BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It will be a faith-filled afternoon in honor of Los Tres Reyes.
ArtsQuest's Día de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) celebration takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7.
The free family event coincides with Epiphany Day on Jan. 6, which is celebrated by Latinos at the end of the Christmas season.
In Spain and in Central, Latin and South American countries, Día de los Reyes commemorates the journey of the Three Wise Men (Gaspar, Melchior, y Baltazar) to present the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is customary for loved ones to give gifts to each other during the celebration.
Now in its 12th year, the ArtsQuest festival is in partnership with PPL Corp. and La Mega, along with supporting sponsor, B. Braun Medical Inc.
Storytime, arts and crafts
The festivities begin with a reading of the origin of the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) followed by gift giving by ArtsQuests' volunteers.
Additionally, there will be an arts and craft setup and a special visit by Einstein the Snow Camel.
Holy Infancy Church will also serve traditional Puerto Rican eats for purchase like pernil, arroz con grandules and plantanos.
“Growing up in Bethlehem with Puerto Rican parents, the Christmas holiday season always included many festivities with family and friends where we celebrated joyfully by singing and dancing to “parranda” music, eating traditional Puerto Rican meals and most importantly making sure the young children received gifts and/or treats,” Myrna Rivera, member of the ArtsQuest Board of Trustees and Chair of the Latin Programming Committee, said in a release.
“We continue to share these traditions with our children during the Three Kings celebration at ArtsQuest to ensure these Holiday traditions are preserved for generations to come.”
Live music, skating sessions
Stick around for some seasonal cheer as DJs from La Mega radio spin some parrandas (Christmas songs) and other festive tunes at the Stacks' ice skating rink.
There will be skating sessions at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Tickets (including rentals) cost $23-26 (ages 14 and up), $20-23 (13 and younger), and $19-22 for ArtsQuest members.
For info, click here.
