On January 6th, Mexicans celebrate the holiday "Epiphany", in honor of the three kings who sought out the baby Jesus to praise him with valuable gifts. This is the final stage of the Christmas season in Mexico, concluding several weeks of elaborate rituals.  In past years we had seen remnants of these displays, but this year we got to enjoy the full production.

The dioramas on display in the central Jardin Zenea include illustrations of a number of bible stories. Obviously the manger scene, with animals, shepherds, wise men, angels, and all the trimmings ("nacimiento") is a highlight. But other scenes include the annunciation to Mary by angel Gabriel, Joseph in his carpentry shop, and even the garden of eden and a depiction of hell.

• Annunciation - Mary and Gabriel Annunciation - Mary and Gabriel
• Lois in Eden Lois in Eden
• Nacimiento, night scene Nacimiento, night scene
• Mary and babe with burro Mary and babe with burro
• Joseph in carpentry shop Joseph in carpentry shop
• Adam and Eve in Eden Adam and Eve in Eden
• Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and heavenly host Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and heavenly host
• Satan Satan
• Don in Eden Don in Eden
•  

 
The whole city is decorated extravagantly for Christmas, which lasts until January 6. These are some of the Christmas decorations that we got to see this year:

• Lois in Plaza Constitution Lois in Plaza Constitution
• Casa de la Corregidora Casa de la Corregidora
• Queretaro City Hall (Palacio Municipal) Queretaro City Hall (Palacio Municipal)
• Jardin Guerrero Jardin Guerrero
• Plaza Constitution Plaza Constitution
• Plaza Constitution with full moon Plaza Constitution with full moon
• Plaza Constitution Christmas tree Plaza Constitution Christmas tree
•  

And on January 6, the season reaches a climax with the Three Kings themselves in diorama form:

• Three kings Three kings
• Gaspar Gaspar
• Melchior Melchior
• Camel, transport for Melchior Camel, transport for Melchior
•  

The finale is a party in the Jardin Zenea with local folks acting the parts of the three kings, and dispensing free gifts to all the children who wait patiently in line. Another feature of the day is the sharing of a special cake, called "Rosca de Reyes" (ring cake of kings). Pictured here are a couple of very miniature versions - but the usual ones look the same, only much larger. Each Rosca traditionally contains a small toy infant doll - and if you get the piece with the infant, you're obligated to supply tamales for the same group on Candelaria (Feb. 2).

• Pastoral Christmas Pastoral Christmas
• Three kings giving to kids Three kings giving to kids
• Kings with gifts Kings with gifts
• King with gifts King with gifts
• Kids receiving Kids receiving
• Kids in line for gifts Kids in line for gifts
• Two miniature Roscas de Reyes Two miniature Roscas de Reyes
•