Three Kings Day marks the true close of the festive season for many cultures around the world. While December often signals the peak of celebrations, the holiday spirit doesn’t end with the New Year. Rooted in the tradition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Three Kings Day celebrated on January 6 honours the arrival of the Three Wise Men and carries deep cultural and spiritual meaning.
In some countries, including some of the Swiss cantons (Schwyz, Uri, Ticino), and in the neighboring region of southern Germany, Three-Kings Day is a public holiday. In Basel, however, it is a regular work day, although it is associated with some traditions you may come to appreciate.
History of Three Kings Day
Three Kings Holiday are considered the upholders of blessings, leaving gifts in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday, also known as Epiphany, dates back to the fourth century. Santa Claus is not as well-known or popular in Mexico and many other Latin American countries as he is in the United States.
Many people believe that mystical events preceded Jesus’ birth, the most notable of which was the appearance of the star in Bethlehem. This new star popped up in the evening sky just before Jesus’ arrival. Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, three wise men, or Magi as they were known, traveled for 12 days, covering hundreds of kilometers to pay respects to Christ and recognize him as the Emperor of Bethlehem. They brought wonderful offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh with them.
The Three Kings Day each brought a distinctive present. This event is acknowledged in the melody “We Three Kings,” and the trio is frequently depicted in parades. Many works of art depict the arrival of the three kings, including “Adoration of the Magi” paintings by artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Hieronymus Bosch, and numerous nativity scenes.
Three Kings Day – A Culinary Treat
The most commonly found tradition associated with Three Kings Day in this area is the baking and eating of a “Dreikönigskuchen” (Three Kings Cake), which is especially popular with the kids. Its origins date back to the 16th century. The cake is made from sweetened yeast dough that is formed into several balls which are arranged in a flower shape before baking. One of these balls contains a small plastic figure representing a king. To eat the cake, each family member breaks off one of the balls, and whoever gets the one with the little figure is now the “king (or queen) for the day.” You can buy these cakes at all supermarkets, where they are sold with a gold paper crown that the “king/queen” gets to wear to signify his (or her) position. These cakes are so popular, that according to Wikipedia around 1.5 million of them are produced each year in Switzerland, and only around January 6. This means that almost every household in the country buys at least one of these cakes!
Three Kings Day, also known as El Dia de Reyes, is a significant celebration for Catholics. In regards to giving presents, this festival is also a holiday-specific gourmet treat. The holiday dessert, known as Rosca de Reyes or King’s Cake, is a symbolic pastry. This sweet bread, shaped in the shape of a king’s crown, contains a special surprise. It contains a tiny plastic figurine of infant Jesus within it. Whoever discovers this identifier is compelled to organize an impending celebration for the ceremony Dia de la Condelaria or Candlemas Day, which falls on February 2 each year.
Another custom to celebrate is the outdoor feast! Food is an important part of Three Kings Day, as it is in any good celebration. The feast is eaten al fresco, or outside, in Latin American countries. Rice and black beans are traditional dishes, as are slow-cooked meat, soups, plantains, yucca, nopales, and much more! If you are a foodie, you will have a variety of options that will make you appreciate the festive season even more!
Traditions, Tinsels and Carolling
Many Three Kings’ Day customs, such as door-to-door holiday caroling and the expenditure on collective meals and eating sweets, are comparable to Christmas, both in their fervor and the fun they bring! Whether it’s receiving gifts, baking and breaking bread with family and friends, or singing till your voice cracks, who doesn’t love a jolly time?
A whole other tradition to commemorate Three Kings Day is to dive into some icy cold water. It may appear a little strange, but that is how the event is celebrated in Prague! People take a customary Three Kings swim in the Vltava River every year. Many people will be wearing crowns as they jump into the freezing water. Afterward, there is a constant flow of delicious, toasty Czech snacks as well as mulled wine lying in wait for people. Of course, as a Swiss expat you could skip the ice water dip entirely and go right up for the wine.
The Three Wise Men and the Gifts Filled with Wisdom
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were typical gifts given to honor a king or deity in the ancient world. and yet Christian scholars have debated the meaning of the three gifts brought on Three Kings’ Day over the years.
Whilst the value of gold is evident, it is presumed that the gifts have more significance than was originally anticipated. Beyond providing a pleasant odor, frankincense and myrrh could have had tangibly more importance. The gift of gold to Jesus symbolized his status as King of Kings and the King of Jews. Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies and prayers, to worship the infant Jesus. Myrrh was also used in embalming and in the afterlife. Its significance is that it demonstrates that Jesus Christ will give up his life for the people. Each gift depicted a different aspect of the baby Jesus’ fate.
Melchor is usually credited with the gold, Balthazar with the myrrh, and Caspar with the frankincense.
Nowadays, young kids commemorate Three Kings Day by earning their own presents. Youngsters in Latin America and Spain are told to put their shoes at their front door so that the three kings, like Santa Claus, can arrive and shower them with gifts. While Three Kings Day is a significant holiday in Latin America. However, there is nothing stopping you from celebrating this day regardless of where you are in the world!
How Three Kings Day Is Celebrated Around the World
Three Kings Holiday is celebrated differently across cultures, but its essence remains the same: togetherness, generosity, and reflection.
- Spain & Latin America: Children leave their shoes outside or by windows to receive gifts from the Three Wise Men. Families gather to share Rosca de Reyes, often turning the celebration into a joyful, food-filled event.
- Mexico: The day is centred around family meals, gift-giving, and the King’s Cake tradition, with Candlemas preparations following in February.
- Europe: In countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, children participate in Stern singer (Star Singers), going door-to-door singing carols and collecting donations for charitable causes.
- Expat Celebrations: Many expats recreate the celebration at home baking Rosca de Reyes, hosting small dinners, or introducing the tradition to friends from different cultures.
Three Kings Day is a reminder that traditions travel with us, adapting to new places while keeping their meaning intact.
Celebrating Traditions, Wherever You Are
Three Kings Day reminds us that traditions don’t disappear when we move countries they simply evolve. Whether you grew up celebrating El Día de Reyes or are discovering it for the first time, this day is a beautiful reminder that community, food, and shared rituals help us feel at home, wherever we are.
Of course, you can see the Three Kings in Basel not only on January 6 but year round—on the façade of the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois at the Schifflände. This hotel has a long history beginning in 1681, when it was first mentioned under this name. Since then, the property has undergone numerous changes, expansions, and renovations until it was restored to its current form in 2004-2006. It is widely considered the best hotel in Basel and has hosted such luminaries as Napoleon, Queen Elizabeth II, and Pablo Picasso. (Source: https://www.basellife.com/dreikonigstag-three-kings-day/)
As an expat in Switzerland, you may not find grand parades or public celebrations, but you can still honor the spirit of the day by gathering friends, sharing “Dreikönigskuchen”, and passing traditions forward.
👉 Are you an expat in Switzerland and how do you celebrate the Dreikönigstag (Three-Kings Day)?
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