The holiday season hasn’t ended just yet.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Three Kings Day or Día de Los Reyes is celebrated.
What is Three Kings Day?
Three Kings Day (Día de Los Reyes) or the Feast of Epiphany is a holiday that commemorates the day the three wise men — Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar — arrived with gifts for baby Jesus.
When is Three Kings Day?
Three Kings Day or Epiphany is celebrated by Roman Catholics on Jan. 6, as the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas.
Although the birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas Day, the three Kings didn’t actually reach him until twelve days later, which is why Three Kings Day is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas.
Orthodox Christian faiths celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19.
The symbolism behind the Magi’s gifts
“The Three Kings” or the “wise men” or the “Magi” followed a star to Bethlehem to show their adoration for baby Jesus.
The Bible says a bright star led the magi from the east until it stopped “over the place where the child was,” and “upon entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Matthew 1:24).
They presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold has always represented wealth and power. It symbolized Christ’s royal status as King of the Jews. Frankincense, a type of incense and perfume, represented His divinity and identity as the Son of God. Myrrh, an anointing oil and embalming fluid, referred to Jesus’ mortality.
Epiphany, also known as the Three Kings Day or Theophany, is a Christian feast celebrated on Jan. 6, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to Jesus Christ.
What countries celebrate Three Kings Day?
Día de Los Reyes is celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico and Spain, in addition to other countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, France, Poland, and by some Latinos in the United States, especially Puerto Rico.
How is it celebrated?
Popular traditions during the holiday include gift-giving, large feasts, and indulging in King Cake or Rosca de Reyes.
King Cake is most often associated with Mardi Gras but is also eaten in honor of Epiphany. Louisiana-style king cakes consist of a cakey bread dough twisted into a ring and decorated with icing and colored purple, green and yellow sprinkles.
Rosca de Reyes is a special bread with fruit and sugar that comes in the shape of an oval to represent a crown. Candied figs and cherries symbolize the crown jewels.
Inside both variations of cake, a baby Jesus doll is hidden.
Whoever finds the doll is believed to receive good luck but must also host a party on Candlemas (February 2nd) or host next year’s celebration.
Similar to stockings at Christmas, many children leave out their shoes the night before for the wise men to leave candies and toys in.
And like the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, children will pick grass or hay and leave water for the camels to eat and drink.
Three Kings Day parades also take place around the world, from New York City to Madrid and Uruguay.
Where can I buy Rosca de Reyes in the DMV?
Apapacho Taqueria
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0sF6L86KkU8aZf7nBuLhqF6WRBC1WKsXmCcgr5zVsY7vKHsPGvgzouXrBxuGVfUG9l&id=61560703799992
Apapacho Taquería is offering a traditional Roscas de Reyes, made with soft, buttery dough gently scented with orange blossom water and finished with classic ates, candied orange, and a buttery crust. A filled version is also available with vanilla pastry cream and dulce de leche.
💲 Price: $45 for a traditional Rosca de Reyes. $60 for a filled Rosca de Reyes.
Preorder: Available starting January 5. Earlier orders can be placed via DM on Instagram.
📍 Address: 1280 4th St NE, Unit 10, Washington, D.C.
Cinco de Mayo Bakery & Taqueria
https://www.facebook.com/5demayo.restruantbakery/posts/pfbid06gdncit6mE5FkEuq5GpkEdoJvH7bodq6NCQvXEba1ELkTem6RiLeyT8nnfQh2hzwl
This bakery and restaurant in Glen Burnie will offer Rosca de Reyes in small, medium and large sizes. They come packaged in a festive box and will be available now until Jan. 6 or 7.
Cost: The small is $25, medium is $35 and the large is $45.
📍 Address: 445 N. Crain Hwy Glen Burnie, MD.
Cocolita Food
Chef Carla of Cocolita Food is offering a mazapán-flavored Rosca de Reyes adorned with candied fruit and filled with dulce de leche for pickup in D.C. or Alexandria
💲 Price: $45 for a large Rosca. $30 for a medium one. $5 for a single piece.
Preorder for pickup this week between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the link here.
📍 Address: 703 Edgewood St. NE, Washington, D.C.
📍 Address: 3411 Memorial St, Alexandria, VA.
Dulces Delicias Bakery
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02SLMJ6YPwo7ZDhwiXFUPve4inksUwP2akLX6R2GuzyvRibfgF2Xy5xZSGMZ1pcUKRl&id=100089532295227
This Mexican bakery located in Falls Church specializes in eye-catching cakes as well as traditional Mexican pastries and desserts.
The typical Rosca de Reyes will be offered in small, medium and large sizes from Jan. 4 – 6. You can pre-order by calling 571-229-4782 or stopping in to the bakery in person.
💲 Price: $65 (feeds 8-10), $45 (feeds about 20), $35 (feeds 15)
📍 Address: 2190-A Pimmit Dr. Falls Church, Virginia
Dulce Vida Bakery
https://www.facebook.com/dulcevidabakeryhyattsville/posts/pfbid02oC56rjEbBnEaiWcZv6NjJRGZgSPkvgNw5CvX4DZGW4UfHdScg7iPSUW59YBLHcmRl
Dulce Vida Bakery in Hyattsville is offering a traditional Rosca de Reyes made with dried candied fruit, perfect for celebrating Three Kings Day.
💲 Price: $25 for a small Rosca. $40 for a medium Rosca. $65 for a large Rosca.
Availability: Sold now through January 6. Preorder by calling (301) 422-9050.
📍 Address: 6221 Annapolis Rd., Hyattsville, MD.
Panaderia Mi Pueblo
https://www.facebook.com/vamipueblo/posts/pfbid04jpaBNEum3e5eQbZuLYhKErkESUQ3PhpovtaNcA5R9xZVKWHy8H1Vz6mLrzwekU5l
This traditional Mexican bakery will offer Rosca de Reyes from Jan. 4 through Jan. 7
To pre-order in Stafford, call (540) 628-4031 or walk in at Alexandria for same-day pick-up. It is cash only, but an ATM is available.
💲 Price: $39
📍 Address: 8401 Richmond Hwy. Suite F, Alexandria, VA
📍 Address: 261 Garrisonville Rd #110, Stafford, VA
Where can I buy King Cake?
Bayou Bakery
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTDRaDGkp7P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
This local bakery in Arlington will begin selling their King Cakes on Jan. 6. As a bonus, cakes will include Mardi Gras beads and a card explaining the history behind the tradition.
Pre-order online at least 48 hours in advance.
💲 Cost: $50 plus tax for the traditional King Cake, $58 for flavors like King Cocoa or Strawberry Swirl King Cake.
📍 Address: 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA.
Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.