Even after Christmas and New Year’s Day pass, holiday celebrations continue in Charlotte with Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) and Twelfth Night.
These traditional celebrations are expressions of Epiphany, which marks when, according to the nativity story, three wise men visited baby Jesus, bearing gifts.
In modern times, especially in Spain and Latin America, on Three Kings Day, children leave their shoes by the door of their houses, so that the three kings can come and leave them presents.
Traditionally, bakers make “Rosca de Reyes,” a sweet bread meant to represent a crown. The bread often has a plastic doll, representing the baby Jesus, baked inside. Whoever gets the slice of bread with the doll in it is Jesus’ guardian for the year. In some traditions, the person who gets the slice with Baby Jesus is responsible for cooking tamales for everyone on Día de la Candelaria on February 2nd!
Interested in treating yourself to Rosca de Reyes? Try Manolo’s Latin Bakery, 4405-C Central Avenue, Charlotte. Plan ahead, though, because they sell out.
Three Kings Day and Twelfth Night mark the end of the Christmas season.
Three Kings Day and Twelfth Night Events in Charlotte
Here’s what’s been announced so far. We’ll add more events as they’re announced.
Epiphany Celebration (Día de los Reyes Magos) at Mint Museum Randolph
Sunday, January 4, 2026
1 to 5 p.m.
Mint Museum Randolph
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
Free
Mint Museum Randolph’s celebration is held in conjunction with the exhibition Art of Devotion: The Santos de Palo Tradition of Puerto Rico. Enjoy exhibition tours, along with an afternoon of music, dance, storytelling, arts and crafts, a traditional Pastorela performance, and a taste of Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread).
Twelfth Night: Origins and Traditions
Saturday, January 3, 2026
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
President James K. Polk State Historic Site
12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville, NC
Free, but donations suggested (register at above link)
Learn how Twelfth Night became the “vanishing holiday.” Once the annual peak of parties, gift giving and weddings, Twelfth Night was gradually absorbed and squeezed out during the 19th century.
Epiphany Celebration (Día de los Reyes Magos) at Mint Museum Randolph
Twelfth Night: Spirits of the Season
Saturday, January 10, 2025
6 to 9
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC
$35
Age 21+
Ring in the new year with an evening of warmth, revelry, and local spirits! Join the Charlotte Museum of History for Twelfth Night: Spirits of the Season, a celebration of 18th-century holiday traditions and the history of distilling in North Carolina.
Explore the historic homesite at four tasting stations featuring local distillers and brewers (each ticket includes five tasting tokens, one per stop), enjoy live cooking demonstrations in the museum’s restored log kitchen, and soak in the music and merriment that fill the winter night. Take a guided Rock House tour to learn about the origins of Twelfth Night and other holiday customs, try your luck at the “Fortunes of the New Year” craft table, and see who will be crowned King or Queen of Twelfth Night.
The evening will close with Twelfth Night toasts and the ceremonial burning of the Yule log, a centuries-old tradition to usher in good fortune for the year ahead.
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However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
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