, usually on loan to their building’s concierge, is sacrosanct for this one night, a symbol of their unwavering commitment to the parade.
The Arbizus, residents of the Arganzuela district, are seasoned veterans. They know the prime viewing spot is always near the National Library. Their mission is clear: to collect the coveted soft candies, those with “sugar on the outside and jelly on the inside,” as 9-year-old Marcos, Carlos’s nephew, expertly described them. By the end of the night, they expected to amass nearly a kilogram of these sugary treasures.
Their journey to the parade route wasn’t without its hurdles. A tense wait for a delayed train at Atocha, followed by a miraculously squeezed entry onto an overcrowded replacement, only heightened the anticipation. But as Paloma shared their live location, the relief was palpable: they had once again secured their coveted front-row position.
A Parade of Wisdom and Sustainability
Organized by the Madrid City Council, this year’s parade, themed ‘Shared Knowledge,’ came with a hefty two-million-euro budget. The procession featured approximately 2,100 participants and distributed a staggering 1,200 kilograms of sweets. The frigid temperatures, with a wind chill factor of -2 degrees Celsius, did little to dampen the spirits of the thousands of families lining the streets.
Among the numerous floats, one from Madrid Calle 30, the company managing the city’s ring road, stood out with its futuristic design. Its participants, clad in silver ponchos that evoked images of space, emphasized their desire for neutrality in a world often fraught with division. “Neutrality, neutrality is what we want, given how things are,” explained José Antonio Ruiz, one of the organizers, highlighting the company’s recent transition to being 100% municipal.
Beyond the Spectacle: A Community United
As the floats glided past, the air was filled with children’s excited shouts of “Here, here, here!” Yet, the parade offered more than just entertainment. It was a moment for shared experience and reflection. José Luis Moleiro, 47, a father of two, found himself engrossed in news from Venezuela, a poignant reminder of the wider world even amidst the festive atmosphere.
However, it was the city’s firefighters, with their blaring sirens, who truly captivated the crowd, their presence eliciting cheers and applause. As the parade moved past Colón, several members of the procession spotted Marcos and his cousins, Raúl and Lorena, perched high on the Arbizu family ladder, a beacon above the sea of heads. Candies rained down upon them, collected with practiced efficiency by Carlos, Paloma, and their sister-in-law, Laura Fernández, 45, in a well-oiled, multi-generational operation.
Paloma reflected on the deep-rooted reasons behind their annual pilgrimage. “All of this, our coming year after year with such excitement, has an explanation,” she shared. Her father passed away when she was a child, leaving her mother, María Antonia, and grandmother, also María Antonia but affectionately known as “Ami,” to raise the family. Ami, who will turn 100 in 2026, became the bedrock of their close-knit family, a matriarch who fostered an unbreakable bond among her six children, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. “She is what holds this together,” Paloma stated, adding that they would bring the collected candies to Ami as a token of their enduring love and gratitude.
Meanwhile, young Marcos had his own plans for the magical night. He intended to set up a video camera on the terrace, hoping to capture the arrival of the Three Kings and unveil their true identities before even opening his presents. But first, a more immediate concern: a plea to his mother to remove his braces, so he could fully savor the parade’s sweet offerings.
The Madrid Three Kings Parade, with its blend of tradition, community spirit, and childlike wonder, once again proved to be a magical start to the new year, leaving countless memories and, for the Arbizu family, a mountain of delicious candies.
Source: [elpais.com](https://elpais.com/espana/madrid/2026-01-05/la-cabalgata-de-madrid-vista-desde-la-escalera-gigante-de-la-familia-arbizu-rodriguez.html)
