The Three Wise Men Parade has moved to Palau d’Esports where the children waited for Their Majesties
Magical Night in Benidorm
The persistent rain that fell throughout the day in Benidorm failed to dampen the spirits of the Three Kings, nor those of the children awaiting their visit, on a magical evening filled with wonder.
At 4:30 p.m., Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, before arriving in the town center, visited the Doble Amor Center, where they were received by the mayor, Toni Pérez; the councilor for Festivals, Mariló Cebreros; other members of the council; and the regional deputy, José Ramón González de Zárate, who on this special day wanted to accompany the president of Doble Amor, José Luis Calvo, along with the center's staff and users.
While the Three Kings were presenting gifts to the 52 people served by Doble Amor, along with their families and friends, the Palau d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm opened its doors to welcome thousands of residents, mostly children, who had hoped to greet Their Majesties at the Grand Parade organized by the Department of Festivals. However, due to the threat of persistent rain throughout the day, the parade was moved, in a scaled-down format, to the municipal sports facilities.
The change of venue, however, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the children and their families, who, thanks to the arrangements made by the City Council, were able to reach the Palau by free buses or in their own vehicles. Among those in attendance were a large part of the municipal council, headed by Toni Pérez and Mariló Cebreros; Senator Agustín Almodóbar and regional deputy Manuel Pérez Fenoll were also present.
In addition to the thousands who witnessed the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar live at the Palau d’Esports, many more watched via the municipal YouTube channel and on Onda Benidorm, the local radio station, which broadcast the arrival of the Three Kings in Benidorm.
Hundreds of people participated in the event. Among them were dance troupes from the city's dance schools, the three musical societies: Unión Musical de Benidorm, S. M. l’Illa de Benidorm, and S. M. la Nova; the Colla de Xirimiters de la Marina, the Bandeta Tropical, and the Centuria Romana de Orihuela, among others.
The traditional parade was maintained with a lighthearted first part, featuring characters from animated films and comic book superheroes; The second part featured a recreation of the story "The Story of the Three Wise Men of the East" by Francisco José Rovira Peretó, a suite structured in six parts: "The Star and the Nativity," with Professor María José Lozano, recipient of the 2025 "Ciutat de Benidorm" Cultural Distinction, playing the role of the Star, followed by "Herod," "The Shepherds," "The Arab Souk," "The Royal Entourage," and "The Three Wise Men."
Preceded by their pages, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar were the last to arrive at the Palau. Toni Pérez welcomed them on behalf of the city, thanking them for their presence in Benidorm and "all the people who made it possible for you to be here today." As a request, the mayor asked Their Majesties for "peace, harmony, and health for all the children of Benidorm" who "have behaved very well."
After the welcome, the Three Wise Men distributed gifts to the children who had been waiting for them at the Palau and, at the end of the event, they visited the rest of the homes in Benidorm to spread joy and, of course, the much-anticipated toys that the little ones will discover as soon as they wake up in the morning.
