Countdown to one of the most magical nights of the year: Three Kings' Night. Children and adults alike eagerly await the arrival of Their Majesties from the East. As is tradition, they will disembark at Port Vell at half past four in the afternoon this Sunday. As a novelty, and to honor the bicentennial of the Tres Tombs de Sant Antoni, one of the city's oldest traditions, the three Kings will make a journey from Port Vell to Passeig de la Circumval·lació in traditional carriages, pulled by six horses, before the start of the Parade.
The route will begin at six in the afternoon on Avenida del Marquès de l'Argentera and will follow the same route as the previous year. The Parade will be organized into eleven blocks, more than a kilometer long. During the parade, the Three Kings will surprise children with renovated floats, such as one of the most popular, the Coal float, as well as the debut of nine technical vehicles with improved sound and light, designed by set designers José Menchero and Ramon de los Heros. A whole royal entourage that will feature more than 1,300 artists, dancers, and volunteers, under the artistic direction of Barbarana Pons.
Their Majesties also want to take the opportunity to commemorate an important date for the city: the centenary of the metro. On December 30, 1924, the Barcelona metro made its first journey from Plaça Catalunya to Lesseps, a route that the L3 makes today. The parade will incorporate a bus in the shape of a metro car that simulates a new line that runs the Kings' route through the Catalan capital, the Metro Reyes Exprés line. In addition, during the parade, historical TMB vehicles such as the Dodge Brothers (1940), the Aclo Regente (1949), and the Chausson Urbas (1955) will also be on display.
The Parade will begin with the percussion of the Brincadeira company, which will premiere a new composition by Arturo Calvo and also new luminous costumes. It will be page Estel who will light the way for the Kings, with a float that premieres new lighting and choreography inspired by the music of the spheres.
Before the arrival of the Kings, Page Gregori will greet boys and girls from a larger and taller vehicle, surrounded by inflatables created by Patxo Uriezaga (Patx-Work). The retinue of toys, accompanying King Melchior, will also debut a new comparsa, Els Reis de l'Orient miren i escolten a tota la gent, with choreography by Lorena Nogal, National Dance Award 2024. The comparsa represents all the senses that Their Majesties use to know and observe young and old (hearing, sight, smell…). This comparsa is a tribute to the fortieth birthday of the Roseland company, directed by Marta Almirall, and its show Cara, calla!.
King Gaspar will tour the streets of Barcelona accompanied by a new retinue: the Seguici dels Somnis, the most imposing and tallest of the entire Parade, with inflatable figures up to ten meters high that evoke the world of dreams. King Balthazar will close the parade accompanied by a new figure, the Nana, a puppet almost five meters tall. This new character represents the vulnerability and courage of migrant people, and is the work of South African artist Roger Titley. On this magical night, there will also be no shortage of candies ---up to six tons will be distributed--- nor coal, for the naughtiest children.
The Kings of the East will parade through the city streets with new melodies, designed in collaboration with the Liceu Conservatory. In addition, to offer a more inclusive Parade and for the magic of Their Majesties to reach all children, they will also have the participation of people with disabilities and the pages will deliver part of their speech in Catalan sign language. Reserved spaces will also be enabled for people with reduced mobility, in Pla de Palau, Plaça de les Drassanes, Sant Antoni Market and Plaça Espanya.
Parade Schedule and Route
Their Majesties will arrive by sea aboard the schooner Santa Eulàlia. They are expected to disembark at the Portal de la Pau starting at half past four in the afternoon. There they will be received by the city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, to hand them bread and salt, as a symbol of hospitality, and the keys to the city so they can access all homes to spread their magic.
The parade will follow the same route as the previous year: it will start at six in the afternoon on Avenida del Marquès de l'Argentera and, subsequently, from Paseo de Colom it will advance along Avenida del Paral·lel, go up Ronda de Sant Pau and Urgell, turn onto Sepúlveda until reaching Avenida Reina Maria Cristina. The Magic Fountain of Montjuic will be the final setting for the Kings' tour of the city, where Their Majesties will arrive after 9 p.m.