Feliz Navidad — Lyrics, History & Fun Facts
Feliz Navidad is a joyful and infectious bilingual Christmas song that seamlessly blends Spanish and English lyrics to wish listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Written and performed by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano, the song's simplicity, warmth, and cultural inclusivity have made it one of the most played and downloaded holiday songs in the world. Its Latin-influenced rhythm and universal message of holiday goodwill transcend language barriers and cultural boundaries.
Last updated: February 2026
Feliz Navidad
by Jose Feliciano (1970)
Holiday Pop/LatinFeliz Navidad is a joyful and infectious bilingual Christmas song that seamlessly blends Spanish and English lyrics to wish listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Written and performed by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano, the song's simplicity, warmth, and cultural inclusivity have made it one of the most played and downloaded holiday songs in the world. Its Latin-influenced rhythm and universal message of holiday goodwill transcend language barriers and cultural boundaries.
The History of "Feliz Navidad"
Feliz Navidad was written by Jose Feliciano in 1970 as a way to bridge cultural divides and bring people of different backgrounds together during the holiday season. Feliciano, who was born blind in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, wanted to create a simple song that anyone could sing regardless of their native language. The song's clever structure — alternating between Spanish and English verses — made it accessible to audiences worldwide and helped popularize bilingual pop music. It has become one of the most downloaded and streamed holiday songs in the digital era, consistently ranking among the top Christmas songs on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Fun Facts About "Feliz Navidad"
- The entire song uses only 21 unique words, making it one of the simplest hit songs ever written
- Jose Feliciano was born blind and learned to play guitar by ear as a child
- It is consistently one of the top five most downloaded and streamed holiday songs each year
- The song has been covered in dozens of languages beyond Spanish and English
- ASCAP has ranked it among the top 25 most performed holiday songs of all time
Movies & TV Appearances
"Feliz Navidad" has been featured in the following movies and television specials:
- Elf
- Happy Feet
- Four Christmases
- Office Christmas Party
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Listen to "Feliz Navidad"
You can listen to "Feliz Navidad" on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Search for the original version by Jose Feliciano or explore the many popular covers recorded over the years.
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