Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - January 6th is Three Kings Day in Mexico, known as El Día de Reyes. This is Epiphany on the church calendar, the 12th day after Christmas, when the Magi arrived bearing gifts for baby Jesus.

In Mexico children receive gifts on this day, brought by the three kings, Los Reyes Magos, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar. Some children receive gifts from both Santa Claus and the Kings, but Santa is seen as an imported custom, and the traditional day for Mexican children to receive gifts is January 6th.

Arrival of the 3 Kings:

In the days preceding Kings Day children write letters to the Magi requesting a toy or gift that they would like. On the night of January 5th, the figures of the Wise Men are placed in the nativity scene. Traditionally children would leave out their shoes with a bit of hay in them to feed the animals of the Magi (they are often shown with a camel). When the children would wake up in the morning their gifts appeared in place of the hay. Nowadays, like Santa Claus, the Kings tend to place their gifts under the Christmas tree.

After opening their gifts, the children spend the day playing and admiring each other’s presents, sharing them with friends, talking about how they were able to hear or see the Reyes Magos when they arrived at their home, how one of them heard the camel’s footsteps, how the other saw a shining crown in the dark night! Meanwhile, adults prepare for the Merienda de Reyes, an early evening dinner that friends and families share to celebrate the Epiphany.

Rosca de Reyes:

On Three Kings Day it is customary to eat Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread shaped like a wreath, with candied fruit on top, and a figurine of a baby Jesus baked inside. The person who finds the figurine is expected to host a party on Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas), celebrated on February 2nd, when tamales and hot chocolate are served.

Toys for Tots Vallarta:

Here in Puerto Vallarta, each and every year, CasaMagna Marriott Resort, The Navy League and local businesses join forces to distribute thousands of toys to children throughout the states of Jalisco and Nayarit who would not receive a gift without Toys for Tots Vallarta. This year distribution to the most needy communities in the Banderas Bay region - from Cabo Corrientes to Riviera Nayarit - will take place on Monday, January 9th. If you would like to be part of one of the most heartwarming traditions in Vallarta, please join us at 7 am in the parking lot of the Casa Magna Marriott in Marina Vallarta.

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