The Best Latin American Christmas Music
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From upbeat cumbias to mellow boleros, these are the best Latin American Christmas songs to get you in the holiday spirit.
Christmas in Latin America
Christmas is a special time of year where family, friends, and loved ones come together to celebrate. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some festive Latin American Christmas music? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best Latin American Christmas music to get you into the holiday mood.
Christmas in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is a very special occasion. Mexicans celebrate Christmas with a variety of traditions, including Midnight Mass, special foods, music, and decorations.
One of Mexico’s most popular Christmas traditions is the Posada. Posadas are 9 nightly processions that take place December 16-24. Each night, a different couple plays Joseph and Mary, and they go from house to house looking for a place to stay. The homeowners act as innkeepers and turn them away until the ninth night, when they finally allow Joseph and Mary into their home.
Another popular Mexican Christmas tradition is the piñata. Piñatas are traditionally made out of clay pots or paper mâché and are filled with candy and small toys. The piñata is hung from a tree or ceiling, and blindfolded children take turns hitting it with a stick until it breaks open and the candy spills out.
Mexican Christmas music is also special. “La Araña” (“The Spider”) is a traditional Mexican Christmas song about a spider who weaves a web around Baby Jesus to keep him warm. Mexican composer Manuel Perez wrote “Los Pastores” (“The Shepherds”) in 1882. This beautiful melody tells the story of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus in the manger. “Las Posadas” (“The Inns”) is another traditional Mexican Christmas song that tells the story of Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay.
If you’re celebrating Christmas in Mexico, you’re sure to have a festive and memorable holiday!
Christmas in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a predominately Catholic country, so Christmas is celebrated with many of the same traditions as in other parts of Latin America. However, Puerto Ricans have their own unique way of celebrating the holidays.
One of the most popular Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico is the parranda. This is when a group of people go from house to house singing Christmas carols. The parranda usually starts late at night on Christmas Eve and can last until dawn. Another tradition is to decorate houses and streets with colourful lights and displays.
Puerto Rican families also like to enjoy a special Christmas meal together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This typically includes dishes such as roasted pig, arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), pasteles (stuffed pastry), tembleque (coconut pudding), and coquito (a rum-based coconut drink). Of course, no Puerto Rican Christmas would be complete without some music. Popular Christmas songs in Puerto Rico include “Campana Sobre Campana”, “Rosa Linda”, “Feliz Navidad”, and “Jingle Bells”
Christmas in Cuba
Cuba is renowned for its festive atmosphere at Christmas time, and the music played plays a big part in creating this atmosphere. Cuban Christmas music is a mix of Spanish and African influences, and often has a distinctly Caribbean feel to it.
One of the most popular genres of Cuban Christmas music is the son, which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century. The son is characterized by its distinctive rhythms, which are believed to have been influenced by both Spanish and African music. The son became very popular in Cuba in the early 20th century, and it continues to be one of the most popular genres of music on the island today.
Other popular genres of Cuban Christmas music include mambo, cha-cha-cha, and guajira. Mambo is a fast-paced style of dance music that originated in Cuba in the 1940s. Cha-cha-cha is another Cuban dance genre that became popular in the 1950s, while guajira is a slower, more sentimental style of music that is often associated with the rural areas of Cuba.
Latin American Christmas Music
Christmas Songs in Spanish
Christmas songs in Spanish are some of the most festive and beautiful holiday music you can hear. From traditional hymns to popular contemporary tunes, these Christmas songs will get you in the spirit of the season.
“A Belen Pastores” is a traditional Spanish Christmas carol that dates back to the 18th century. The song tells the story of the baby Jesus being born in a stable in Bethlehem and is often sung as a round.
“Campana Sobre Campana” is a popular Spanish Christmas carol that was first recorded in 1885. The song is about shepherds hearing the news of Jesus’ birth and includes the sound of bells ringing throughout.
