1. "El Burrito Sabanero" by Hugo blanco (Venezuela) The Christmas song that every latino kid knows by heart! Created by Venezuelan composer Hugo Blanco and first sang by the iconic singer Simon Diaz, it has been re-recorded by artists from all over Latin America, from pop hero Juanes to reggaeton one hit wonder Flex.
2. "Ron pa To' El Mundo" by Joe Arroyo/ Diomedes Diaz (Colombia) Two giants of latin music got together and threw this anthem, about rum for everyone, which just about sums up Christmas for the population of this Total Party nation. Hard to doing a party in Colombia or Venezuela during December festive period without this song!
3. "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano (Puerto Rico) Probably the best known Christmas song in Spanish worldwide, the simplicity of the song (only 6 words in the entire song!) has not stopped artist like Michael Bublé and Andrea Bocelli making versions to it... even David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff had a go at it! But there is nothing like the Puerto Rican legends' original version
4. Sumo - Noche de Paz (Argentina) Trust the Argentines to shake Christmas up a bit! Away from the tropical traditions and Spanish renditions of American Christmas classics, the rebels of Southern Cone inject a bit of punk into the festive season with this ingenious take on the German Christmas carol "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" (Silent Night). Italian-Scottish Luca Prodan, leading the legendary Argentine band Sumo, sings in German, English and Spanish and experiments with themes beyond celebration.
5. "Navidad Sin Ti" by Los Bukis (Mexico) Los Bukis was one of the most successful latino bands ever. From Mexico and led by the multi-award winner crooner Marco Antonio Solis, "Navidad Sin Ti" (Christmas without you) is one of their many classics and despite being recorded almost 40 years ago, is still as requested dugout the Christmas period as it has ever been.
6. "Sin Rencor" by Gran Coquivacoa (Venezuela) In Colombia gaita is an instrument, but in Venezuela Gaita Zukliana is a music genre from the Zulia state that is traditional during the Christmas period. It is played all over the country from November to January non-stop. Within the gaita repertoire, "Sin Rencor" by gaita outfit Gran Coquivacoa is arguably its most popular song
7. "Natal Branco" Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
We couldn't mention Christmas in Latin America with Robert Carlos, one of Brazil's most successful musical exports to Latin America as a region. Every Latino and Latina loves a bit of Roberto Carlos!
8. "Aires de Navidad" by Hector Lavoe & Willie Colon (Puerto Rico/New York) One for the Salseros...from the seminal salsa album by Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon, Asalto Navideño. This is a Latin Caribbean anthem from an album that still rocks to this day: Lavoe in his prime with Colon's direction, it was one of the best selling albums from NY
9. "El Año Viejo" by Tony Camargo (Colombia/Mexico)
Written by Colombian songwriter Crescencio Salcedo and made hugely popular across the continent by Mexican singer Tony Camargo. It has been described like the sing you must listen to to say goodbye the the old year!
10. "Santa Claus Llego A La Cuidad" by Luis Miguel (Mexico)
The ultimate in aspiration and popularity, as the only Latin American male lead to have sung for Frank Sinatra (on the legendary American crooner's request) Christmas and Luis Miguel were made for each other.
