Cavalcade of Magi facts for kids
The Cavalcade of the Magi is a super fun parade held in many Spanish cities and villages. It's also celebrated in places like Andorra, Argentina, parts of Mexico, and Gibraltar. This special parade features floats carrying the Three Wise Men, also known as the Biblical Magi.
During the parade, the Wise Men – named Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar – ride through the streets. Their helpers, called pages, collect letters from children. These letters are filled with gift wishes for the kings. The pages also throw lots of candy to the excited kids watching the parade! You'll often see dancers, musicians, and other helpers joining the kings.
Contents
What is the Cavalcade of the Magi?
The Cavalcade of the Magi is a big celebration that happens on January 5th, the evening before the holiday of Epiphany. It's a magical night, especially for children.
A Magical Night in Spain
In Spain, after watching the parade, children rush home to get ready for the kings' visit. They clean their shoes and place them out, often with paper cut-outs to make the scene look pretty. Kids also leave out cookies and a drink for the kings to enjoy. And don't forget a bucket of water for their camels!
The next morning, on January 6th, children wake up to find gifts from the Magi. These gifts are usually placed in or around their shoes. It's like a second Christmas! If a child hasn't behaved well during the year, tradition says they might get coal instead of candy. But don't worry, this rarely happens. Sometimes, they might even get candy that looks like coal!
History of the Parade
The very first Cavalcade in Spain was recorded in Barcelona in 1855. But the longest-running parade is in Alcoi, located in the Valencian Country. This parade has been happening every year without stopping since 1866! It's the oldest Cavalcade in the world.
Famous Cavalcades
The huge Cavalcade in Madrid is so popular that it's shown live on TVE 1, which is Spain's main public TV channel. Other regional TV channels also broadcast their local parades. The Cavalcade in Alcoi is a big attraction for people visiting Spain from all over the world.
In smaller towns and villages, Cavalcades might use traditional items like Roman soldiers, shepherds, and camels. Some places have updated their parades to include tractors or fancy cars. But most of the parade usually involves people walking and a few special floats.
Cavalcade Around the World
The Cavalcade tradition has spread beyond Spain. For example, in Poland, the first Cavalcade took place in Warsaw in 2008. By 2016, this parade was celebrated in over 450 Polish cities!
See also
In Spanish: Cabalgata de Reyes Magos para niños
- Liturgical drama
- Medieval theatre
- Mystery play
- Star boys' singing procession
- Santa Claus parade
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "article name needed". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton.
