San Cristóbal de La Laguna has organised a series of festivities for this weekend leading up to the arrival of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men of the East. The “highlight of the day”, as stated by the City Council, will be the Grand Parade on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. This event will revive a historical route that has not been witnessed in the city for 36 years.
The mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, urged all residents of the municipality and the wider island to take part in this unique programme in anticipation of Three Kings’ Day, “where we have implemented significant new features to ensure that no boy or girl misses seeing Melchior, Gaspar, and Baltasar.”
The mayor announced that the schedule for January 5 will commence at 11:30 a.m. with the traditional reception of the Three Wise Men in the Plenary Hall of La Laguna City Council, followed by a new route from the arch of lights on Carrera Street to the La Concepción tower, where Their Majesties and their royal pages will personally collect letters from those gathered in the town.
When this procession reaches the vicinity of the church, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez will present the magical keys of the city to the stars of this significant occasion, allowing them to distribute their gifts in the early hours from Sunday to Monday. This moment will feature a children’s show performed by the Habemus Teatro company.
Meanwhile, the Lagunero Festival Councillor, Dailos González, explained that the afternoon agenda will commence at 5:00 p.m. from the Royal Sanctuary of the Holy Christ of La Laguna, where the Three Wise Men will carry out the customary act of worship.
At 6:00 p.m., the Grand Parade of the Three Wise Men will set off from Plaza del Cristo, making its way through the streets of Nava and Grimón, Obispo Rey Redondo, Hermanos Marrero, Herradores, Consistorio, and again Nava and Grimón, concluding back at the starting point of the route.
The procession will include nine floats and over 500 participants, comprising extras, royal pages, elves, children’s characters, superheroes, groups, choreographic ensembles, music bands, stilt walkers, jugglers, and other familiar symbols of the festive season.
It will feature glowing inflatables, marine-themed displays, an Avatar world setting, and countless surprises, some of which have already been experienced at the Illusion Camp, where thousands of children have visited since 26 December.
PMR Zone and Quiet Section
Dailos González expressed gratitude for the cooperation of various departments within the council for this event, such as Social Welfare, which has assisted in the inclusive train and the establishment of a PMR area in Plaza del Adelantado, catering to individuals with reduced mobility. Additionally, a section of the Parade will be designated as noise-free (Nava and Grimón Street, from Plaza del Cristo to Pedro Pinto de la Rosa Street), to enhance accessibility and enjoyment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivities.
“From various departments of this municipal corporation, we have set the objective of making our cultural and leisure agenda increasingly inclusive, providing alternatives and specific areas for those with disabilities,” stated the mayor. “This initiative is even more significant on a date like this when hope should reach all Laguneros and Laguneras without exception,” he added.
Finally, the Festivities Department of La Laguna City Council has organised a very special musical finale for this Epiphany, featuring live performances from 10:30 p.m. on the stage of Plaza de La Navidad. The evening’s programme will include well-known groups such as Amistades Pelitragrosas and Soul Sanet.
