In this post: Get in the holiday spirit with these festive Spanish Christmas songs for kids—including traditional Spanish carols and fun music videos.
Singing Christmas songs together is a wonderful way to learn Spanish vocabulary while celebrating the season. With their familiar melodies, repetitive lyrics, and rich cultural traditions, Spanish Christmas songs make language learning natural and fun for kids.
That’s why we’re sharing these classic villancicos and popular Spanish Christmas music videos for kids on YouTube, plus playlists and learning resources to help your family enjoy la Navidad in Spanish this year!
Table of Contents
Why Learn Spanish with Christmas Songs?
It’s often said that the Christmas season is one of the happiest times of the year. As with many festivities and celebrations, Christmas has its own set of food, traditions, and music which make the holiday extra special and enjoyable.
Learning Spanish with Christmas songs is perfect for:
- Building vocabulary and pronunciation
- Retaining new words with repetition and rhythm
- Exposure to Spanish holiday traditions
Are Spanish Christmas songs good for beginner Spanish learners?
Many Spanish Christmas songs are simple and repetitive with short verses, making them perfect for beginners! The familiar, catchy melodies also help to make these songs easy to learn and memorable for kids.
What are Villancicos?
Villancicos can be described as traditional Spanish songs with religious or spiritual significance that are usually sung at Christmas time.
They’re easy to learn because they are typically made up of short verses (coplas) and refrains (estribillos). In English, we refer to them as Christmas carols.
Classic Villancicos to Sing with Your Kids
Here are some of the most popular and traditional carols in Spanish along with the lyrics so you can learn and sing as a family.
Mi Burrito Sabanero
Eager to get to Bethlehem, the little donkey and his owner hurry along the way while singing.
| Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén Estribillo: Si me ven, si me ven Voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven Voy camino de Belén El lucerito mañanero, ilumina mi sendero El lucerito mañanero, ilumina mi sendero Estribillo Con mi cuatrico voy cantando y mi burrito va trotando Con mi cuatrico voy cantando y mi burrito va trotando Estribillo Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui Tuqui tuqui tuqui ta Apúrate mi burrito que ya vamos a llegar Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui Tuqui tuqui tuqui ta Apúrate mi burrito vamos a ver a Jesús Estribillo | With my little donkey, I’m going to Bethlehem With my little donkey, I’m going to Bethlehem Refrain: If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem If they see me, if they see me I’m on my way to Bethlehem The little morning star, illuminates my path The little morning star, illuminates my path Refrain With my ukulele I go singing and my little donkey goes trotting With my ukulele I go singing and my little donkey goes trotting Refrain Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui Tuqui tuqui tuqui ta Hurry up my little donkey we are going to arrive soon Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui Tuqui tuqui tuqui ta Hurry up my donkey, we’re going to see Jesus Refrain |
Arre Borriquito
This villancico is filled with anticipation as a donkey makes his way to Bethlehem to join those eagerly awaiting the birth of Jesus.
| Tengo puesto un nacimiento En un rincón de mi casa. Con pastores y pastoras Y un palacio en la montaña Allí vive el rey Herodes Allí viven sus soldados Todos están esperando Que lleguen los reyes magos Estribillo: Arre borriquito, arre burro arre Vamos más deprisa que llegamos tarde Arre borriquito vamos a Belén Que mañana es fiesta y al otro también En el cielo hay una estrella que a los Reyes Magos guía Hacía Belén para ver a Dios, hijo de María Cuando pasan los monarcas, sale la gente al camino Alegres se van con ellos para ver al tierno niño Estribillo Hacia el portal de Belén se dirige un pastorcito Cantando de esta manera para alegrar el camino Ha nacido el niño Dios en un portal miserable Para enseñar a los hombres la humildad de su linaje Estribillo | I have a nativity scene In the corner of my house With shepherds and shepherdesses And a palace on the mountain. King Herod lives there Soldiers live there They are all waiting For the Magi to arrive. Refrain: Giddy-up little donkey, giddy-up donkey, giddy-up. Hurry up because we’re late, Giddy-up little donkey, we’re going to Bethlehem Because tomorrow is a holiday and the day after too There in the sky a star that guides the Magi to Bethlehem To see God, the son of Mary When they pass the monarchs, people head out on the road Happily they go with them to see the tender child Refrain To the gateway of Bethlehem a shepherd is directed Singing this way to brighten the way The baby God has been born in a wretched door To teach men humility of his lineage Refrain |
Noche de Paz
This is a Spanish version of ‘Silent Night’ with variations from the English classic carol. However, you can sing along as you’ll already know the melody.
