Madrid, January 6, 2026 – The traditional Three Kings Parade captivated over 200,000 residents and visitors along Paseo de la Castellana on a surprisingly mild evening. The event, a highlight of the Christmas season, paid a heartfelt tribute to teachers, parents, and grandparents, acknowledging their crucial role in fostering a love for learning in children.
A Chilly but Enthusiastic Celebration
Despite temperatures hovering between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill making it feel like -3 degrees, neither rain nor snow deterred the massive crowd. Families, equipped with stools and ladders, lined the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the procession and collect the traditional sweets. Children, armed with plastic bags and upturned umbrellas, enthusiastically shouted for candies, of which over 1,200 kilograms of sugar-free varieties were distributed, emphasizing healthy habits.
The Parade’s Grandeur and Special Moments
The parade featured 15 elaborate floats, accompanied by 250 royal pages and a retinue of 2,100 participants, creating a truly spectacular display. Among the fortunate attendees was young María, who had the unique opportunity to ride as a co-pilot in an antique fire truck from 1949, recently arrived from the Vallecas Firefighters Museum. Her mother, Rosa Jiménez, an administrative assistant for the Fire Department, expressed her joy at being part of such a wonderfully organized event.
This year’s parade embraced sustainability, with the royal floats powered by electricity, and championed the theme of ‘shared knowledge.’ The CEU float, for instance, paid homage to academic attire, with participants donning white tunics and blue togas. Nine-year-old Valeria, participating for the first time alongside her mother Virginia, was so thrilled that the cold was forgotten, despite wearing four layers of clothing underneath her costume.
The Teatro Real’s float was another highlight, featuring 56 hand-painted facades of houses with exotic domes, crafted by 10 volunteers from the utility department. The costumes for this section were inspired by Rossini’s opera ‘The Italian in Algiers,’ with new children’s outfits created from fabric remnants from the theater’s warehouses.
A Message of Learning and Gratitude
Upon their arrival at Cibeles, the Three Kings delivered a poignant speech, honoring educators and caregivers. King Gaspar emphasized, “You, dear boys and girls, are the scientists, artists, and thinkers of tomorrow. Some of you will discover a vaccine that cures diseases. I am sure there is a girl here who will write an unforgettable novel… And for that, you will first have years of study and learning.” He further added, “It is your grandparents and parents who have ignited that desire to learn, but it is your teachers who nurture it. Even if some subjects may seem boring to you sometimes, I assure you that all of them will be useful at some point in your life.”
A Missing Face and Mayoral Remarks
Notably, this year’s King Gaspar was not portrayed by actor Beltrán Iraburu, a change that sparked comments on social media, with some attendees expressing their disappointment. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida welcomed the Magi, thanking them for
