Trip Planner Site - Three Kings Festival in Puerto Rico

People of all ages and nationalities converge on this small town to watch and participate in the festival. Called Juana Diaz, the largest gathering is found in a town outside Ponce, while the holiday is celebrated throughout Puerto Rico. Gold and myrrh to the Baby Jesus, honors the Three Kings who brought gifts of incense, celebrated since 1884, the festival. The really big celebration is reserved for the Three Kings Festival on January 6, of course they enjoy Christmas and New Years but in Puerto Rico. Visit Puerto Rico from Thanksgiving Day until mid January and you'll find the island in full party mode. And always looking for a reason to have fun, outgoing, puerto Ricans are a friendly.

From there the festivities take on a more solemn tone as the Kings find the Baby Jesus and the Holy Mass is celebrated. Make their way to a huge altar set up in the Plaza, and over cheers and sometimes swooning women, the Kings are announced one by one. The Three Kings are treated like rock stars by the adoring fans, not camels, riding horses though. The kings make their appearance, with crowns of shimmering jewels atop their heads, and red, blue, dressed in the finest robes of gold. The Three Kings make a grand entrance, the crowds wait in growing anticipation and just when it seems they can't wait any longer. Including simple shepherds as well as elaborate floats, the parade is generally quite long. Can join the parade, puerto Rican or not, child, adult, anyone who dresses up as a shepherd. Gatherers are encouraged to be more than spectators. They actually tour the entire island, this is actually a homecoming for the Kings from Juana Diaz as they are so popular. Families head to Comercio Street in downtown Juana Diaz to await the coming of the Three Kings, after opening their gifts. Just as the Kings left presents for Baby Jesus, children will find presents left to them by the Three Kings, in return. Children leave hay or grass by their beds to feed the camels ridden by the Three Kings, the night before.

You won't get bored. You can simply sit on one of the benches under the trees in the Plaza and people watch, if you get tired. Ice cream and traditional Puerto Rican food, there are plenty of food vendors selling drinks, if you get hungry. Artists and craftsman have set up booths selling the finest Puerto Rican crafts, on the edges of the Plaza. There is still much to do, though they are gone until next year. The Kings make their way back through the frenzied crowds, after the Mass. Things don't stay solemn for long.

It is a festival you will never forget. Head to Puerto Rico and Juana Diaz, so if you are looking to stretch out your holiday season a little longer.