| Noche de paz, noche de amor Todo duerme derredor Entre los astros que esparcen su luz Bella anunciando al niño Jesús Brilla la estrella de paz Brilla la estrella de amor. Noche de paz, noche de luz Ha nacido Jesús Pastorcillos que oid anunciad No temáis cuando entréis adorar Que ha nacido el amor Que ha nacido el amor. Desde el pesebre del niño Jesús La tierra entera se llena de luz Porque ha nacido Jesús Entre canciones de amor. | Night of peace, night of love All nearby, sleeping tight Among the stars that spread their light Beautifully announcing the baby Jesus The star of peace shines The star of love shines. Night of peace, night of love Jesus is born Shepherds who hear the announcement Don’t be afraid when you enter to adore Love is born Love is born. From the manger of baby Jesus The whole earth is filled with light Because Jesus was born Among love songs. |
Los Peces en el Río
This Christmas carol in Spanish is one of the most popular in Spain and Latin America. It portrays the fish in the river who are excited about the birth of Jesus and the virgin Mary who goes about her daily life.
La Virgen se está peinando Entre cortina y cortina Sus cabellos son de oro Y el peine de plata fina Estribillo: Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido Beben y beben y vuelven a beber Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer La Virgen está lavando Y tendiendo en el romero Los angelitos cantando Y el romero florecido Estribillo La Virgen está lavando Con muy poquito jabón Se le picaron las manos Manos de mi corazón | The Virgin Mary is combing her hair Between the curtains Her hairs are of gold And the comb of fine silver Chorus: But look at how the fishes in the river drink But look how they drink in order to see God born They drink and they drink and they return to drink The fishes in the river, to see God being born The Virgin washes diapers And hangs them on the rosemary The birdies singing And the rosemary blooming Chorus The virgin is washing herself With a little bit of soap Her hands have been irritated The hands of my heart |
Campana Sobre Campana
This is another traditional Spanish Christmas carol and has been translated into more than 100 languages. In this song, the angels ring the bells of Bethlehem to invite everyone to see the baby Jesus in the manger.
| Campana sobre campana Y sobre campana una Asómate a la ventana Verás al niño en la cuna Estribillo: Belén, campanas de Bélen Que los ángeles tocan Qué nuevas me traes Recogido tu baño ¿A dónde vas pastorcillo? Voy a llevar al portal Requesón, manteca y vino Estribillo Campana sobre campana Y sobre campana dos Asómate a la ventana Porque está naciendo Dios Estribillo Caminando a media noche ¿Dónde caminas pastor? Le llevo al niño que nace Como Dios mi corazón Estribillo | Bell upon bell is ringing, And over those bells, one more. Look out through the window, You’ll see the Child in the cradle. Refrain: Bethlehem, bells of Bethlehem, Ringing as angels play. What news do you bring to me today? With your bundle gathered, Where are you going, little shepherd? I’m going to the stable With curds, butter, and wine. Refrain Bell upon bell is ringing, And over those bells, two. Look out through the window, For God Himself is being born. Refrain Walking at midnight, Where do you go, shepherd dear? I bring to the newborn Child, As God, my heart sincere. Refrain |
El Tamborilero (Canticuentos)
The Spanish version of the ‘Little Drummer Boy’ Christmas carol. A poor boy has nothing to gift the baby Jesus except his song on the drums.
| El camino que lleva a Belén Baja hasta el valle que la nieve cubrió Los pastorcillos quieren ver a su Rey Le traen regalos en su humilde zurrón Ropoponpon, ropoponponpon, al Niño Dios Yo quisiera poner a tus pies Algún presente que te agrade Señor más tú ya sabes que soy pobre también Y no poseo más que un viejo tambor Ropoponpon, ropoponponpon, con mi tambor | The road that leads to Bethlehem Goes down through the valley covered deep in snow The little shepherds want to see their King They bring Him gifts in their humble packs Ropopompom, ropopompompom, to God’s son I wish I had something to lay at Your feet Some gift that would truly please You, Lord But You already know that I am poor as well And I own nothing but an old drum. Ropopompom, ropopompompom, with my drum. |
Tun Tun
This villancico explores a Hispanic take on caroling as friends visit each other to celebrate Christmas with music and sweets.
| Estribillo: Tun Tun ¿Quién es? Gente de paz. Ábrannos la puerta que ya es Navidad. (x2) Que vengan los amiguitos Queremos festejar Con música y con dulces el año que vendrá. Estribillo | Refrain: Knock knock. Who’s there? Friends and good cheer. Open up the door Christmas is here. (x2) Come all our friends We want to celebrate The coming year with music and sweets. Refrain |
Secular Fun Spanish Christmas Songs on YouTube
Blanca Navidad
Think about the ambiance of a white Christmas, beautiful trees, children singing and of course snow all around.
