Three Kings Day 2027 (Cabalgata de Reyes): Madrid & Barcelona

Cabalgata de Reyes 2027 — confirmed and pattern

What to expect

• Both parades are free to watch from the street, with the best (and most crowded) spots along the main route filling up well before the stated start time.
• Sweets are thrown from the floats by the tonne in both cities — bring a bag if travelling with children, as this is a genuine expectation of the parade, not incidental.
• Three Kings Day itself (6 January) is a public holiday in Spain — expect many shops and some attractions to be closed, with the focus firmly on family time and present-opening rather than tourism.

Planning your visit

Madrid's confirmed route runs along Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo de Recoletos — both wide boulevards with metro stops (Nuevos Ministerios, Colón) at multiple points along the way for an easy exit once the parade passes.

Barcelona's Port Vell arrival draws large harbourside crowds early; arriving by mid-afternoon secures a view of the boat arrival as well as the parade itself later on.

• Things to do in Madrid
• Things to do in Barcelona

When is Spain's Three Kings parade in 2027?

The evening of 5 January 2027, the night before the 6 January Epiphany public holiday. Madrid's route and timing (6:30–9pm) are officially confirmed; Barcelona's exact 2027 route had not yet been published at time of research.

Is Three Kings Day bigger than Christmas in Spain?

For gift-giving, often yes — many Spanish families give the main presents on the morning of 6 January (Three Kings Day / Epiphany) rather than Christmas Day, making the Cabalgata de Reyes the night before a major event for children.

What is Madrid's Three Kings parade route?

Confirmed for 5 January 2027, 6:30–9pm: Plaza San Juan de la Cruz, along Paseo de la Castellana, past Plaza de Colón and Paseo de Recoletos, finishing at Plaza de Cibeles.