When Is Three Kings Day Celebrated In 2017? History, Facts And Traditions Of Epiphany

Christmas Day may have been more than a week ago, but for some revelers, the holiday isn't over yet. Friday is Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, which honors the three wise men who used a star to find baby Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and gave him gifts the night of his birth.

Held annually on Jan. 6, Three Kings Day is the last of the 12 days of Christmas. It's recognized primarily by Catholic people and Orthodox Christians, the latter of whom observe it on Jan. 19, according to whychristmas.com. Also known as Día De Los Reyes Magos, the holiday is especially popular in countries like Mexico and Spain, where some followers celebrate on Jan. 5 — Epiphany Eve.

Three Kings Day is associated with a plethora of traditions. Read facts about the history and customs below, collected from 123Holiday.net, NBC News, Mad4Madrid, Quartz and holidays.net:

The three kings were named Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

They represented Arabia, Europe and Africa.

Epiphany used to be as big of a holiday as Christmas is today.

About 50 percent of Hispanics living in the U.S. recognize Three Kings Day. About a third of them buy gifts for the celebrations.

In Puerto Rico, people observing Three Kings Day listen to aguinaldos, or holiday folk songs.

The night before Three Kings Day, children put their shoes outside their doors. Sometimes, they put hay in them for the kings' camels to eat. In the morning, they wake up to find presents.

In Italy, people tell the story of La Befana, a woman who decided not to go with the three kings on their trip to Bethlehem. Legend has it that once they left, she felt bad and started her own journey to find the baby Jesus, and on her journey she encountered other children and gave them gifts.

Madrid holds one of its largest parades every year the day before Epiphany. The more than 1,500 people in the parade throw candy to kids along the route.

In New York City's Spanish Harlem, organizers will put on a parade with live camels. Chicago has a parade, as well.

One of the most famous Epiphany foods is the rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped cake with various colors on top. The rosca de reyes is baked with at least one small baby Jesus figurine inside. If you find it, you have to throw a party for Día de la Candelaria in February.

In Mexico, people drink hot chocolate with their Three Kings Day meals.