Three Kings Parade Alicante 2027: Route, Times & Where to Stand
5 January, start time TBD (last year about 19:00). Last year's route, where to stand with kids and how to get a chair.
Alicante's Three Kings parade, the Cabalgata de Reyes, happens on the evening of 5 January, and in 2027 that's a Tuesday. The 2027 start time and route are TBD. Based on last year, the Kings landed at the port at about 17:00, the parade set off from Avenida de la Estación at around 19:00 and it reached Plaza del Ayuntamiento at about 21:30. It's free, it's huge, and it's the best night of the Spanish Christmas if you have kids.
Quick facts
- Date: Tuesday 5 January 2027 (it's always the 5th)
- Kings arrive: time TBD. Last year it was about 17:00 at the port, then about 18:00 at the bullring
- Parade starts: time TBD. Last year it set off at about 19:00 from Avenida de la Estación, by the Palacio Provincial
- Parade ends: time TBD. Last year it finished at about 21:30 at Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- Crowds: over 55,000 people in 2026
- Sweets: over 10,000kg of soft, gluten-free sweets thrown in 2026
- Seats: around 8,000 paid chairs last year. Sale date TBD, last year they went on sale on 26 December
The route (last year's route, 2027 route TBD)
This is the 2026 route. The 2027 one is TBD (it hadn't been announced at the time of writing, October 2026), and in 2026 the council changed the start point, so check the council's Christmas programme in December.
| Time (2026) | Where |
|---|---|
| About 17:00 | Kings arrive by boat at the Escaleritas de la Reina, in the port |
| About 18:00 | Kings greet children at the Plaza de Toros after a kids' show |
| About 19:00 | Parade leaves Avenida de la Estación at the Palacio Provincial |
| Then | Plaza de los Luceros, Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio, the Rambla, Calle Altamira |
| About 21:30 | Finish at Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where the Kings speak from a stage |
The big change in 2026 was the start. For years the parade began at Plaza de los Luceros. Last year it moved back up Avenida de la Estación to the Palacio Provincial, the provincial government building, which added room for 1,700 extra chairs. The floats now line up in the side streets around the Palacio. In 2026 it actually wrapped up at about 21:25.
What to expect
It's a proper show. In 2026 there were 25 floats and more than 1,300 performers and helpers, split into three sections: a fun section, a Bible section with five nativity scenes and the Kings' own floats, and a sponsors' section at the end. The floats for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar close the Bible section, and that's when the kids lose it.
The floats throw sweets the whole way. Over 10,000kg went out in 2026, all soft and gluten-free, along with more than 20,000 small gifts. Bring a bag for the kids to fill.
It's cold. AEMET forecast the coldest Night of the Kings in 40 years across the Valencia region in 2026, and there was rain and cold that afternoon before the parade went ahead dry. Even in a normal year you'll be standing still for a couple of hours after dark in January. Coats, hats, and a flask if you have one.
Where to stand
- Want a seat? The paid chairs run along the route, including the new stretch of Avenida de la Estación between the Palacio Provincial and Luceros.
- Standing with small kids: go near the start, on Avenida de la Estación or around Luceros. The parade reaches you early, the floats are fresh, and you can be home by bedtime.
- Want the atmosphere: the Rambla is where it feels biggest, but it's also where it's most packed. Get there at least an hour early for a spot at the barrier.
- Skip the finish with toddlers. Plaza del Ayuntamiento is where everyone ends up for the Kings' speech, and it's a crush.
- Pick a meeting point. With tens of thousands of people out, agree a fixed spot in case you get split up.
The council's advice every year is the same: cross only at the marked crossings, follow what the local police and volunteers tell you, and keep a close eye on the kids. Watch your bag in the crowd too.
How to get chairs
The 2027 sale date is TBD. Last year about 8,000 chairs went on sale at 10:00 on 26 December, around 60% online on Vivaticket and 40% in person at the Plaza de Toros ticket office, according to the council. The online ones sold out in about 45 minutes. If you want a seat, be online at 10:00 sharp, or queue at the bullring. I couldn't find a published chair price, so check when sales open.
The days around it
- Late December to early January: the Royal Camp (Campamento Real) in Plaza de Gabriel Miró, where kids hand over letters. Dates TBD. Last year it ran from 26 December to 4 January. You book a slot on the council website. Enso Sushi is right on the square if the grown-ups need feeding.
- 4 January: the Carteras Reales, the Kings' messengers, parade from Plaza de España to the Rambla and Explanada at 18:00 in 2026 to collect letters. Time TBD.
- 5 January: the big parade. Some neighbourhoods run their own smaller cabalgatas the same evening, which are calmer if you're staying out of the centre.
- 6 January: Kings' Day, when Spanish children open their presents. It's a family day and much of the city is quiet.
Roscón de Reyes
The roscón is a ring-shaped sweet bread topped with candied fruit, eaten on the 5th and 6th. Many come filled with whipped cream, custard or chocolate. There's a little figure baked inside, and whoever finds it gets crowned. There's also a dried bean, and whoever finds that pays for the roscón. Order one from a bakery a day or two before, because they go fast.
Getting there
Don't drive. Streets along the route close to traffic, and finding parking in the centre that night is a nightmare. The tram is the easy option from the beach areas or up the coast. Our Alicante tram guide explains tickets and stops. If you're flying in for it, see our airport to city guide. Stay in Alicante centre and you can walk.
After the parade, the bars on and around the Rambla fill up. Cervecería Sento Rambla is right on the route.
FAQ
What time does the Three Kings parade start in Alicante?
The 2027 start time is TBD. In 2026 it set off at about 19:00 from Avenida de la Estación, and the Kings arrived at the port around 17:00 beforehand. Confirm the 2027 times in December.
What is the route of the Cabalgata de Reyes in Alicante?
The 2027 route is TBD. Last year it was Avenida de la Estación, Plaza de los Luceros, Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio, the Rambla and Calle Altamira, finishing at Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Do you need tickets for the Three Kings parade?
No, watching is free. Paid chairs went on sale on 26 December last year and sold out fast. The 2027 sale date is TBD.
Is the Alicante Three Kings parade good for kids?
It's built for them. Floats throw sweets and small gifts the whole way. Stand near the start if your kids are small.
What day is the Three Kings parade in 2027?
Tuesday 5 January 2027. Kings' Day itself is Wednesday 6 January.
Wrap up warm and bring a bag for the sweets.
More for the season: Christmas in Alicante · Alicante in January