No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsArts and CultureBeyond Feliz Navidad: Eight great holiday songs in Spanish and one in...

Beyond Feliz Navidad: Eight great holiday songs in Spanish and one in Ladino

Where I grew up in the U.S. southwest, “Feliz Navidad” played on the radio about 30 times a day during the entire month of December. But I don’t recall learning many, if any, other holiday songs in Spanish until a few weeks ago when my daughter started coming home from her school in San José singing a new one every day.

Only a couple of those are included below. The rest are recommendations from Latin American friends, plus a few other good finds. Some are originals, some are newer versions of old classics. Enjoy!

“Ven a Mi Casa Esta Navidad” (“Come to My House This Christmas”), Luis Aguile

“Mi Burrito Sabanero” (“My Savannah Burro”), Pedrito Fernández

“Arbolito de Navidad” (“Little Christmas Tree”), Pastor López (He also does a great version of “Mi Burrito Sabanero.”)

“Navidad de Los Pobres” (“Christmas of the Poor”), Los Tigres del Norte

“Ocho Kandelikas” (“Eight Little Candles”), Pink Martini

This Hanukkah tune is sung in Ladino, an ancient language derived mainly from Spanish and Hebrew but which also borrows from a handful of other languages. It developed among Spanish Jews and spread after Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492.

“Maldita Navidad” (“Damn Christmas”), Gabriel Romero

“Los Peces en el Río” (“The Fish in the River”), Ángela Aguilar and Pepe Aguilar

“Campanas de Belén” (“Bells of Bethlehem”), The I.C.

“Feliz Navidad” (“Merry Christmas”), Jared Smith (We had to have one spoof in here. If you’ve never heard of this guy, you can catch up here.)

Happy Holidays! Oh, and let us know which songs we missed.

Trending Now

Costa Rican Court Orders Release of Migrants Deported Under Trump Deal

A court on Tuesday ordered Costa Rican authorities to release foreign migrants who had been detained in a shelter after being deported under an...

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica