By Molly Given
Every year, the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks closes out the holiday season with its annual Three Kings Celebration, and 2026 will be no different, with festivities set for Jan. 4.
On that date, from 2 to 6 p.m., the family-friendly event will be packed with activities and live music, all in celebration of El Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day). The holiday (typically celebrated on Jan. 6) marks the biblical story of the Three Wise Men (Los Reyes Magos) — Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar — who traveled to visit baby Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The tradition is typically celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries, parts of Europe, and among Latino communities around the world.
In many cultures, children receive gifts on Jan. 6 instead of (or in addition to) Christmas. Kids often leave out shoes or boxes the night before for the Kings to fill with presents, or communities will celebrate the occasion with colorful parades.
“There’s nothing more intimate to our culture than the celebration of the Three Kings Day. Scripturally and culturally, this traditional festivity is a reminder of the richness of Latin American folklore,” says Miguel Perez-Soto, ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board Member and Sr. Demand Planner at B. Braun Medical.
“Preserving this day brings me back to my days growing up in Puerto Rico and the experience of knowing that under my bed the Magi’s and their ‘co-conspirators’ (the Camels!!) left a special present that will enlighten my holidays. It is also a time when you can capture the pulse of childhood innocence through the belief in this significant historical and cultural event. Our community will have the opportunity to enjoy this tradition in an ambiance surrounded by presents, traditional food, live music and family.”
For the celebration at SteelStacks, visitors can hear a reading of the Story of the Three Kings (followed by gift-giving), check out arts and crafts, enjoy a visit with Einstein the Snow Camel or purchase Puerto Rican sweet and savory treats from Holy Infancy Church.
“The Three Kings activity is a cultural and religious celebration commemorating when the Three Wise Men brought gifts to the baby Jesus,” adds Iris Cintron, ArtsQuest Latin Programming Committee Member. “Many children in Latin American countries will receive their Christmas gifts on Jan. 6 as per this tradition. We aim to keep this tradition alive in our young people.”
To learn more about the Three Kings Celebration on the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem), visit artsquest.org