3 Kings Day celebration ideas 

Every year, the magic of 3 Kings Day brings new Christmas excitement to children, who await gifts and surprises from the three wise men. Make this beautiful tradition even more meaningful this year by helping St. Jude kids facing cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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Artwork inspired by the tradition of the Three Wise Men by Tayde, a cancer survivor and patient at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis.

Artwork inspired by the Three Kings Day by Tayde, a cancer survivor and St. Jude patient

 
 
Art inspired by Christmas Day, created by St. Jude patient Adrienne.

Artwork by St. Jude patient Adrienne
 

What is 3 Kings Day?

Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) is a cherished Catholic tradition celebrated by many Latin American and Hispanic families. It originated in ancient times, commemorating the epic journey of Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar. These three wise men, coming from the East, were guided by a star to present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, born in Bethlehem, alongside his parents, Mary and Joseph. This beautiful tradition marks the end of the Christmas season in numerous Hispanic countries.

When is 3 Kings Day?

Three Kings Day is celebrated annually on Jan. 6.

 
 

Celebrate 3 Kings Day by supporting St. Jude

Celebrate with us this year by making a special gift that will bring joy and support to St. Jude families.

  1. Become a monthly donor

    Share the magic of this day by becoming a St. Jude Partner in Hope, and join a dedicated community of monthly donors who support our lifesaving mission to cure childhood cancer around the world. Donate $19 a month, and receive the iconic T-shirt: “This T-Shirt Saves Lives.” 

    Donate $19 Monthly

     
    Tina, St. Jude patient and cancer survivor.

    Tina, St. Jude patient and cancer survivor

     
     

  2. Rehabilitation balls

    Your $25 gift could help provide one rehabilitation ball for St. Jude patients. Rehabilitation balls help patients regain strength and mobility after cancer treatment.*

    Donate $25

     
    St. Jude patient Mayela holding a photo from when she was receiving treatment at the hospital.

    St. Jude patient Mayela

     
     

  3. Patient meals

    Your $50 gift could provide two days of meals to a patient.*

    Donate $50

     
    St. Jude patient Pepe drawing in an art class at the hospital

    St. Jude patient Pepe

     
     

  4. Chemotherapy IV tubing sets

    Your $100 gift could help provide five chemotherapy IV tubing sets sized especially to help children receive treatment.*

    Donate $100

     
    St. Jude patient Mateo standing and smiling in a hospital game room.

    St. Jude patient Mateo

     
     

  5. Support of our mission

    Any amount supports kids around the world. St. Jude is helping make lifesaving treatments available to more children in more places — because where they live shouldn’t determine if they live.*

    Give Any Amount

     
    St. Jude patient Yazleemar from Puerto Rico is sitting on a bench with the Puerto Rican flag.

    St. Jude patient Yazleemar from Puerto Rico

     
     

*Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

 
 
 

Other ways to support St. Jude this 3 Kings Day

 
Christmas products available at the St. Jude Gift Shop for the holiday season and Three Kings Day.

Shop special gifts for your family

There's nothing like celebrating with meaningful gifts! The St. Jude Gift Shop offers various products, from toys and home decorations to accessories. Your purchase will help the children of St. Jude and their families.

Shop the Gift Shop

 
Christmas gifts and special promotions available through corporate partners to benefit St. Jude for Christmas.

Shop brands that support St. Jude

During Christmas, there are many brands that support St. Jude with exclusive products and special promotions.  Explore how to help during this holiday season through our family of corporate partners.

Explore Christmas Gifts and Promotions

 
St. Jude patient Valentina smiles next to her mom.

Read a heartfelt story about St. Jude patient Valentina

Discover how Valentina, a St. Jude patient, and her family celebrate Three Kings Day—and share her story along with your favorite tradition

Read Valentina's story

To read more stories, visit our digital magazine, Inspire.

 
 

Your support helps patients like Pablo José

Pablo José, who lives in Guatemala, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2021 at the age of 5. He received treatment in his home country, but after 18 months his symptoms returned. Doctors referred him to St. Jude, where he received chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant.

"For me, St. Jude is another world," said his dad. "It is the best in every sense of the word, not only the people who work at St. Jude but the medicine they offer."

Donate Now Read More Patient Stories

 
St. Jude patient Pablo José with his sister smiling at the camera.

St. Jude patient Pablo José with his sister

 
 
Patient Kataleya stands and smiles as she gets a kiss from her mom and dad.

St. Jude patient Kataleya with her parents
 

Make an impact on St. Jude kids this 3 Kings Day!

Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from generous donors, we have the freedom to focus on what matters most — saving kids regardless of their financial situation.

You can make recurring gifts to St. Jude through our monthly giving program and become a Partner In Hope. Your donations will help sustain our lifesaving mission.

Donate Now Explore Other Ways to Give

 
 


Curious about 3 Kings Day? Check out our FAQ for answers.
 

 

  1. Three Kings Day represents the visit of the three wise men—Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar—to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Guided by a star, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbolizing honor, devotion and sacrifice.

    This tradition celebrates faith, generosity and the recognition of Jesus as the Son of God, marking the end of the Christmas season in many Hispanic and Catholic communities.

  2. Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) is celebrated primarily by Catholic communities in Latin America, Spain and many Hispanic families around the world. It’s especially popular in countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela and Spain, where families honor the tradition with festive meals, music and gift-giving. In the U.S., many Hispanic communities also keep this tradition alive.

  3. Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos) is a very special occasion for Hispanic families. Many celebrate it in grand style with family and friends, hosting a dinner featuring traditional holiday dishes like rice, pork and potato salad, while enjoying traditional music. They also observe the Eve of Three Kings Day on January 5, which serves as preparation for the holiday. Children gather grass from the fields and prepare water for the kings’ camels, placing them under their beds as part of the tradition to receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6. Families usually open presents early in the morning on January 6. This beautiful tradition marks the end of the Christmas season in many countries.

  4. The most common way to wish someone a happy Three Kings Day in Spanish is “¡Feliz Día de Reyes!”

 
 

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