La Laguna Gears Up for Grand Three Kings' Day

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is getting ready for one of its most special days of the year this coming Monday, January 5th, when the Three Wise Men from the East will visit. To celebrate this magical occasion, the City Council's Festivities Department has planned a full schedule of events. Children will have the chance to give their letters directly to the Three Kings and their royal entourages.

Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez said that "this celebration, full of tradition and magic, will be the grand finale to our Christmas program. This year, the program has once again seen huge public support, with people enjoying our street lights, the Christmas Plaza, the Santa Claus Parade, and the Royal Camp, which is expected to welcome 21,000 visitors."

La Laguna's Councillor for Festivities, Dailos González, explained the day's schedule. Three Kings' Day kicks off at 11:00 AM with the traditional reception of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar by the Mayor and local councillors in the Plenary Hall. Starting at 10:30 AM, families can also enjoy entertainment outside the City Hall, provided by the Habemus Teatro company.

After this official welcome, a short procession will make its way from the arch of lights on Obispo Rey Redondo street to the Church of La Concepción. Here, the Three Kings will meet the youngest children and collect their letters. They will be joined by children's characters, a fanfare, camels, royal entourages, and postal workers.

The morning events will finish at the church, where Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar will greet the crowd from the specially decorated tower balconies. To conclude, Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez will present the Three Wise Men with the city's magical keys, helping them with their important work during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The day's activities resume at 5:00 PM with the traditional Adoration of the Three Wise Men to the Child Jesus of the Afflicted, held at the Royal Sanctuary of Christ. An hour and a half later, at 6:30 PM, the main event of Monday will begin: La Laguna's Grand Three Kings' Parade. This parade is the oldest in the Canary Islands and the third longest-running in Spain, having started in 1912.

The parade will start on Santo Domingo street, then go along Obispo Rey Redondo, Hermanos Marrero, and Herradores streets. For the first time ever, it will finish on Heraclio Sánchez street. This new route is designed to be more accessible and safer than in previous years.

As in previous years, the first part of the parade (from Santo Domingo street to the start of Obispo Rey Redondo street) will be silent. This is to ensure people with autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivities can enjoy it. There will also be a dedicated area for people with reduced mobility under the arch of lights on Carrera street (also known as Obispo Rey Redondo street). The City Council's Department of Social Welfare and Quality of Life has been crucial in making these arrangements.

The royal procession will feature over 400 participants and twelve floats. These floats will be decorated with various themes, including children's movies, dinosaurs, volcanoes, and traditional elements like the royal entourages and coal-carrying floats. Expect to see superheroes, dance groups, glowing inflatable figures, royal pages, musical bands, stilt walkers, jugglers, and other festive characters, along with more surprises.

For those wanting to continue the celebrations, the Christmas Plaza del Cristo will host live music and food tastings from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

The Festivities Department will be keeping an eye on the weather forecast for Monday. Should there be any changes to the schedule, the public will be informed through La Laguna City Council's official communication channels.