What to expect
In Spain it is not Father Christmas but the Three Kings who bring the presents, on the night before 6 January. The entrance of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar in Palma is suitably grand: on 5 January they arrive in a llaüt, a traditional wooden boat, at the Moll Vell in the old harbour, most recently at 6 pm. Thousands of families are already waiting when the kings come ashore and are officially welcomed.
Then the Cavalcada sets off through the city centre. The route in previous years: Avinguda Antoni Maura, Passeig del Born, Plaça Rei Joan Carles I, Carrer de la Unió, La Rambla, Baró de Pinopar, Avinguda Alemanya, Avinguda Portugal, Passeig Mallorca, Avinguda Jaume III and back along the Born to Plaça de la Reina. At around 8:30 pm the city receives the kings at Plaça de Cort. Route and times follow the pattern of previous years; the 2027 programme has not been published yet. The city releases it a few days beforehand on palma.cat.
On the morning of 6 January comes the quieter part: the Adoració dels Reis at Ses Voltes below the cathedral. Afterwards all of Palma sits down to a family meal, traditionally with the Roscón de Reyes.
Other towns hold their own parades, often earlier in the evening and with smaller crowds, for example Inca, Manacor, Sóller and Alcúdia. For the rest of the season, from public holidays to opening hours, see our guide to Christmas in Mallorca.
Where to stand with small children
Not at the Moll Vell and not on the Born. Both are packed from the afternoon, small children see little between the adults, and after the parade it is hard to get out with a pushchair. The later part of the route works better, for example Avinguda Portugal or Passeig Mallorca. The floats arrive there later, but the crowd is thinner and the front row at the roadside is often still free.
Practical tips
- Getting there: On foot, by bus, or by train and metro to Estació Intermodal. Streets around the harbour and along the route are closed from the afternoon.
- Crowds: The Moll Vell and the Born are packed from about 4 pm. If you want to see the arrival, be there at least an hour beforehand.
- Costs: The arrival, the parade and the Adoració are free. A Roscón costs from around 10 to 20 EUR at the bakery.
- With children: A bag or an upturned umbrella for the sweets, plus a warm jacket. There is a chilly breeze at the harbour in January.