Palma builds new floats for the Three Kings parade

More sparkle, more floats: Palma redesigns the Three Kings parade

January 5 is a public holiday here — and in Palma that means the big Three Kings parade. This winter brings a concrete change that is already visible on paper: the city is having all the floats newly built. A total of 21 floats will be created, five more than in recent years. If you stroll through Santa Catalina in the afternoon and look into the workshops, you notice: it is not just being repainted, it is being rethought.

Who pays and who helps?

The Christmas season budget includes almost €847,000 — not a small sum for a celebration many of us have had marked on the calendar since childhood. Public companies have also announced they will contribute individual floats or materials. This means parts of the parade are supported by municipal enterprises, while other elements come from local craftsmen in the region.

I was at a workshop near the harbor early on a Wednesday morning last week; the air smelled of wood shavings and paint, and a carpenter told me that some figures are being built modularly so they can be reused in later years. A small sign of practicality that I liked — and that probably also saves the city some money.

The kings, their retinues and the route

It is also new that each of the three kings will have its own small retinue. More music, more dancers, more street action. The parade traditionally starts in the early evening, follows familiar routes through the old town and is expected to finish at the Plaça de Cort. For families with children it is the big moment: sweets, small gifts, and the obligatory waving as the floats go by.

Those responsible emphasize that safety and logistics are as important in the redesign as appearance. It is not only about splendor, but also about ensuring the floats can pass safely through narrow alleys — especially when it gets crowded. In conversations with organizers I often heard the word sustainability, meant as durable construction, not as a buzzword but as a practical requirement.

Why it stands out — and what remains

Some will ask why bother. Others are happy because the parade will feel fresher and offer more space for small productions. What stays with me are the faces of the children standing on cold January evenings with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. Whether with new or old floats, the heart of it is the shared celebration. Still, more floats and a larger budget show that Palma wants to actively maintain the tradition rather than let it run on autopilot.

If you go: wear a warm jacket, arrive early, and stay a little after the parade — street stalls often serve hot chocolate or churros. And if you are interested in details, visit the workshops before the parade starts. Sometimes the best story is behind the scenes.