Related post: Winter Spanish Activities for Kids
| Con una blanca Navidad sueño y pareciera que fue ayer. Árboles brillando, niños cantando nieve y campanas por doquier. Con una blanca Navidad sueño Mensajes que yo escribiré Deseando a todos amor y paz Y una linda, feliz Navidad. | I’m dreaming of a white Christmas and it seems like yesterday. Trees shining, children singing Snow and bells all around. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas The messages I’ll write Wishing everyone love and peace And a merry, happy Christmas |
Cascabel
Sung in the melody of the all time favorite, ‘Jingle Bells’, the ringing of the bells in this Christmas song reflects the joy of Christmas.
| Ha llegado Navidad La familia alegre está Celebrando Nochebuena En la paz del santo hogar Estribillo: Cascabel, cascabel, lindo cascabel Con sus notas de alegría va anunciado él | Christmas is here The family is happy Celebrating Christmas Eve The peace of the holy home Refrain:Jingle bells, jingle bells Sweet jingle bells With joyful sound you announce him |
Feliz Navidad (Canticos)
Canticos is a fantastic music resource for bilingual kids! We love this version of ‘Feliz Navidad’ (Merry Christmas). See all your favorite Canticos characters dressed up and ready for Christmas!
| Feliz navidad, feliz navidad, feliz navidad Prósero año y felicidad I want to wish you a Merry Christmas From the bottom of my heart. | Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas Happy new year and happiness I want to wish you a Merry Christmas From the bottom of my heart. |
El Reno Rodolfo
Everyone knows this popular song in English (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer), and now you can learn the Spanish version! Note: The Spanish lyrics are not exactly the same so we have provided a more accurate translation of the Spanish lyrics version below.
| Era Rodolfo el reno que tenía la nariz Roja como un tomate y de un brillo singular Todos sus compañeros se reían sin parar Y nuestro buen amigo no paraba de llorar Pero Navidad llegó, Santa Claus bajó Y a Rodolfo lo eligió por su singular nariz Tirando del trineo, fue Rodolfo sensación Y desde aquel momento, toda burla se acabó | It was Rudolph the reindeer, the one with the nose As red as a tomato, with a very special glow. All of the others laughed at him endlessly, And our poor little friend could do nothing but cry. But then Christmas arrived, Santa came down one night, And he chose Rudolph because of that nose shining bright. Leading the sleigh, Rudolph became quite the star, And from that very moment, the teasing went no more. |
Santa Claus llegó a la ciudad
Santa Claus is coming to town! An upbeat and fun family favorite, and now you can enjoy it in Spanish too!
| Sabes mi amor, pórtate bien No debes llorar, ya sabes por qué Santa Claus llegó a la ciudad Él todo lo apunta, él todo lo ve Y sigue los pasos, estés donde estés Santa Claus llegó a la ciudad Te observa cuando duermes Y te mira despertar No intentes ocultarte de él Pues siempre te verá Él sabe de ti Él sabe de mí Él todo lo sabe No intentes huir Santa Claus llegó a la ciudad | You know, my dear, you’d better behave, Don’t you cry, you know the reason why: Santa Claus has come to town He writes everything down, he sees it all He follows your steps wherever you are Santa Claus has come to town He watches you when you’re sleeping He sees you when you wake Don’t try to hide from him Because he’ll always see you He knows about you He knows about me He knows everything Don’t try to run away Santa Claus has come to town |
Spanish Navidad Lessons for Kids
For an even more in-depth look at Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries, check out our Navidad thematic unit in our Llamitas Spanish Seasonal Bundle.
It includes vocabulary flashcards, an activity pack with:
- Learn the Classic Villancico “Mi burrito sabanero”
- Discover beloved Hispanic traditions like Los Reyes Magos and Las Posadas
- Write a letter in Spanish to Santa
- Themed games, worksheets, flashcards, and more
Founder of the Llamitas Spanish® Curriculum and former Spanish teacher. Corrie holds two Master Degrees in Spanish and Education. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and two bilingual children.