Entire city


The Three Wise Men are the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts on the night of January 5th, a tradition that corresponds elsewhere to St. Nicholas, Santa Claus or Father Christmas.

On the afternoon of January 5th, the Three Wise Men arrive at the train station accompanied by firecrackers announcing their arrival in Compostela. There they are received by all the boys and girls, city authorities and the Municipal Music Band. The procession goes around the city, led by the Band and other music groups as well as municipal police mobile units. They are followed by the Wise Men’s entourage and, finally, the floats of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, along with other fantasy floats. There are also passacaglias and sweets for everybody.

The procession ends at the Town Hall, where the Wise Men cater to the boys and girls’ requests and then, accompanied by the mayor, greet Comostela’s inhabitants from the Town Hall balcony. 

The following day, January 6th, is Epiphany -a public holiday in Compostela and in all of Spain- which brings Christmastime to an en

Image gallery

Twelfth Night Procession [January, 5]