Las Galerías open Thurs. – Sun.
Las Galerías open Thurs. – Sun.
Las Galerías open Thurs. – Sun.
Las Galerías are Open | 11am – 5pm
Las Galerías are Open | 11am – 5pm
Las Galerías are Open | 11am – 5pm
Las Galerías are Open | 11am – 5pm
Three Kings Day Celebration poster
This year’s Three Kings Day Celebration poster was created by Bronx-native artist, Krystal Quiles.

Monday, January 6, 2025, | Free Admission

11:00 AM — 12:00 PM — Parade 

1:30 PM — 3:00 PM — Community Celebration in El Museo’s Teatro

Join us for El Museo del Barrio’s 47th Annual Three Kings Day Celebration! This year’s theme, The Arts Open Paths: Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Arts (Abriendo Caminos, Celebrando el Poder Transformativo de las Artes) celebrates the power of Latinx, Caribbean, and Latin American art to connect cultures and uplift communities. The Celebration will honor those individuals who made significant contributions to the Latinx community. 

Immerse yourself in vibrant performances, larger-than-life puppets, live camels, parrandas, and festive music as we honor the incredible contributions of our diverse heritage. Come witness the magic that art brings to our city by participating in our parade as it winds through the streets of East Harlem. 

After the parade, join us in El Museo’s Teatro for a Community Celebration, featuring live music and performances that honor the traditions of the Three Kings.

Pre-registration for all programs is required and space is limited. First-come, first-served.

Sponsors

Thank you to MSK Ralph Lauren Center, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Ponce Bank for partnering with us on this event.

Parade Information

11:00 AM — 12:00 PM — Parade

The parade will begin at 11:00 AM at 106th Street and Park Avenue and end at 12:00 PM at 115th Street and Park Avenue. We welcome the community to watch the parade along the route.

Held in El Barrio (East Harlem), New York, the Parade will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025. Immerse yourself in vibrant performances by BombaYo, Annette Aguilar & Stringbeans, Fogo Azul, and more; larger-than-life puppets; camels; parrandas; and festive music as we honor the incredible contributions of our diverse heritage. Come witness the magic that art brings to our city by participating in our parade as it winds through the streets of East Harlem.

School and Community groups interested in marching the parade must register in advance by January 2, 2025.

To participate, register below:


Soon after, we invite parade-goers to come back to El Museo del Barrio for a live musical performance in El Teatro from 1:30 –3:00 PM. 
RSVP here >

Participate in our Banner Contest

Join our Banner Contest and lead the parade! The winning class will earn the prestigious honor of leading the parade in the top spot reserved for schools, proudly showcasing their artwork for all to see. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!

schedule day-of

Join us for a special celebratory breakfast with sponsors, special guests, leaders, and of course our honorees.

Three Kings Day Parade

Parade begins at 106th St and Park Ave and ends at 115th St and Park Ave featuring music by BombaYo, Annette Aguilar & Stringbeans, Fogo Azul, and more.

March with us:

Three Kings Day Celebration

Hosted by award-winning Afro-Boricua artist, performer, and producer, Rhina Valentin, the program will feature a live performance by Fabiola Mendez, presented in partnership with Carnegie Hall CityWide. Doors open at 1:00 PM; Program from 1:30-3:00 PM. Space is limited, and seating is first-come, first-served. Pre-registration is suggested.
Free Admission. RSVP here >

Kings & Honorees

KING EMERITUS

Jesus 'PapoleTo' Melendez

Poet, playwright, performance artist, and long-time resident of El Barrio.

Long considered one of the original founders of the Nuyorican Movement, Meléndez addresses political, intellectual and linguistic topics in his work that remain relevant today. A New York-born Puerto Rican award-winning poet, playwright, teacher and activist, he began his career nearly 40 years ago as a poet-facilitator in public schools, working at workshop programs in California and New York. In 1974, Meléndez’s play, “The Junkies Stole The Clock,” was the first Latino play produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, The Public Theatre’s Nuyorican Playwright’s Unit. Over the years, Meléndez has performed his poetry with his musical group “Exiled Genius,” with Eugene Mingus on piano, and M’Chaka Uba on bass, a trio that combined the tradition of jazz spontaneity and precision with the natural melody of the poetic voice in poetry/jazz collaboration.

Kings

Headshot of Candida Alvarez

Candida Alvarez

Puerto Rican-Americanartist and educator

Candida Alvarez is a renowned Puerto Rican-American artist and educator celebrated for her vibrant, layered paintings that merge abstraction with cultural narratives. Her work has been exhibited in major institutions like the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and is part of prestigious collections such as the Art Institute of Chicago. Alvarez’s influential career includes numerous awards, and she is recognized for her profound impact on contemporary art and education. Alvarez’s work will be on display at her upcoming exhibition at El Museo titled Candida Albarez: Circle, Point, Hoop from April 24 – August 10, 2025.

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor of New York City Public Schools

Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos leads New York City Public Schools, the nation’s largest school system, with over two decades of experience in education and community development. Known for her commitment to equity and innovation, she has championed culturally responsive learning environments and initiatives that empower students and families. Previously, she served as Deputy Chancellor of Family and Community Engagement and Chief of Staff to Chancellor David C. Banks. In these roles, she oversaw programs like NYC Literacy Hubs, Family Literacy Ambassadors, and Project Open Arms, supporting the enrollment and success of over 45,000 new immigrant students.

