Epiphany / Three Kings’ Day (January 6): Meaning, Traditions & Holidays

Twelve days after Christmas, much of Europe and Latin America celebrates one more festive day. Epiphany, also called Three Kings’ Day, falls on January 6 and marks the end of the Christmas season. Depending on where you are, it means royal parades, sweet ring-shaped cakes, a kindly witch bringing presents, or priests blessing the sea.

What Does Epiphany Celebrate?

The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek for “appearance” or “revealing”. In Western churches — Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant traditions — the day remembers the visit of the Magi, the wise men who followed a star to Bethlehem bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Popular tradition calls them three kings and names them Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

In Eastern Orthodox churches the same feast, often called Theophany, focuses on the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Churches that follow the old Julian calendar celebrate it on what is January 19 in the modern calendar.

Epiphany at a Glance

Detail	Information
Date	January 6 every year
Also called	Three Kings’ Day, Día de Reyes, Theophany, Twelfth Day
Marks	Visit of the Magi (West) / Baptism of Jesus (East)
Eve	Twelfth Night, January 5
Season	Ends the twelve days of Christmas

👉 See all observances on this date: January 6 Holidays and Observances

Where Epiphany Is a Public Holiday

January 6 is a day off work and school in many European countries, including Spain, Italy, Austria, Poland, Greece, Croatia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Sweden and Finland. In Germany it is a holiday in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt, and parts of Switzerland also observe it. In the United States, Canada and the UK it is a church feast rather than a public holiday, though Hispanic communities across North America celebrate Día de Reyes with family gatherings.

Traditions Around the World

Country / Region	Tradition
Spain	Children leave shoes out for the Three Kings, who bring gifts overnight; towns hold the Cabalgata de Reyes parade on January 5; families share a roscón de Reyes cake
Mexico and Latin America	Rosca de Reyes with a tiny figure baked inside; whoever finds it hosts a party on February 2
Italy	La Befana, a friendly witch on a broomstick, fills children’s stockings with sweets — or coal for naughty ones
France	Families share a galette des rois; the person who finds the hidden charm becomes king or queen for the day
Poland	Three Kings processions in many cities; families write “K+M+B” and the year in chalk above the door
Germany and Austria	“Star singers” (Sternsinger) dressed as kings go door to door collecting money for children’s charities
Greece and Cyprus	Priests throw a cross into the sea, lakes or rivers, and swimmers race to retrieve it
United Kingdom	Twelfth Night customs; many people take down Christmas decorations by January 5 or 6

The Twelve Days of Christmas Explained

In Christian tradition, the Christmas season lasts twelve days, from December 25 to January 5. The evening of January 5 is known as Twelfth Night, and Epiphany on January 6 closes the season. The famous carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” counts these same days. In many countries, Epiphany is also the traditional day to take down the Christmas tree and decorations; leaving them up longer is said to bring bad luck in some folk traditions.

Why Epiphany Still Matters

For Christians, Epiphany is a reminder that the message of Christmas was meant for the whole world — the Magi were foreigners who traveled far to honor the child. For families, it is one last cozy celebration before everyday life returns in the new year. And for children in Spain and many Latin American countries, it is the big present-giving day, often more exciting than Christmas itself.

Ways to Celebrate

1. Bake or buy a king cake — roscón, rosca or galette — and see who finds the hidden figure.
2. Attend an Epiphany church service or a Three Kings parade.
3. Take down the Christmas decorations together and save a few memories for next year.
4. Teach children the story of the Magi with a simple craft star.
5. Chalk a door blessing above your entrance, as many families in Central Europe do.
6. Donate to a children’s charity, inspired by Germany’s star singers.

Epiphany Dates

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2027	January 6	Wednesday
2028	January 6	Thursday
2029	January 6	Saturday
2030	January 6	Sunday
2031	January 6	Monday

Note: in some countries, including the United States, Catholic churches move the celebration of Epiphany to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.

👉 Related: Christmas Day (December 25): History & Traditions

👉 Plan your January: January Holidays Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions