Ateneo Three Kings Parade
On the evening of 5 January the Ateneo de Sevilla brings out its Three Kings Parade, which it has organised since 1918. The day before, the Royal Herald asks the mayor for the keys to the city.
When
Next: Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
On the evening of 5 January, the eve of Epiphany. The Royal Herald goes out on 4 January.
Last time: Monday, January 5, 2026.
What it is
Seville's Three Kings Parade has been organised by the Ateneo de Sevilla, a cultural society, since 1918. It began as a charitable initiative promoted by José María Izquierdo, then vice-president of the Ateneo, to bring toys and sweets to the children in the city's hospices.
On 5 January 1918 the procession left Calle Lombardos with ox carts loaded with more than 470 boxes of sweets, 1,811 bags of sweets and pastries, toys worth more than 3,400 pesetas and over 1,000 pesetas in cash, gathered through a donation campaign. That year the Three Kings were played by Jesús Bravo Ferrer, José María Izquierdo and Javier Lasso de la Vega. Izquierdo died in 1922, having seen only five parades.
Over the years camels, dromedaries and even elephants were added, along with preliminary events such as the opening speech and the Christmas concert, and ever more elaborate floats. According to the Ateneo, it now has 33 floats, around 1,000 Bedouins, 30 pages on horseback and 10 bands, and it is one of the city's Fiestas Mayores.
Where
In 2026 the parade left the University of Seville, on Calle Palos de la Frontera, and ran through Glorieta de San Diego, Avenida del Cid, Plaza Don Juan de Austria, Menéndez y Pelayo, Recaredo, María Auxiliadora, Ronda de Capuchinos, Muñoz León, Resolana, Feria, Correduría, Plaza de Europa, Trajano, Plaza del Duque, La Campana, O'Donnell, Plaza de la Magdalena, Murillo, San Pablo and Reyes Católicos; it crossed into Triana over the Isabel II bridge (Altozano, San Jacinto, Esperanza de Triana, República Argentina, Plaza de Cuba), came back along Asunción and the Remedios bridge and ended via Paseo de las Delicias and Avenida de Roma at Palos de la Frontera.
The route changes from year to year; this is the 2026 one.
Customs and traditions
The day before, on 4 January, the Royal Herald goes through the centre from the Ateneo to the City Hall to ask the mayor for the keys to the city, and collects letters with the wishes of children and adults.
The procession is led by the Star of Hope (Estrella de la Ilusión) and, besides the three Kings, includes figures typical of the Seville parade such as Pallas Athena, representing culture and wisdom, the Grand Vizier, who hands out sweets to the children, and the Wizard of Fantasy. Every year the Ateneo appoints the people who play them, along with the opening speaker and the poster artist.
FAQ
Who organises Seville's Three Kings Parade?
The Ateneo de Sevilla, ever since the first one on 5 January 1918.
How did the parade begin?
As a charitable initiative by José María Izquierdo, vice-president of the Ateneo, to bring toys and sweets to the children in the hospices.
What does the Royal Herald do?
He goes ahead of the Kings: on 4 January he asks the mayor for the keys to the city and collects letters from children and adults.
Where did the 2026 parade start?
At the University of Seville, on Calle Palos de la Frontera, on a route adjusted because of roadworks.