The socially distanced arrival of the Three Kings: by hot air balloon, in a convertible car, via 'livestream'

Covid-19 restrictions might have curtailed our movements this year, but they haven't been able to dampen the spirits of the youngest amongst us, who are still as excited as ever about the imminent arrival of the Three Kings. With traditional parades and processions out of the question across most of Spain, many local councils have found alternative ways of staging the annual arrival of the Kings, on the evening of January 5th, without contravening any current healthcare constraints.

Some of Spain's most emblematic cities like Seville, Cáceres, Madrid, Barcelona, Santander, Zaragoza, Ibiza, Ciudad Real, Logroño and Murcia are intent on keeping the magic alive on Tuesday, albeit in rather unusual ways: 

Seville

The tradition is certainly going to be kept alive in Andalusia's capital city, but instead of parading through the streets to the city centre, both the Herald and the Three Kings will arrive by hot air balloon. On Monday evening, the Herald will be seen sailing across the skies of Seville, and at 18.30h on Tuesday, the royal pages and the Three Kings will make the same celestial journey. Furthermore, both events will be streamed in a special programme on the Ateneo de Sevilla's YouTube channel.

Cáceres

Their Majesties will also fly by the Extremaduran city of Cáceres in a hot air balloon but won't be able to throw any sweets to the children this year, as that would contravene current health regulations. Their journey will also be filmed and broadcast later on so that the locals can see it in "close-up". Before setting off acoss the skies, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar will spend the day at a special reception area set up in the city, where they will receive and read all the youngsters' messages, responding in real time via the web.

Madrid

The people of Madrid will not be able to enjoy the traditional Epiphany parade this year, but they will be able to enjoy live TV footage of the Three Kings at the Conde Duque de Malasaña cultural centre. Their message to all the capital's children will be televised by Telemadrid from 20.30h on Tuesday. All of this after a light show designed and choreographed by the magician Jorge Blass and the violinist Ara Malikian at 18.30h, and after the comets of light that will be launched to announce the arrival of the Magi.

Barcelona

Barcelona will also be swapping its popular festive parade for an event with a very limited audience once the Three Kings come ashore in the Catalan capital after arriving by boat. Their Majesties will be joined by a small group of people on a stage in the Parc de la Màgia de Orient at 19.30h. There they will be honoured with music and carnival floats for 700 metres and the event will be broadcast live by TV3, TVE Catalunya and BTV.

Santander

The Three Kings of the Orient will receive the children of Santander from 9am until 9pm on January 5th in the cloisters of the city's Cathedral, accompanied by their camels and a living nativity scene. Children will be allowed in to see the Kings in ten-minute 'turns' comprising 20 family units. Invitations to attend have to be requested via the city's website in advance.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza will also celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings, but the celebration will have to be followed online. To avoid having an audience present, the event will be broadcast by Aragón TV throughout the evening, although the exact start time remains unclear.

Ibiza

Their Majesties are going to tour the streets of the island's capital city in convertible cars from 18.30h on Tuesday.

Logroño

Weather permitting, the Magi will head to Logroño by helicopter and will fly over the city from 10.00h on Tuesday. Then between 11.45h and 15.30h they will tour the city streets in an open-top bus, so that children can wave to them from their windows and balconies.

Ciudad Real

To make their way around Ciudad Real the Three Kings have chosen the town's sightseeing train, which they'll use to go up and down around 100 streets, so there will be no need to people to crowd in one place at one time in order to see them.

Murcia

Between 9am and midday on Tuesday, their Majesties will fly across the skies of Murcia in a small aeroplane, so that the boys and girls can see them from their windows and balconies. After landing, they will travel by open-top bus around all of Murcia's different districts and neighbourhoods. At 8pm, there will be a firework display just before the Kings head off to Monteagudo to collect their camels and make their gift deliveries.