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Epiphany on Jan. 6: Parades and Rituals Proceed as Peru and Mexico Clarify Workday Rules

The observance marks the close of Christmas with processions, nativity rites, roscas and gifts.

Overview

  • Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, falls on 6 January and commemorates the Magi’s visit, concluding the Christmas season with processions, blessings of the Niño Jesús, and the traditional Rosca de Reyes.
  • Peru has not declared 6 January 2026 a national holiday, with Decreto Legislativo No. 713 listing only New Year’s Day in January and no decree published in El Peruano adding Epiphany as a paid rest day.
  • In Mexico, 6 January is a regular workday under Article 74 of the Federal Labor Law, while the SEP school calendar suspends classes for preschool, primary and secondary students, with classes resuming on Wednesday, 7 January.
  • Cities are finalizing parade plans: Morelia hosts a Jan. 5 cabalgata following a 5 p.m. Mass, an 6 p.m. procession to the cathedral and a 7:30 p.m. message and blessing, while Ourense bans inverted umbrellas for candy collection, offers route geolocation via a municipal app and sets accessibility points.
  • Latino communities in the United States mark the day with church services and parades, including El Museo del Barrio’s long-running Three Kings procession in New York’s East Harlem, alongside at-home traditions like leaving shoes for gifts.