Three Kings Parade in Malaga

An essential part of Christmas in Malaga is the Three Kings Parade. It takes place in the late afternoon and evening of the 5 January and is one of the most magical nights of the year for children and adults alike. It’s also a fitting end to the festive season and comes with an extra bonus – the next day is a public holiday!

Update 5 January 2026: Malaga City Council has just announced that the Three Kings Parade is taking place as usual this afternoon despite the risk of showers, but an hour later. The Kings leave the Alcazaba Fortress at 6pm, making their way to City Hall. The Parade starts here at 7pm.

Read on for all the information about the Three Kings parade in Malaga.

The tradition

Father Christmas (Santa Claus) has gradually been making a name for himself in Spain over the last 20 years or so. But the traditional and best-loved present bearers for Spanish children are the Three Kings.

Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior, whose names form an essential part of any Spanish childhood, arrive at every house on their camels and leave presents for every child on the night of 5 January. Children put out their shoes in anticipation as well as turron and Christmas sweetmeats for the Kings plus sugar lumps for the camels.

In preparation for their arrival, every village, town and city in Spain celebrates a parade and Malaga is no exception.

The parade

It’s one of the biggest events in Malaga of the year and the city centre is packed with families all anxious to catch a glimpse of the Three Kings. The parade takes the form of a cavalcade with highly-decorated floats and performers accompanying them. Each King rides a separate float sitting on a high throne and surrounded by his courtiers.

The Three Kings Parade in Malaga has around 14 floats that include the three bearing each of the kings. The others take cartoon or traditional themes and there’s lots of music, including Spanish Christmas carols.

As well as the excitement of seeing the Kings, children (and their parents) are there for the sweets. All participants in the parade shower the spectators with hard-boiled sweets (the gluten-free sweets come in a light-blue wrapper) and thousands of them. Every year, some 12,000 kilos (4 million sweets) are up for grabs, so everyone goes home with a good supply.

How long does the parade last?

The exact length of the parade depends on the year and how quickly the floats get round their route. But expect it to last several hours.

Kings’ arrival

The Three Kings Parade in Malaga starts with their majesties’ arrival at around 5pm. The starting point varies depending on the year. In 2026, the Kings spend the night at the Alcazaba Fortress (once a royal residence) and go from here to City Hall. They then join the parade as it makes its way around the city. Start time is 6pm from City Hall.

Three Kings Parade in Malaga itinerary

In 2026, the parade follows the itinerary below.

Avenida de Cervantes, Plaza del General Torrijos, Paseo del Parque, Plaza de la Marina, Alameda Principal, Puente de Tetuán, Calle Nazareno del Paso, Calle Hilera, Puente de la Esperanza, Calle Prim, Calle Atarazanas, Puerta del Mar, Alameda Principal, Plaza de la Marina y Cortina del Muelle. From here, the Kings walk up Calle Molina Lario to the main façade of the Cathedral where they make an offering to the Nativity. 

Getting a front-row seat

Malaga has seating for the Three Kings Parade on the Alameda Principal, Plaza de la Marina and Paseo del Parque, with four rows of seats on each side.

Tickets for seats go on sale in Thursday 19 December 2025 and cost from €9 to €16. You can book yours via this link once they’re available.

Bear in mind that demand is always high and that the website gets very busy. Note too that you need to create an account to buy and pay for the seats. If you don’t have a Spanish NIE tax number, add your passport number in the ID box.

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Hotels with good views of the parade

Top tips for the parade

It’s one of the busiest days of the year, with thousands of people heading for the city centre to watch the parade. To ensure the best afternoon/evening possible, do the following:

Take public transport

Or walk into Malaga city centre. There’s no point trying to drive in as the city is gridlocked and all car parks full. If you’re coming to Malaga from the west end of the Costa del Sol, park in the large car parks near the Martín Carpena sports stadium and take the metro from here. Get off at Atarazanas station in the centre. You can also get the number 7 bus from the sports stadium, but progress will be slow because of the traffic.

If you’re coming to Malaga from the east, park where you can in El Palo or El Candado and get the number 3 or 11 bus as far as La Malagueta. Then, walk into the city centre (about 10 minutes).

Watch your children

Everywhere is packed, so keep a very close eye on your children at all times in case they slip away. Keep them well back from the Parade itself – protective barriers run the length of the itinerary but, even so, make sure your children don’t climb or slip under them.

Choose your spot

Before you arrive, choose your spot and then get there early especially if you want a frontline view of the parade. We recommend bagging your place at least an hour before the parade is due to pass, even earlier if you’re really keen.

Bite to eat

If you’re planning to have dinner in Malaga, book your table well in advance. Or go for a meal at a venue outside the Parade itinerary – the Soho district, Muelle Uno and restaurants on the western seafront are all good options that should be quieter.

Don’t love the magic?

If the Three Kings Parade isn’t your thing, keep away from the city centre. How about visiting the Russian Museum and/or the Car Museum? Or taking an evening stroll on the western seafront, in Pedregalejo and El Palo or Muelle Uno?

It is, however, a lovely event – there’s something very special about all the families on the streets and all the children with stars literally in their eyes. A truly magical event!

Shop opening hours

Although 5 January isn’t a public holiday, many shops and businesses close slightly earlier, say 6pm. Many museums close early (usually at 5pm). Tuesday 6 January is a public holiday when shops and businesses are closed. Bars and restaurants open as usual. 

Three Kings cake

There are lots of traditions that go with the Three Kings and one of the most delicious is the roscón. This circular cake is made of sweet dough and comes covered in sugar and candied fruits. You can buy it filled with cream, confectioners custard, chocolate… You eat it on the morning of 6 January with hot chocolate for breakfast.

The roscón comes topped with a golden crown for the person who gets the prize inside. Don’t hold your breath for exciting prizes – they’re usually plastic ornaments but you do get to wear the crown and be king for the day. The cake also has a broad bean inside it – get this in your slice and you pay for the cake.

Where to buy your Three Kings cake in Malaga

All bakeries sell their own version of the roscón de reyes. We like those sold at Ana La Fantástica, La Canasta (Plaza de la Constitución), Fermento Casa de Panaderos (Calle Torregorda, near Atarazanas, and Avda Cánovas del Castillo in La Malagueta district) and Aparicio (Calle Granada). You can buy different sizes, ranging from small plate size to giant platter size.

Supermarkets also sell roscones, but we’ve never tried a good one, so wouldn’t recommend them.

Enjoy!

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(Photo credit: float and child watching Jose Hidalgo, Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol – Málaga S.L.U./www.visitacostadelsol.com)