12 Spanish Christmas Songs for Kids
If you are looking to add some Spanish language practice to your Christmas season, these classic Spanish Christmas songs, or villancicos, on Youtube are the perfect way to do it.
Here you will find some classic Spanish Christmas songs for kids mixed with your childhood favorites. We have also included some Christmas songs such as Silent Night and Jingle Bells in Spanish too.
Listen to these songs within the post or over on Youtube. All will be sure to add some Spanish vocabulary to your kiddos repertoire and some extra joy and dancing to your home.
1. Mi Burrito Sabanero / El Burrito de Belén
This Spanish Christmas song was written by Venezuelan Hugo Blanco. It was first recorded back in 1972, and is still a favorite of Spanish speakers around the world.
This fun, catchy tune tells the story of a donkey’s journey to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. Not only will you hear this song around Christmas time but it is also a popular song at children’s gatherings.
2. Los Peces en el Río”
It is uncertain who originally wrote this Spanish Christmas song or exactly when it was written. However, this is a very popular Christmas carol or “villancico” in Spanish speaking countries.
This song is slightly different from most Christmas songs because it is focused on Mary instead of Jesus. The words of the song are also not your typical Christmas tune.
There are several different interpretations regarding the meaning of the song. Some say that “Los Peces en el Río” is full of symbolism referring Jesus and his legacy. Others say that it is just a song about Mary doing day-to-day activities.
3. Campana Sobre Campana
Although “Campana Sobre Campana” is considered one of the oldest villancicos, its exact date of origin is unknown. We do know that the song originated in the Andalusian region of Spain around the twentieth century.
This is a very simple, happy tune is a favorite of children and adults alike. The Christmas song tells of bells ringing to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.
4. Noche de Paz” (Silent Night in Spanish)
This Christmas song is “Silent Night” in Spanish. The song was initially a poem written by pastor Joseph Mohr.
On December 24, 1818 he asked his friend, Franz Gruber to put his poem to music. That night, the song was preformed for the first time at the Christmas Eve service in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
This Spanish Christmas carol has since been translated into over 140 languages and is enjoyed around the world.
5. Navidad, Navidad / Dulce Navidad” (Jingle Bells in Spanish)
Another great translation, this Christmas song is “Jingle Bells”. in Spanish “Jingle Bells” was written in the United States by James Lord Pierpont in 1857. It was originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh”.
There is some debate around where exactly in the U.S. he wrote the song. Each possible location comes with its own story of why the song was written.
Despite its ambiguous beginnings, “Jingle Bells” is now a very well-known song that has been translated into many different languages and performed by a variety of artists.
6. Feliz Navidad”
This bilingual classic was written in 1970 in the U.S. by Puerto Rican artist Jose Feliciano.
He was asked to write an original Christmas song and wanted to create something for everyone so he created this bilingual tune that has served to unite Spanish and English speakers throughout the world.
7. Para Pedir Posada
This song is specific to Mexico but the tradition itself occurs in many Spanish speaking countries. Las posadas are a nine day celebration from December 18-24th to remember Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay.
Each night, community members go to a party at a different person’s house. They stand outside and sing this song, pidiendo posada, or a free place to stay.
The owner of the house lets them in after the song has ended and gives participants something to eat or drink. Sometimes children also get to break a piñata.
8. Los Pastores a Belén / Los Pastores
This is another classic Spanish Christmas song that tells the story of the shepherds and townspeople making their way to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus.
Although it is a very popular song that has been sung by many different artists, there is little information about the song’s origin.
9. El Año Vejo
Although this song is technically geared toward New Year’s Eve, it is still commonly heard during the Christmas season and is regarded as classic, especially by the Mexican community.
It was recorded in 1953 by Tony Camargo and written by Columbian composer Crescencio Salcedo. The song is about remembering all the good things the passing year has given us.
10. Ven a Cantar
This song reminds us of the importance of fighting for our dreams and taking the time to realize all we have accomplished in the year that has passed. This song was written by José Ramón García Flórez and first performed in 1986 by a group of popular artists of the time for the Christmas album “Eterna Navidad”. To this day, “Ven a Cantar” is the most popular song from that album.
11. El Reno Rodolfo (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in Spanish)
This is famous Christmas song “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” in Spanish. Rudolph was invented in the U.S. by writer Robert L. May in 1939 as a children’s book. Later, the author’s son-in-law helped him turn the book into a song.
That song was discovered and performed by singer Gene Autry.
By 1949, Rudolph was topping the charts as a the popular Christmas song we know today. It has since been translated into several other languages and is known around the world.
12. El Niño del Tambor – (The Little Drummer Boy in Spanish)
This is the Spanish translation of the popular Christmas song “The Little Drummer Boy”. The song was initially called “Carol of the Drums”.
Although historians aren’t 100% sure who wrote the song, some say it was first written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941 based on a Czech carol. It was first performed by the Trapp Family Singers in 1951.
Since then, there have been hundreds of versions recorded and many translations of this famous song.
Christmas Songs in Spanish
Now you can add a little extra Spanish to your holiday season with these Spanish Christmas songs and Christmas carols in Spanish for kids and families.
Not only do you get a new spin on some of your old favorite Christmas songs but you just might find a new favorite among these Spanish classics.
Looking for more Spanish songs? Check out our lists:
For more Spanish learning resources, make sure to check out our LEARN SPANISH FOR KIDS series with lots of fun and free activities! Join us in our Facebook Group – Raising bilingual kids in Spanish.
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