This year marks the 141st anniversary of the Fiesta de Reyes de Juana Díaz. Find details on the route, the events and the origin of the traditional Three Kings parade here.
Eventos de los Reyes Magos de Juana Díaz (Jan. 2-5)
The Kings will make the following stops before completing their route in Juana Díaz
Days and routes across the Island:
Thursday, Jan. 2: Juana Díaz and Humacao
Friday, Jan. 3: San Juan and Guaynabo
Saturday, Jan. 4: San Juan and Comerío
Sunday, Jan. 5: San Juan and Ponce
Detailed itinerary:
Thursday, Jan. 2
10:00 a.m. – Sending-off ceremony (Parroquia San Ramón Nonato, Juana Díaz)
1:00 p.m. – Centro Cultural Cayacoll (Juana Díaz)
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia Reina de la Paz (Humacao)
Friday, Jan. 3
10:00 a.m. – Parroquia Santa Luisa de Marillac (San Juan)
2:00 p.m. – Parroquia San Pedro Mártir (Guaynabo)
6:00 p.m. – Catedral de San Juan
Saturday, Jan. 4
10:00 a.m. – Casa de Niños Manuel Fernández Juncos (San Juan)
2:00 p.m. – El Capitolio (San Juan)
6:30 p.m. – Parroquia Santo Cristo de la Salud (Comerío)
Sunday, Jan. 5
9:00 a.m. – Parroquia San Vicente de Santurce (San Juan)
4:00 p.m. – Museo de Arte de Ponce (at Plaza del Caribe)
6:00 p.m. – Parroquia Santísimo Sacramento (Ponce)
10:00 p.m. – Grand return to the plaza in Juana Díaz
Three Kings Day celebration: Jan. 6
The festivities will begin early at the Casa Museo de los Santos Reyes (PR-14) with live music. The traditional parade will depart at 10:00 a.m. toward the plaza, where the Bishop of Ponce, Rubén Antonio González Medina, will celebrate Mass. The celebration will continue with music, crafts and family entertainment through the afternoon and evening.
*You can visit the official profile of the Reyes Magos de Juana Díaz on Facebook to stay up to date on further updates.
What is the origin of the traditional Three Kings parade?
How it all began: On Jan. 6, 1884, Juana Díaz held its first Fiesta de Reyes, an event that has continued without interruption to the present day.
Its founder was Father Valentín Echevarría, a Spanish priest who had arrived in Puerto Rico in 1883.
Nearly a century later, the Consejo Juanadino Pro Festejos de Reyes, Inc. was established, the organization that coordinates both the Fiesta and the Caravana Nacional de los Reyes Magos.
Who are the people behind Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar? The Three Kings are portrayed by parishioners of the Parroquia San Ramón Nonato de Juana Díaz, residents of Juana Díaz, professionals and parents.
The selection criteria are belief in God, a love of tradition, and being a practicing Catholic who is respected in the community.
Candidates must also know how to live in the moment and genuinely enjoy the opportunity.
Beyond Puerto Rico: Our Kings have visited every town in Puerto Rico on multiple occasions, and have also traveled to Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, the USA and the Vatican.
The Fiesta de Reyes de Juana Díaz is considered the oldest religious and cultural festival in Puerto Rico and possibly in all of Spanish America.
Los 140 años: The southern town has 140 uninterrupted years of the Desfile de Reyes alongside shepherds and residents who walk to the public plaza, welcoming people from many different communities.
This year, the Caravana Nacional de los Reyes Magos will visit Adjuntas, Aguadilla, Barranquitas, Carolina, Guayanilla, Juana Díaz, Lares, Moca, Ponce, San Juan and Villalba.
Have you collected the grass for the camels yet?
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
