In this post: Get in the Christmas spirit with these classic villancicos (Spanish Christmas carols) you can sing with your kids.
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.
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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.
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.
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 Christmas Themed Books
Kimberly is a freelance writer from Trinidad and Tobago who was always fascinated by language and holds a B.A in Spanish with a minor in Linguistics. She considers herself to be a multipotentialite due to her many interests and a few of her favorite things include coffee, pasta and scented candles.