“Los Peces en el Rio” is a traditional Advent song that tells the story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The fish in the river represent all of God’s creatures and their willingness to help those in need.
“Riu Riu Chiu” is a traditional Christmas carol from Catalonia, Spain that dates back to the 16th century. The song tells the story of the baby Jesus crying for joy at his birth.
“Susana y los Viejos” is a popular Mexican Christmas carol that was first recorded in 1914. The song is about an old woman who is visited by baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Songs in Portuguese
Some of the best Latin American Christmas music is sung in Portuguese. This beautiful language lends itself well to holiday songs, and there are many wonderful options to choose from. Below are just a few of the most popular Portuguese Christmas songs that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
“Noite Feliz” (“Silent Night”) is one of the most well-known Portuguese Christmas songs. It was written by Franz Gruber in 1818 and has been translated into many languages, including Portuguese. This version of the song is sung by Brazilian singer Maria Gadu and is sure to put you in a festive mood.
Another popular Portuguese Christmas song is “Abertura do Circo.” This lively tune was written by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos and is a favorite among children. It tells the story of a group of animals who put on a circus show for Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
If you’re looking for a more traditional sounding song, “O Trenzinho do Caipira” (“The Peasant’s Train”) is a great option. This Brazilian folk song was written by Villa-Lobos in 1917 and has been a holiday favorite ever since. It tells the story of a poor peasant who dreams of riding on a luxurious train on Christmas Eve.
Whether you’re looking for something traditional or something more modern, there are plenty of great Portuguese Christmas songs to choose from. So get in the holiday spirit and start singing along!
Christmas Songs in English
Most people in the United States are familiar with Christmas songs in English such as “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” and “Deck the Halls.” However, there are manyChristmas songs in other languages that are popular around the world. If you’re looking for something different this holiday season, why not try out some Latin American Christmas music?
There are plenty of great Latin American Christmas songs to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:
“El incomparable amor de Jesús” by Marco Barrientos
This powerful ballad celebrates the immeasurable love of Jesus Christ. It’s a perfect choice if you want to add a worship element to your holiday music playlist.
“Feliz Navidad” by Gloria Estefan
This classic Christmas song was originally sung in English, but it has been translated into many different languages over the years. Gloria Estefan’s version is sang in Spanish and is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit.
“Los peces en el rio” by Pandora
This fun and upbeat song tells the story of Three Kings travelling to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. It’s a great choice if you want to add some energy to your holiday music playlist.
No matter what your taste in music is, there’s sure to be a Latin American Christmas song that you enjoy. So turn up the volume and get ready to celebrate!
Best Latin American Christmas Music
The best Latin American Christmas music comes from a variety of countries and cultures. This type of music often has a festive and upbeat sound that can get you into the holiday spirit. Some popular Latin American Christmas songs come from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela.
This classic Christmas song was written and performed by Puerto Rican singer and musician Jose Feliciano. Released in 1970, it quickly became a holiday standard and has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The simple, catchy melody and Feliciano’s soulful vocals make this tune a timeless Christmas favorite.
Noche de Paz by Natalia Lafourcade
Noche de Paz, also known as “Silent Night,” is a beautiful ballad sung by Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. The song is from Lafourcade’s album, En familia, which is a collection of traditional Christmas songs revisited with a Latin American twist. Noche de Paz is a perfect example of Lafourcade’s talent for putting her own spin on classic holiday tunes.
The lyrics to Noche de Paz are in Spanish, but the meaning of the song is universal. The lyrics tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the peace that came over the world on that holy night. Lafourcade’s vocals are angelic and the music is simple but beautiful. This song is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!
White Christmas by Bing Crosby
“White Christmas” is a 1942 Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. The song was written while Berlin was residing at the elegant Ambassador Hotel in New York City. According to the Guinness World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 100 million copies worldwide. Other versions of the song, along with Crosby’s, have sold over 50 million copies.
