Families marked Three Kings Day on Tuesday with religious traditions and the popular Rosca de Reyes cake, honoring the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus.
SAN ANTONIO — Communities across San Antonio are celebrating Three Kings Day on Tuesday, a holiday deeply rooted in Christian and Hispanic traditions.
Also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, the holiday is observed every January 6 and commemorates the biblical story of the Three Wise Men visiting Jesus 12 days after Christmas, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
One of the most recognizable traditions of the day is the Rosca de Reyes, a sweet, ring-shaped cake decorated with colorful fruit. Inside the cake is a small figurine representing baby Jesus.
At Bedoy Bakery, workers were up early Tuesday morning baking Rosca de Reyes alongside their regular pastries to meet the holiday rush.
Those who find the baby Jesus figurine in their slice are expected to host a gathering on Candlemas Day, February 2, a tradition similar to finding the baby in a Mardi Gras king cake. While it comes with responsibility, many also consider it a sign of good luck.
Other Three Kings Day traditions include parades and exchanging gifts with loved ones, especially children.
For many families, the holiday is a meaningful reminder of faith, culture and community, best celebrated with cake and time together.