Every year, from December 28 to January 16, the city of Tizimín in Yucatán celebrates one of the oldest and most important traditions in the region: the Annual Fair of the Epiphany and the Three Magi. This fair honors the patron saints of the city, the Three Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, who are believed to have visited the child Jesus on January 6.
The fair has its origins in the ancient Maya culture, which used to pay homage to three deities: Yum Chaak (rain), Yum K’aax (agriculture), and Yum Ik (wind). Later, with the arrival of the Franciscans, these deities were replaced by the Three Kings, and a convent was founded in their name in the 18th century. Today, the convent is the second largest sanctuary of the Three Kings in the world, after the one in Cologne, Germany.
The fair is a mix of religious, cultural, and agricultural activities that attract thousands of visitors from nearby towns, Mérida, and other countries. The festivities begin on December 28, when the images of the Three Kings are taken from their niches to the main altar of the church. Then, the guilds of different trades and professions parade through the streets with music and dance, announcing the upcoming events. The first vaquería, a traditional Yucatecan dance, takes place on December 30 in front of the Municipal Palace, where the Queen of the Fair is crowned.
On January 3, the fairgrounds open with a large exhibition of livestock, farming, industry, and handicrafts. There are also shows of Jarana, folk dances, horseback rides, mechanical games, gastronomy, and a dog show. On January 5, another vaquería is held in La Venta de Vaqueras, a rural community near Tizimín. On January 6, the highlight of the fair is the procession of the Three Kings from the church to the fairgrounds, accompanied by thousands of devotees. On January 8, a thanksgiving mass is celebrated to conclude the religious part of the fair.
The Annual Fair of the Epiphany and the Three Magi in Tizimín is a unique opportunity to experience the rich heritage and diversity of Yucatán. It is a celebration of faith, culture, and joy that invites everyone to join and have fun.