It’s different from being in Puerto Rico.īut the majority of the comments said a common phrase: ¡ Qué no se pierda la tradición!, which means, 'Don’t let the tradition die.' The neighboring houses all took down their decorations, the holiday spirit had left. The usual snow also makes it hard to find grass for the camels. Among the common reasons were that Jan. 6 is not a holiday in the states, so parents had to work and kids had to go to school. However, when I reached out to a group of Puerto Ricans in my community to see how they celebrated Día de Reyes, I was surprised.įor many, the celebration of the holiday was impossible. I was lucky enough to grow up on the island and experience those traditions first hand, and when I landed in Rochester, NY a year-and-a-half ago, I noticed the vibrant and present Puerto Rican community. I knew that come January, the Three Kings Day tradition would be alive and well. At home, children would still be on break and would spend the day with their families, just like Christmas.

In most Latin American countries, Three Kings Day is observed as a national holiday celebrated with larger-than-life parades.Ĭelebrations in Puerto Rico often include parades, with three men dressed as the Wise Men, and music and dancing. This generosity, known as Epiphany, birthed a tradition that's become one of the most beloved holidays in Hispanic and Latin American households worldwide.īy the time the New Year arrives in the United States, Christmas decorations come down, school starts and most people move on from the holiday season.įor those who celebrate Día de los Reyes Magos, Three Kings Day, the joy extends well into January.Ĭelebrations for the Feast of Epiphany vary depending on the country. Three Kings Day: Are businesses missing out on the 'second Christmas'?Īccording to the Christian Bible, days after Jesus was born, three wise men visited the manger and brought gold, myrrh and frankincense. In the mornings, the grass would be strewn across the floor, meaning that the Three Wise Men - Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, and their respective camels - had come in the night to give us gifts. But on Jan. 5, on the eve of Three Kings Day, my brother and younger cousins and I would go to the yard to pick up grass, put it in a shoebox under the bed, and fall asleep with the hope that presents would replace the vegetation.

Feliz dia de reyes puerto rico