Puerto Ricans are friendly, outgoing, and always looking for a reason to have fun. Visit Puerto Rico from Thanksgiving through mid-January and you’ll find the island in party mode. Of course they enjoy Christmas and New Years, but in Puerto Rico, the really big celebration is reserved for the Festival de los Reyes Magos on January 6. The festival, which has been celebrated since 1884, honors the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh to the Baby Jesus. While the holiday is celebrated throughout Puerto Rico, the largest gathering is in a town outside of Ponce called Juana Díaz. People of all ages and nationalities gather in this small town to watch and participate in the festival.
The night before, children leave hay or grass by their beds to feed the camels ridden by the Three Wise Men. In exchange, the children will find the gifts that the Three Wise Men left for them, just as the Three Wise Men left gifts for the Child Jesus. After opening their gifts, families head to Calle Comercio in downtown Juana Díaz to await the arrival of the Three Wise Men. This is actually a homecoming for the Kings of Juana Diaz as they are so popular that they actually tour the entire island. Collectors are encouraged to be more than spectators. Anyone dressed as a pastor, adult, child, Puerto Rican or not, can join the parade. The parade is usually quite long, and includes simple shepherds and elaborate floats. The crowds wait with growing anticipation and just when it seems they can’t wait any longer, the Three Kings make a grand entrance. Dressed in the finest robes of gold, blue, and red, with crowns of glittering jewels on their heads, the kings make their appearance. However, riding horses, not camels, the Three Wise Men are treated like rock stars by admirers. The Kings are announced one by one, and among cheers and, sometimes, fainting women, they go to a huge altar installed in the Plaza. From then on, the festivities take on a more solemn tone as the Kings find the Child Jesus and the Holy Mass is celebrated.
Things don’t stay solemn for long. After the Mass, the Kings return among the crazed crowd. Although they are gone until next year, there is still much to do. On the edges of the Plaza, artists and artisans have set up stalls selling the best Puerto Rican handicrafts. If you get hungry, there are plenty of food vendors selling drinks, ice cream, and traditional Puerto Rican food. If you get tired, you can just sit on one of the benches under the trees in the Plaza and people watch. You will not get bored.
So if you’re looking to extend your holiday season a bit longer, head to Puerto Rico and Juana Diaz. It is a festival you will never forget.