Barcelona Three Kings Parade 2027 (Cavalcada de Reis): a practical guide

What is the Cavalcada de Reis?

In Spain, Christmas presents are brought by the Three Kings on the night of 5 to 6 January. The evening before, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar (Melcior, Gaspar and Baltasar in Catalan) ride through the city on floats, with music and pages throwing sweets to the crowd. It is a free street celebration.

In Barcelona its official name is the Cavalcada de Reis, Catalan for Three Kings Parade, and the Kings are known as the Reis d'Orient. What makes it special is that the Kings arrive by sea, by boat, at the city's old port, at the foot of the Columbus monument.

When is the Barcelona Cavalcada de Reis 2027?

On the evening of Tuesday 5 January 2027. The 2027 times and route have not been published. The route has been the same in recent years: according to betevé, the city's public TV channel, the 2026 route was the same as in the three previous years (betevé). We will update this guide once it is confirmed.

The next day, Wednesday 6 January 2027, is a public holiday across Spain (BOE).

The Kings' arrival by boat at Portal de la Pau

In 2026 the Kings came ashore at 16:30 at Portal de la Pau, the square around the Columbus monument at the bottom of La Rambla. They arrived on the Golondrinas, the port's sightseeing boats, and were welcomed by the mayor, who gave them the magic key to enter every home, plus bread and salt as a welcome (betevé). They then moved to the starting point of the parade.

If you want to see them come ashore, get there well in advance: space by the water is limited and fills up. In 2026 betevé broadcast it live from 16:00.

The 2026 route and times, for reference

This is how the Cavalcada went on Monday 5 January 2026. The route is the one published by TMB, the city's public transport company (TMB), and the passing times are the ones given by betevé (betevé):

Full route: Avinguda del Marquès de l'Argentera, Passeig de Colom, Avinguda del Paral·lel, Ronda de Sant Pau, Sant Antoni Market, Carrer del Comte d'Urgell and Carrer de Sepúlveda, back onto Avinguda del Paral·lel, Plaça d'Espanya and Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, up to the Magic Fountain. It lasts about three hours from the start.

TMB said there were no capacity limits, though there were reserved areas for people with disabilities holding an accreditation card.

Where to watch the Cavalcada

• With small children: the start of the route (Marquès de l'Argentera and Passeig de Colom), because the parade passes earlier, between 18:00 and 19:00. On Sepúlveda it passes after 20:00.
• To see the arrival and the parade: Portal de la Pau and Passeig de Colom are next to each other, so you can watch the Kings come ashore at 16:30 and stay on Passeig de Colom for the parade.
• The finish at Montjuïc: Plaça d'Espanya and Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina are wide, but everything ends there and the crowds leave at once.
• Arrive early: the front row fills up long before the Kings pass.

Tips for your first parade

• The sweets: they are thrown to the crowd along the whole route. Bring a bag for the children.
• With children: agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. Pick one stretch and stay there.
• Clothing and rain: it means several hours standing outdoors in January. Wrap up and check the forecast; in heavy rain the programme may change.
• Crowds: keep an eye on your wallet and phone.
• Neighbourhood parades: besides the main Cavalcada, in 2026 there were about fifteen parades in different neighbourhoods (betevé), smaller and calmer.

Metro, buses and road closures

2026 information, from TMB (TMB):

• Metro, the best option: from 17:00 there were trains every 2 minutes or less on L5, every 3 to 4 minutes on L1, L2 and L3, and just over 4 on L4. On 5 January, the eve of a holiday, the metro ran until 2:00; on 6 January, until midnight.
• Stations with extra staff: Barceloneta (L4), Drassanes (L3), Paral·lel (L2 and L3), Sant Antoni (L2), Poble Sec (L3), Espanya (L1 and L3), Rocafort (L1), Urgell (L1), Universitat (L1 and L2) and Urquinaona (L1 and L4). Entry may be restricted if crowds build up.
• Buses: most lines were limited or diverted from about 16:00 to 21:30. betevé listed as affected the D20, D40, D50, H12, H14, H16, V9, V11, V13, V15, V17, V19, 13, 21, 46, 47, 52, 55, 59, 65, 79, 91, 109, 120, 121, 141, 150, X2 and the Barcelona Bus Turístic (betevé).
• Car: streets on the route were closed to traffic from about 17:30 to 21:30, according to betevé. Do not drive.

What opens and closes on 6 January?

6 January (Epiphany, Kings' Day) is a national public holiday. It is a family day: presents are opened in the morning and many households eat roscón de Reyes (tortell de Reis in Catalan), a ring-shaped sweet with a small figurine and a dried bean hidden inside.

• Shops: many close. Check the hours of each shop or restaurant.
• Museums and monuments: many have holiday hours or close. Check each website before you go.
• Transport: in 2026 the metro ran until midnight on the 6th (TMB).

Where to stay and more plans

If you want to walk to the boat arrival and the start of the parade, the Gothic Quarter, El Born and Barceloneta are a few minutes from Portal de la Pau: find a place to stay in Barcelona with free cancellation.

• Barcelona Christmas lights: switch-on, streets and times.
• What's on in Barcelona: things to do these days.