Kings on swallows and shows with acrobatic bikes: this is what the parade in Barcelona will be like

BarcelonaBarcelona is all set for the Three Kings' Parade. Page Gregori is already in the Catalan capital finalizing the details of a parade that will include a few surprises. For starters, it will maintain its route from recent years. Despite the reopening of Via Laietana after three years of construction, the procession will once again pass along Avinguda del Paral·lel and Ronda de Sant Pau this year. As is tradition, Their Majesties will arrive at the Portal de la Paz at 4:30 p.m., although this year they will not arrive aboard the Santa Eulàlia schooner. Instead, in a nod to the city's history, they will arrive on the classic swallows.

Once ashore, they will be greeted by the mayor, Jaume Collboni, who will give them bread, salt, and the keys to the city so they can enter every house. This will be the prelude to a parade that will begin at 6:00 PM on Marquès de l'Argentera Avenue. From there, it will proceed along Passeig Colom and Avinguda del Paral·lel, turning onto Ronda Sant Pau and Carrer Urgell, then onto Carrer Sepúlveda, and finally arriving at Plaça d'Espanya and from there at the Montjuïc Fountains, the final destination. The entire event will last approximately three hours.

The procession, stretching over a kilometer, will feature the Three Wise Men and more than 1,300 people accompanying them, including dancers, actors, stilt walkers, volunteers, and technical staff. They will be divided into eleven large sections, which will include the usual floats—such as the pacifier float, the postmen's float, and the coal float—as well as some new additions. Among these is the revamped toy float, a platform filled with games and topped with a fantastic little wooden train designed by set designer Ramon de los Heros, accompanied by a choreography by Som-hi Dansa. King Balthazar will also debut a new float. His new vehicle, inspired by African music, will be presided over by a djembe A giant percussion instrument will also feature prominently in the live music accompanying the parade. Balthazar's entourage will also include other characters making their debut in the Barcelona parade, such as three giant puppets shaped like elephants and giraffes.

Bicycle takes center stage

This year, Barcelona's parade will also include a segment to pay tribute to one of the events the city will experience in 2026: the start of the Tour de France. Under the slogan Barcelona and the Tour: a good tandem, A new section featuring bicycles will be added to the parade. The traditional procession of Dreams—which encourages children to go to bed early—will be inspired by these two-wheeled vehicles, often one of children's biggest wishes at this time of year. In addition to the float, bicycles will also be central to the choreography, with 12 BMX riders performing an innovative show.

As has become customary in recent years, the parade will conclude with the coal and candy procession. Up to 7 tons of candy will be distributed among all those attending the parade, which is expected to be marked by low temperatures. Despite hopes that the rain will hold off, page Gregori explained that the Three Kings are prepared to parade in the rain as long as it is "reasonable," as they did just two years ago.

Lleida, Girona, and Tarragona, ready to welcome the Three Kings

The Three Kings will also visit every house in Catalonia, and in the provincial capitals, traffic will need to be affected on several streets.

Lleida

In Lleida, the Three Kings' Parade will affect, albeit in different ways, the three central bridges that cross the Segre River during the five hours the event lasts on January 5th. Although the parade doesn't officially begin until 6:00 PM, the three central bridges will be closed to traffic from 4:00 PM. The Three Kings, who as always will arrive by train at the Lleida-Pirineus station, will enter the city at 5:30 PM and... a 2-kilometer route.

Girona

In Girona, the entourage of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar It will avoid the busiest streets around the train station. And it will end, as in recent years, in Plaça 1 d'Octubre. The route will begin, as usual, at the royal encampment in Parc de la Devesa at 6 p.m., from where the floats will depart towards the Eixample district. This year, however, instead of passing through Plaça Poeta Marquina and Ronda Sant Antoni Maria Claret, next to the train station, the procession will turn onto Carrer Santa Eugenia towards Plaça Marquès de Camps and Gran Via.

Tarragona

In Tarragona, Their Majesties will arrive at the Serrallo around six in the afternoon and They will head towards the City HallThe three kings of the East will arrive by boat and their landing will be in the maritime district of Serrallo and will not go unnoticed, since, to welcome Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, the sirens of the ships and boats of Tarragona will be sounded.