Breaking Bread Together: Día de los Reyes at Plaza Olvera
The traditional celebration of Día de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, came to life at El Pueblo with an evening of music, a festive procession, shared food, and a toy giveaway for children. The event honors the biblical story of the three kings visiting the baby Jesus, a moment marked each year on January 6 during the Epiphany.
At the center of the celebration was the Rosca de Reyes, also known as King’s Bread. Hidden inside the sweet bread is a small baby figurine, and tradition holds that whoever finds it hosts the celebration the following year. At El Pueblo, the custom was adapted so that finding the baby meant receiving a small gift, preserving the spirit of the tradition while welcoming the entire community to participate.
The symbolism of the Rosca de Reyes was shared throughout the evening. The colorful fruits represent the jewels of a crown, while the crisscrossed sugar patterns symbolize the cross. The hidden baby recalls the biblical story of King Herod’s search for the infant Jesus, adding deeper meaning to the tradition.
Chef Alex Peña guided attendees through a live baking demonstration, explaining that the Rosca is made with a rich dough similar to brioche. He walked guests through the ingredients, shaping techniques, and the process of baking the bread on site.
One attendee shared childhood memories of celebrating Three Kings Day with her grandmother and spoke about her desire to pass those traditions on to her own children. For her, the celebration was not only nostalgic, but also a meaningful way to teach the next generation about culture, history, and family.
As the historic birthplace of Los Angeles, El Pueblo is a department of the City of L.A. and regularly hosts free cultural events like this one.
To learn more about upcoming events at El Pueblo, visit ElPueblo.LACity.gov.
#ElPuebloLA #LACityResidents
At the center of the celebration was the Rosca de Reyes, also known as King’s Bread. Hidden inside the sweet bread is a small baby figurine, and tradition holds that whoever finds it hosts the celebration the following year. At El Pueblo, the custom was adapted so that finding the baby meant receiving a small gift, preserving the spirit of the tradition while welcoming the entire community to participate.
The symbolism of the Rosca de Reyes was shared throughout the evening. The colorful fruits represent the jewels of a crown, while the crisscrossed sugar patterns symbolize the cross. The hidden baby recalls the biblical story of King Herod’s search for the infant Jesus, adding deeper meaning to the tradition.
Chef Alex Peña guided attendees through a live baking demonstration, explaining that the Rosca is made with a rich dough similar to brioche. He walked guests through the ingredients, shaping techniques, and the process of baking the bread on site.
One attendee shared childhood memories of celebrating Three Kings Day with her grandmother and spoke about her desire to pass those traditions on to her own children. For her, the celebration was not only nostalgic, but also a meaningful way to teach the next generation about culture, history, and family.
As the historic birthplace of Los Angeles, El Pueblo is a department of the City of L.A. and regularly hosts free cultural events like this one.
To learn more about upcoming events at El Pueblo, visit ElPueblo.LACity.gov.
#ElPuebloLA #LACityResidents