Caridad De La Luz

Executive Director of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Caridad De La Luz is a world-renowned spoken word artist known as La Bruja. She became Executive Director of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in 2022 after beginning her career there in 1996. She won an Emmy in 2022 as Script Writer for Legacy of Puerto Rican Poetry.

MADRINAS

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa

First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa is the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, appointed in February 2022 as the first woman and Latina to hold this position. Throughout her career, she has championed arts and cultural programming within parks, securing funding for events like movie nights, family days, and concerts to enrich community engagement. As Bronx Borough Parks Commissioner, she facilitated the merger of the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy to form the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, enhancing support for the park’s recreational, ecological, and historical value. Her dedication to integrating the arts into public spaces has significantly contributed to the cultural vitality of New York City’s communities.  

Daisy Rodriguez

Executive Director of Government and Community Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Daisy Rodríguez is the Executive Director of Government and Community Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), where she leads efforts to secure public funding and strengthen relationships with elected officials and communities. A lifelong New Yorker with extensive experience in government and cultural advocacy, she previously held roles at the American Museum of Natural History and Senator Charles Schumer’s office, championing public engagement and support for transformative initiatives.

Rhynna M. Santos

Bronx Women’s Photo Collective

Rhynna M. Santos is a Puerto Rico-born documentary photographer and teaching artist living and working in the Bronx. Her art captures the complex lives and perspectives of people of color in her community. As a founding member of the Bronx Women’s Photo Collective and curator of Everyday Bronx on Instagram, Santos’s photos showcase her community’s multidimensional experiences. Her works have been featured nationally and internationally. Santos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies from UCLA.

Andrea Sofia Matos Headshot

Andrea Sofía Matos

Arts & Wellness Coordinator at Urban Health Plan

Andrea Sofía Matos is a curator and arts administrator from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, who specializes in contemporary Caribbean art and its diaspora. In her current role as the Arts & Wellness Coordinator at the Urban Health Plan in New York City, Matos is developing a program to foster community healing. Matos holds an MA in Visual Arts Administration from New York University (2024) and a BA in Art History and Photography from Florida International University (2021).

Milteri Headshot

Milteri Tucker Concepcion

Founder and Artistic Director of BOMBAZO Dance Co.

Milteri Tucker Concepción, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is the Founder and Artistic Director of BOMBAZO Dance Co. She holds degrees in Dance, Biology, and Chemistry, along with a Master’s in Dance Education from New York University. A master Bomba dancer, she has apprenticed with Bomba elders across Puerto Rico and lectures nationally and internationally on Bomba technique and culture. Milteri has performed at renowned venues such as Alvin Ailey, City Center, and El Museo del Barrio and has worked with distinguished dance companies and choreographers. Through her work, Milteri continues to celebrate and elevate Puerto Rican culture.

PADRINOS

Ron Kavanaugh

Founding Director of the Literary Freedom Project

Ron Kavanaugh is a dedicated literary activist and the visionary founder and director of the Literary Freedom Project, a vibrant arts organization rooted in the Bronx. Raised in the Bronx, Kavanaugh has contributed his passion and expertise to numerous local arts organizations, such as The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx Council on the Arts, and En Foco, Inc.

Eric Velasquez Headshot

Eric Velasquez

Author and Illustrator

Eric Velasquez, an author and illustrator born in East Harlem (El Barrio), holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts. He has illustrated over 35 children’s books. His debut picture book, The Piano Man by Debbie Chocolate, won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Eric is also the author and illustrator of Grandma’s Records and its follow-up, Grandma’s Gift, which won the Pura Belpré Award for Illustration. Additionally, he illustrated Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, a book that received five starred reviews and won the Walter Award from the We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) organization and the SCBWI Golden Kite Award. Eric teaches book illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Father Eric Cruz

Catholic Charities Director of Bronx, Westchester, Putnam Services

Father Eric Cruz serves as a dedicated leader and advocate within Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, where he works tirelessly to address the needs of underserved communities. A passionate pastor and community organizer, Fr. Cruz combines his deep faith with a commitment to social justice, focusing on issues such as poverty, immigration, housing, and hunger relief. His leadership has been instrumental in coordinating large-scale initiatives that bring resources and hope to families across New York City, including disaster recovery efforts and advocacy for immigrant rights.

Carlos Diaz

Community Advocate

Carlos Diaz, born in 1950 to Puerto Rican migrant parents, was raised in East Harlem. A lifelong community servant, Diaz began his career mentoring youth at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. Passionate about the arts, Diaz has collaborated with El Museo del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York, and the permanent gallery on stickball at Taino Towers. He has also championed the preservation of East Harlem’s cultural heritage through his leadership roles in organizations like the Arturo Schomburg Democratic Club and the NYC Stickball Hall of Fame. Diaz has received multiple commendations, including the Latino Golden Age Gerontological Award, and was instrumental in Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. His life’s work reflects his unwavering commitment to serving New York City’s communities through advocacy, culture, and connection.

Brandon Espinosa headshot

Brandon Espinosa

Founder of The Salsa Project

Brandon Espinosa, a Bronx native of Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, is the founder of The Salsa Project, an initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting salsa music and culture for future generations. Inspired by his early exposure to salsa through his mother’s connection to Fania Records, Brandon launched The Salsa Project in 2018 to engage younger audiences through a blend of events, storytelling, and community-building activities. 

parade talent

Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans

Photo of BombaYo!

BombaYo!

Resources

El Museo del Barrio Logo (text only)

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