It’s an election year, and the Torrevieja City Council ‘s accounts reflect that. The City Council has approved the tender for the 2027 Three Kings Parade with a maximum budget of 296,725.75€, including VAT. This represents a 25.1 per cent increase of 59,467€ compared to the 2026 edition, which cost 237,258€. The governing team faces a tight timeframe, with only a two-month notice period to award the contract for an open supply tender of this size before the celebration.
The previous contract was held by Baluarte Eventos y Espectáculos, which handled the last three editions for the same annual price after being the sole bidder. The upcoming 2027 contract includes an option to extend into 2028.
The planned festivities encompass the parade in Torrevieja and La Mata, the arrival of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar by sea, a welcoming encampment from 3 and 4 January, and a Nativity scene in front of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
On 5th January, Their Majesties will land by sea at the port of Torrevieja near the Monument to the Man of the Sea. Municipal documents indicate construction work in the port area is expected to be finished by then. Public access will be managed using 500 metal barriers and 1,400 metres of decorative fencing stretching to the church.
The main procession in Torrevieja features five electric, self-propelled floats up to nine metres long and four metres high. Three floats are allocated individually to Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar with oriental motifs, while the remaining two represent the Nativity scene and the Star. More than 50,000€ is set aside to rent these floats for a few hours.
The artistic line-up includes:
- Dreamlike Fantasy: An animated performance with 25 costumed characters, dancers, and actors budgeted at 13,679€.
- Stilt Walkers: Eight professional stilt walkers costumed as mosquitoes, costing 10,079€.
- Ballet Troupes: Four groups of eight professional dancers. One group accompanies the Star float (7,199€), and three separate groups accompany each King (9,071.37€ each).
- Donkeys and Letter Collectors: Eight donkeys handled by performers dressed as Hebrews will distribute 2,000 small Spanish flags and collect children’s letters in chests (7,199€).
- Musical Bands: Three wind and percussion marching bands featuring at least 15 musicians each (10,799.25€).
Council staff will distribute nearly two tonnes (1,850 kilos) of soft, gummy bear-style sweets in wrappers printed with the municipal logo, valued at 16,951€. Costume logistics involve renting outfits for heralds and pages at 49,417€, six full outfits for the Kings, Nativity scene costumes, 156 satchels, and nine royal pennants.
Logistical provisions include ten coordination support staff, two basic life support ambulances, 500 1.5-litre water bottles, five Three Kings’ Day cakes, four bottles of cava, four bottles of cider, and 250 gifts budgeted at 5,399€ for visits to Torrevieja Hospital and the local nursing home.
In La Mata, two dedicated electric floats budgeted at 12,959€ will be used separately from the main town centre procession, carrying the Three Kings together alongside their royal pages.