In this post: Get in the Christmas spirit with these classic villancicos (Spanish Christmas carols) you can sing with your kids.

Christmas Spanish Carols

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.

Today we’re going to take a closer look at the music and explore typical Spanish Christmas carols (villancicos). 

Whether you’re hanging decorations around the house or making your favorite Christmas dishes, these catchy songs will have you singing along and dancing all day. 

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.

Traditional Villancicos

Here’s a list of some of the most popular and traditional carols in Spanish along with the lyrics so you can learn and sing as a family. 

Spanish Carols Villancicos

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 Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui Ta
Apúrate mi burrito
que ya vamos a llegar.

Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui
Tuquituqui Tu qui 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 morning star,
Illuminates my path.

Refrain

With my little cuatro I go singing,
And my little donkey goes trotting,
With my cautro I go singing,
And my donkey goes trotting.
 
Refrain 
 
Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui,
Tuquituqui Tu qui Ta,
Hurry up my litttle donkey,
That now we are going to arrive.

Tuqui Tuqui Tuquituqui,
Tuquituqui Tu qui Ta,
Hurry up my donkey,
Let’s go see Jesus.

Refrain 

Arre Borriquito

This song ‘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 doorway
to teach men humility of his lineage.

Refrain

Tun Tun

This ‘villancico’ explores a Hispanic take on carolling 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

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.

Cascabel

Sung in the melody of the all time favorite, ‘Jingle Bells’, the ringing of the bells in this ‘villancico’ reflects the joy of Christmas and proclaims the birth of Jesus. 

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 x2

Ha llegado Navidad,
la familia alegre está, 
celebrando Nochebuena
en la paz del santo hogar x2

Estribillo x2

 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 x2

Christmas is here
The family is happy,
Celebrating Christmas Eve
the peace of the holy home x2

Refrain x2

Blanca Navidad

Think about the ambiance of a white Christmas, beautiful trees, children singing and of course snow all around. A classic villancico to enjoy!

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 x2 

 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 x2

Navidad Spanish Lessons for Kids

For an even more in-depth look at how Hispanics celebrate Christmas, we’ve compiled lots of fun, kid-friendly activities and resources you can use throughout the season. Find them here.

La navidad Christmas Spanish printables

We also have a Navidad thematic unit in our Llamitas Spanish Seasonal Bundle that includes vocabulary flashcards, an activity pack with Christmas-themed learning and a music playlist in Spanish (even more songs to enjoy).

The unit also comes with a  magazine full of engaging cultural readings, recipes and more. 

More ‘Villancicos’ and Christmas Resources

Check out the following posts for more Spanish resources for Christmas and winter thematic learning!

Spanish Christmas Songs on YouTube

Spanish Winter Books

Spanish Christmas Themed Books

Spanish Lessons for Navidad