Crowds pack Spanish streets for colorful Epiphany parades
Posted January 05, 2018 6:00 am
MADRID (AP) - Parents and their children are packing city sidewalks across Spain to watch colorful parades celebrating Epiphany, the day Christians observe the visit the Three Kings made to the baby Jesus.
The processions on Friday, held on the eve of Epiphany, feature decorative floats with people dressed as the kings and bearing gifts for Jesus. The floats also feature light and music shows and clowns and jugglers who throw candy to the crowds.
Christmas gifts are traditionally given on Epiphany in Spain and in many Latin American countries. Children write letters to the magi on the feast's eve, requesting presents.
In recent years, security has been tightened in Madrid and Barcelona amid fears of potential terror attacks, with large vehicles banned from streets near the parades.
An Epiphany parade was also held in Prague.
Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
A man takes a photo of a procession of the Three Kings marching across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Tree Kings of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) prepare to take part during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
One king of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) prepares to takes part during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
One king of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) prepares to takes part during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
Tree Kings of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) waves people as they cross a bridge during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girl displays a crown taking part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
One king of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) waves people during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged.(AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. People take part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged.(AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
One king of The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) waves to people during the cavalcade the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
The Associated Press
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