Five Curious Celebrations of the Three Wise Men in the Province of Málaga: They Throw Molletes and Mantecados, Drag Cans, or Offer Churros with Chocolate

The night of the Epiphany is not celebrated the same way in every corner of the province of Málaga. Beyond the conventional parades, there are towns ... that have preserved—or reinterpreted—their own traditions to announce the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. Some make noise to avoid any distractions, others throw bread and sweets from the floats, offer hot chocolate with churros, or transform the entire urban center into a biblical scene. In the middle of winter, when fir forests and mountain ranges attract numerous visitors, these celebrations add extra value to the Epiphany. Here are five unique examples that show how the excitement of the Kings is also built from local identity.

Antequera

Molletes and mantecados thrown from the floats

The Three Kings parade in Antequera has a uniqueness that sets it apart from the rest of the province: in addition to candies, Their Majesties throw molletes and mantecados, two products deeply linked to the local gastronomic identity. This tradition, documented for decades, turns the parade into a true celebration of Antequera flavors. Molletes, the emblematic bread of the city, and almond mantecados are distributed among the public as a symbolic gesture of abundance and celebration. For many families, getting one of these products is an inseparable part of the Epiphany Eve experience.

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Benamargosa

Hot chocolate with churros instead of roscón

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In Benamargosa, the celebration of the Three Kings retains a marked popular and gastronomic character. After the parade, locals and visitors can enjoy hot chocolate with churros for a symbolic price, which also includes the traditional King's cake. This gesture connects with a custom prior to the generalization of the King's cake as the typical Epiphany sweet, when hot chocolate with churros was the norm in many Andalusian towns on the night of January 5th or the following morning. The initiative keeps this collective memory alive and turns the wait for the Kings into an act of community around the table.

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Parades of the Three Kings in the province of Málaga

Torrox

A parade of almost nine kilometers

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The unique territorial configuration of Torrox, spread between the coast, historic center, and rural areas, has resulted in one of the longest parades in the province of Málaga. The route, close to nine kilometers, allows the Three Kings to pass through numerous neighborhoods and cores far from the center. This long journey turns the parade into a logistical event of great magnitude and a hallmark of local identity. Beyond its duration, the goal is clear: to ensure that the magic of the Epiphany reaches every corner of the municipality, without exception.

Benarrabá

A sacramental play instead of a parade

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In Benarrabá, there is no usual parade. Every January 5th, the entire town becomes the stage for a sacramental play that recreates the Adoration of the Magi. Residents of all ages participate in a traveling performance that moves through the streets of the municipality, guided by a star and accompanied by Christmas carols. The Kings advance on the backs of decorated animals, and the story unfolds at different points in the town, culminating at the church. This tradition, rooted in the first half of the 20th century, is one of the most unique examples of the Epiphany in Andalusia.

Archidona and El Secadero

The clatter of dragging cans

In Archidona and in the hamlet of El Secadero, in Casares, the Three Kings are announced with noise. On the morning of January 5th, children take to the streets dragging strings of cans tied with ropes, causing a racket that, according to tradition, serves to catch the attention of Their Majesties and ensure they do not pass by. This custom, passed down from generation to generation, has a strong symbolic and community component. Beyond the noise, the dragging of cans is a children's ritual that reinforces the excitement and collective participation in the arrival of the Kings. In Archidona, it has been revived strongly in recent years, while in El Secadero, its relative proximity to Algeciras, where can dragging has been famous for several decades, must be considered. In this hamlet of Casares, the dragging even involves a certain creativity in composing the cans.

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*In addition to these, other unique traditions also persist these days in different parts of the province. In Ronda, the parade culminates with the adoration of the Magi before the nativity scene and their visit to the Merced convent, reinforcing the religious component of the Epiphany. In Iznate, the celebration takes on an intimate and close-knit character: after a brief route, the Kings personally deliver gifts to all the children in the village. And in Comares, the night concludes collectively with the distribution of a large King's cake and gifts, a simple gesture that underscores the community character of this celebration.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. King Gaspar throwing molletes. PHOTO: Ayto. Antequera.

2. In Benamargosa, churros with hot chocolate await after the parade. PHOTO: Ayto. Benamargosa.

3. The Torrox parade could be one of the longest in the province. PHOTO: Ayto. Torrox.

4. Sacramental play of the Three Kings. PHOTO: Ayto. Benarrabá.

5. Creative can dragging in El Secadero (Casares). PHOTO: Ayto. Casares.