Three Kings' Parade in Valencia: route, time and where to watch

The Cabalgata de Reyes in Valencia takes place every year on 5 January, in the early evening. It is a fixed date: it does not change from one year to the next. What does change each year is the exact route, the start time and the arrival point, so it is worth checking the city council's events calendar in the days beforehand.

How the afternoon usually works

Before the parade of floats, the Three Kings arrive in Valencia by sea. In the last edition, in January 2026, the landing took place for the first time at Marina Norte (plaza de la Sal). It was a new arrival point that year; previously it had been at Plaza del Agua de la Marina. The exact landing spot has changed from one edition to another, so don't assume it will be repeated. When it has been at Marina Norte, the Kings get off a boat amid music and cold fireworks at about half past four in the afternoon. It is a quieter moment than the parade itself and with fewer people, a good option if you are going with small children who get tired quickly.

Later, once the streetlights are on, the parade itself gets going. In recent years it sets off around 5:30 pm from the area around Puente de las Flores or Navarro Reverter, goes down Porta de la Mar, General Tovar, calle de la Pau and plaza de la Reina as far as calle de San Vicente Mártir, and ends at plaza del Ayuntamiento. There the Three Kings climb onto the main balcony, traditionally on a fire engine, and deliver their message to the children before going in to leave the letters.

This route and these times are the usual ones from recent years, not a guarantee for next January. The city council usually confirms the final route at the end of December, with street closures already set. Check the municipal website or the festival calendar before you decide where to stand, especially if you're bringing a stroller or folding chairs.

Where to watch the parade with young kids

The whole route gets crowded, but not equally so:

• The first stretch (Puente de las Flores / Navarro Reverter) tends to be less crowded than the end.
• Plaza del Ayuntamiento gets the biggest crowds as the parade finishes there and the Three Kings speak from the balcony. If you have a stroller, skip it or get there very early.
• The council rents out chairs along the route, usually a few euros, bookable from early afternoon on the day with street staff. Spaces are limited.
• There are usually reserved areas for people with reduced mobility at several points along the route.

If you're bringing children who get tired of standing and waiting, the boat arrival area at Marina Norte usually has more space and a more family-friendly atmosphere than the city center during peak parade time.

Getting there by public transport

From early afternoon on the 5th, several streets in the centre are closed to traffic: the area around the Puente de las Flores and Puente del Real, San Pablo and San Agustín, and the entrances from Plaza de Tetuán, la Ciudadela, Navarro Reverter and Avenida Marqués de Sotelo. The day before, the Alameda is also closed for the preparations. So it's not worth driving into the centre that afternoon: parking nearby is practically impossible and the detours are long.

The sensible option is getting around by public transport: Metrovalencia (lines that stop at Alameda) or EMT, which in recent editions has reinforced and diverted several lines to bring people closer to the centre without crossing the closed-off route. If you're coming from outside and looking for somewhere to sleep that night, there are options for all budgets in the where to stay in Valencia guide.

January 6th

On 6 January, día de Reyes (Three Kings' Day), is a public holiday all over Spain. It is the day children open the presents left by the Reyes Magos overnight, and many families take the morning for a leisurely stroll: the city centre wakes up with fewer people than on New Year's Eve or on the afternoon of the parade itself. If you want a quiet plan for that morning, the Jardí Botànic or the Jardines del Real are usually open and not very crowded.

Roscón de Reyes

The dessert of the day is the roscón de Reyes: a ring-shaped sponge cake decorated with candied fruit, which is shared and eaten with the family on January 6th, although in Valencian bakeries it is already sold from December. Inside it usually contains two hidden surprises: a dried bean and a small figurine. Whoever gets the bean pays for the roscón the following year; whoever gets the figurine is entitled to the cardboard crown that usually comes with the roscón. It can be bought in any bakery or horchatería in the city; if you are looking for somewhere to try it properly, the horchaterías de Valencia guide is a good starting point, because many of them also make it.

If you're coming from outside Valencia

Other towns in the Comunitat Valenciana hold their own Three Kings' parade on 5 January, each with its own schedule. If you're in the area and plan to visit a nearby town, keep in mind that many shops and museums close or have reduced hours on the afternoon of the 5th and all day on the 6th.

If you're staying in the city for a few more days after Christmas and Epiphany and want more to do, here are some ideas for what to do in Valencia with children or free family activities for the rest of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is the Cabalgata de Reyes in Valencia?

It's always on the evening of 5 January. The date never changes, but the route and exact times are confirmed each year at the end of December.

What time does the Cabalgata de Reyes start in Valencia?

The float parade now usually sets off around 5:30 pm, after the Kings have arrived by boat in mid-afternoon. It changes from year to year, so check the municipal calendar for the precise time before you go.

Where do the Three Kings arrive in Valencia?

For the January 2026 edition, the landing takes place at Marina Norte for the first time. In previous years it was held at Plaza del Agua de la Marina. The exact spot may change again, so check the city events calendar for the location before you go. It's a good time to visit with young children, as it's usually less crowded than the parade that follows.

Where does the parade route end?

In the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Three Kings climb to the town hall's main balcony and deliver a message to the children. It's the busiest point on the whole route.

Can you go by car to see the parade?

That's not a good idea. From early afternoon on the 5th, several central streets are closed and parking nearby is scarce. Best to take the metro or EMT bus.

What do we eat on January 6th?

Roscón de Reyes is a ring-shaped sponge cake with candied fruit, usually hiding a dried bean and a small figurine. From December, bakeries and horchata shops across the city sell it.