January the 6th is a special day within the Latino community. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three Wise Men found the divine child by following a star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem. One of New York City's most fun ways to commemorate this holiday is the annual Three King Day Parade. For four decades El Museo del Barrio has celebrated and promoted the Three Kings Day tradition with an annual parade. This year's march begins at 11:00am at 106th Street and Lexington Avenue and travels to Third Avenue to end at 115th and Park. The lively procession features camels, colorful puppets, floats, and thousands of students and other community members as participants.
Once the parade is over, participants celebrate with a traditional Puerto Rican festival consisting of music and food.
More than 5,000 people participate in our Three Kings Day parade each year! The volunteers accompany school groups along the route, distribute crowns to parade participants, and engage with children, families, and the general audience throughout the parade. If interested in volunteering, kindly email volunteers@elmueso.org. There is also a lot of hype surrounding the event displayed on social media!