NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — El Museo del Barrio held its annual Three Kings Day Celebration in East Harlem on Monday as millions observed the holiday—also known as "Día de los Reyes," the Epiphany, Old Christmas and Little Christmas—worldwide.
The Three Kings Day Celebration, or Celebración del Día de los Reyes Magos, at the museum began in 1978 to keep the cultural tradition of the holiday alive. In many Latin American and Caribbean countries, it is celebrated annually by Christians to commemorate the biblical story of the Three Kings, or wise men, who followed the star of Bethlehem and brought gifts to the infant Jesus.
"There are 60 million Latinos in the U.S., and our Three Kings Day Celebration is a way of both celebrating and showing that this city is a diverse city, and that Latinos are part of the cultural fabric of New York," the executive director of El Museo del Barrio Patrick Charpenel said.
Each year the museum works to bring the community together with caroling, educational workshops and other programming that culminates with its festive parade.
Participants celebrate at the Three Kings Day Celebration by El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem on Jan. 6, 2025.Sarah Molano
El Museo del Barrio has been holding the Three Kings Day Celebration since 1978.Sarah Molano
The holiday celebrates the three wise men visiting and bringing gifts to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem in the Christian religion.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Participants flooded to the parade from all parts of New York City.Sarah Molano
A marching band walks in the Three Kings Day Celebration parade put on by El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem on Jan. 6, 2025.Sarah Molano
A marching band takes to the streets for the parade put on as part of El Museo del Barrio's Three Kings Day Celebration in East Harlem on Jan. 6, 2025.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Three Kings Day is celebrated across many Latin and Caribbean cultures, communities that are prominent across New York City.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A child wears a crown at the Three Kings Day parade out on by El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem on Jan. 6, 2025.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
