Christmas season is here, with a whole new offering of holiday songs in Spanish or Spanglish, including original songs or covers, and more than one album. While must-have classics like José Feliciano‘s “Feliz Navidad,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, remain in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Holiday 100 chart, artists like Maria Becerra and Thalia have new releases to add to your playlist this month.
The former released a bilingual version of the American classic “Jingle Bell Rocks,” adding verses in Spanish to the voice of Bobby Helms on the iconic original 1957 recording for a refreshing duet. The latter released the six-song EP Navidad Melancólica, fusing rhythms such as bachata and cumbia, and uniting pop with Christian music in a collaboration with Marcos Witt.
“This album was born from my need to preserve my childhood memories, transforming them into memories full of joy, hope and strength to fill my life with faith on these special dates,” Thalia wrote in an Instagram post.
The Latin music offering this Christmas is wide and varied, with songs to dance to, reflect on or simply enjoy with family or friends. Among those who released full albums is David Bisbal, with the 10-song set Todo Es Posible en Navidad, which includes an original song of the same title as well as Spanish versions of American classics. There is also Luis Angel “El Flaco” — with a Deluxe edition of his 2021 LP Feliz Navidad, to which he adds three new songs — and the Venezuelan musician Beet Acosta, with the luminous Christmas Express EP.
For those far from their loved ones, Joaquina captures the feeling of nostalgia in the song “Airport.” And, in a beautiful reflection, Ricardo Montaner addresses the story of Jesus’ birth from his mother’s point of view in “María”, to the rhythm of bachata.
The helpless romantic will enjoy a beautiful version of “Santa” performed by Zhamira Zambrano and Jay Wheeler, while another beloved couple of Latin music, Camilo and Evaluna, recorded “Navidad en cada corner (“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas).”
DJ Deorro with “Querido Santa Claus,” and Ryan Castro, Juanes and SOG with “Chucu Chucu,” bring laughter and fun just in time for the holidays, while Lupita Infante spreads her joy with “¡Navidad! ¡Navidad! Remix.”
Below, enjoy our list of Latin Christmas songs and albums released in 2024.
Venezuelan musician Beet Acosta presents a cheerful EP for Christmas, full of tropical sounds with a touch of urban fusion and beautiful arrangements. The project is made up of some original songs and some interpolations that have been released weekly, such as “Mi Muñeca,” “Jolidey” and “Joy to the World”. This Sunday, when the last song comes out, everything will be brought together under the title of Navidad Express.
Husband and wife Camilo and Evaluna collaborated on the Amazon Music Original “Navidad en Cada Esquina (It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas),” a tropical version of the American classic that maintains the nostalgia of the original, combined with the distinctive characteristic sound and style of both artists. The couple also recorded an informal live acoustic version that is available on YouTube.
David Bisbal released Todo Es Posible En Navidad, a 10-track album that includes the first single of the same title, co-written by the artist himself, as well as Spanish versions of American classics such as “Blanca Navidad (White Christmas),” “Te Deseo Muy Felices Fiestas (Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas)” and “Siempre te recordaré (Always On My Mind),” to name a few. Produced by Cheche Alara, the set offers beautiful orchestrations along with Bisbal’s warm voice, creating an ideal atmosphere for holidays.
DJ and producer Deorro combines traditional Christmas sounds with modern EDM and Latin beats, along wth sweet, fun lyrics. “Querido Santa Claus” is performed in the voice of a child, who in his letter to Santa doesn’t ask for gifts for himself — but for his family members, in a playful way.
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter ELENA brings a new version of her 2023 single “Quédate Conmigo esta Navidad,” a song that highlights the richness of Puerto Rican traditions and culture, and that now incorporates the characteristic sound of the Puerto Rican cuatro with the collaboration of the cuatristas Christian Nieves and Fabiola Muñoz.
In her new single “Aeropuerto,” Joaquina captures the joy of memories and nostalgia for the family she has left behind when emigrating. “The house remains the same, as if stopped in time/ The same tiles where the grandchildren ran at Christmas,” goes part of the lyrics. “The lines on your face get deeper every time we see each other/ The years go by, my cousins grow up.” It is a beautiful and sensitive song, ideal for those who celebrate Christmas away from their loved ones.
Banda singer Luis Angel “El Flaco” presents the Deluxe edition of his 2021 album Feliz Navidad, with three additional tracks, including two versions of popular songs and “Santa Plis,” the only original on the project. The main single of the production is “Amarga Navidad” by José Alfredo Jiménez, covered over the years by various Mexican singers.
Mexican music star Lupita Infante released “¡Navidad! ¡Navidad! Remix,” an updated version of the 2019 song included in her Christmas album Alegría y Esperanza, which will make everyone sing and dance: “Light up your hearts, Christmas is coming/ Let the joy be felt in all the streets of my town.”
Maria Becerra released a bilingual version of the Christmas classic “Jingle Bell Rock,” in which she provides new verses in Spanish. Originally written by Joe Beal and Jim Boothe and performed by American singer Bobby Helms, the song debuted in 1957 and has been covered by multiple artists.
According to a press release, this new reinterpretation was the idea of producer and composer Jason Nevins, who, inspired by emblematic duets such as that of Natalie and Nat “King” Cole in “Unforgettable,” proposed fusing Helms’ original voice with that of the Argentine star. The result is joyful and refreshing.
Ricardo Montaner released “Maria,” a Christmas song to the rhythm of bachata. Written by the artist himself and produced by Sergio George, the song is a reflection on the story of Jesus’ birth from his mother’s point of view.
“’Maria’ is my Christmas anthem,” Montaner said in a statement. “I imagined Mary, when she received the news that she would be the mother of the Great King. I imagined the responsibility she would feel and how disoriented she could be in the face of such a challenge. Who could have told her, who could have imagined.”
Urbano star Ryan Castro, rocker Juanes and hitmaker SOG join forces in this hilarious song that will make you laugh and dance. “Chucu Chucu” mixes the sounds of Antioquia with the characteristic urban rhythms of Castro, who introduces his alter ego ‘Richy,’ a character inspired by the culture of his region, who meets with his cousin ‘Toño,’ played by Juanes , creating a new party anthem under the production of SOG. With an equally fun video, the song will resonate beyond Christmas.
In Navidad Melancólica, Thalia evokes the joy and warmth of the holiday season through six songs fusing bachata, cumbia and other rhythms to create a festive, inviting atmosphere with which to celebrate Christmas. With titles like “Nueva Navidad,” “Velitas” and “Al Mundo Paz,” the Mexican superstar gives a beautiful gift to her fans. Also notable is “Nació La Luz,” with singer and producer Marcos Witt, where pop meets Christian music.
Zhamira Zambrano and Jay Wheeler bring the Christmas classic “Santa,” a sweet ballad which allows them to shine separately, before uniting their voices in a harmonious finale. The couple released the song along with a video performance inspired by the glamor of the 60s and 70s.