three kings

January 5 is most magical night of the year in Catalonia as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar arrive bearing gifts

'Future will be much better than past, no doubts,' says Melchior in Barcelona, as kids flocked to streets across country despite Covid

Most councils opt to bring back January 5 parades this year but with safety measures in place 

Local councils choose to not hold customary parades and go for static shows to avoid crowds, some spread over several days

Health minister Vergés says 'families will not be able to mix' in festive meals, where social distancing will have to be maintained

Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, marks the Wise Men's arrival in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth

Food and family are the key words over the holiday period, when Catalans face two weeks of feasting before they finally get their gifts

The Three Wise Men arrived in Catalonia greeted by throngs of children and families in time for Epiphany

The supposedly humorous video was quickly taken down and replaced with an apology

Between a defecating log and sumptuous kings, gift-givers in Catalonia are far from usual

In some Catalan towns a white actor in black facepaint interprets Balthasar, one of the Three Kings bringing presents to children

Traditional parades held throughout the country with presence of color yellow in solidarity with the jailed leaders

Around 910,000 traditional Kings Day desserts expected to sell this year, 2% more than last year