When is the 2027 parade?

It is always on the evening of January 5, the night before the Kings bring presents. The route and times usually come out in December. The times on this page are from the 2025 season's parade (January 5, 2026), which ran on the same route as the year before.

Where is the best spot with little kids?

The start by Parc de la Ciutadella and the area around the Columbus monument get the biggest crowds. Many families pick a spot further along, on Paral·lel, near Mercat de Sant Antoni or on Sepúlveda, where there is usually more room. Arrive an hour early for a front spot, and keep kids off trash cans, railings and traffic lights.

Can we see the Kings arrive?

Yes. In 2025 they sailed into the Portal de la Pau, by the Columbus monument, where the mayor gave them bread and salt and the magic key that opens every home. There was also a separate boat landing at Port Olímpic, with a royal page tent on the dock.

Can kids hand in their letter at the parade?

Yes. Royal mail carriers walk with the Post Office float and collect letters along the route. Many kids hand theirs in earlier at a market or royal tent, or write one on the city's letter page.

Is it OK with a stroller or a toddler?

It is loud, crowded and late for small kids. Strollers are fine at the back but hard to get to the front, so a carrier or shoulders works better. Dress warmly, as January evenings get cold, and agree on a meeting point in case anyone gets separated.

Three Kings Parade in Barcelona

Featured inChristmas with Kids in Barcelona 2026

FestivalCiutat VellaSant MartíEixampleSants-Montjuïc15 families interested

Where

Various locations

Ages

All ages

Duration

About 3 hours

Setting

Outdoors

Plan for

An evening

Route

Ciutadella to the Magic Fountain

Bring

A bag for candy and warm layers

What you need to know

The later stretch has more room: Paral·lel, Mercat de Sant Antoni and Sepúlveda are usually easier with small kids than the start or the Columbus monument
Bring a bag for the candy thrown from the floats, but never step into the road to pick it up while floats are passing
Four reserved areas for people with disabilities, at Pla de Palau, Drassanes with Paral·lel, Mercat de Sant Antoni and Plaça d'Espanya; bring the accreditation card

About

The whole city turns out to welcome the Three Kings. Melcior, Gaspar and Baltasar sail into the old port, then ride across the center on giant lit-up floats with dancers, stilt walkers, live music and a crowd of patges, their royal helpers. Kids catch the candy thrown from the floats, wave at their favorite king and look out for Page Estel with her star.

Schedule

Tue, Jan 5

3:45pm
Kings land at Port Olímpic
2025 time. A separate boat landing with a royal page tent on the dock. Free.
Moll de MestralMaps ↗
4:30pm
Kings arrive by boat
2025 time. The mayor greets them with bread, salt and the magic key. Free.
Portal de la PauMaps ↗
6pm
Parade sets off by Ciutadella
2025 time; reached Via Laietana around 6:35pm.
Av. Marquès de l'Argentera → Pg. de Colom at Via LaietanaRoute ↗
6:55pm
Past Colom and up Paral·lel
2025 times; Portal de Santa Madrona 7:10pm, Paral·lel at Ronda de Sant Pau 7:30pm.
Columbus monument → Av. Paral·lel at Ronda de Sant PauRoute ↗
7:45pm
Sant Antoni and Sepúlveda
2025 times; Sepúlveda at Comte Borrell 8:10pm, at Entença 8:30pm. Usually more room here.
Mercat de Sant Antoni → Carrer de Sepúlveda at Carrer d'EntençaRoute ↗
8:50pm
Final stretch to the Magic Fountain
2025 times; ended around 9:10pm at Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia.
Av. Reina Maria Cristina → Magic Fountain of MontjuïcRoute ↗