You eat Rosca de Reyes on January 6, for Día de Reyes or Epiphany, usually as a family or community gathering with hot chocolate, coffee, or atole.

When do you do the Rosca de Reyes?

  • The traditional day is January 6 , which is Three Kings’ Day / Día de Reyes / Feast of the Epiphany.
  • In many Mexican and Latin American homes, it’s eaten in the morning or evening of January 6 as everyone gathers to cut their slice.

What happens during the gathering?

  • People take turns cutting a slice of the wreath-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits that symbolize the kings’ jeweled crowns.
  • Hidden inside are small baby figurines representing baby Jesus; whoever gets one is “chosen” for the next part of the tradition.

If you find the baby, then what?

  • The person who finds the baby is traditionally expected to host or provide food for the next get‑together, usually on February 2 (Día de la Candelaria).
  • That later celebration often includes tamales and hot chocolate or atole , closing out the Christmas season in many communities.

Is it ever done on other days?

  • Bakeries and supermarkets often sell Rosca de Reyes in the days leading up to January 6 , so some families will cut it slightly earlier or repeat it more than once.
  • In Spain and parts of Latin America, similar kings’ cakes can appear throughout early January, but January 6 remains the main and most symbolic date.

TL;DR: You “do” the Rosca de Reyes by sharing and cutting it with others on January 6 , and whoever finds the baby inside hosts the February 2 Candlemas gathering.

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