Villancicos

Villancicos is the Spanish word for Christmas carols, and it's also the name given to a style of traditional Spanish folk music performed during the holiday season. The term refers more to the genre itself than to a specific vocal ensemble, though various groups have performed under this name over the decades.

Some of the most familiar songs in this tradition include "Feliz Navidad," "Noche de Paz" (the Spanish version of "Silent Night"), and "Mi Burrito Sabanero." These carols often feature simple arrangements with instruments like guitars and tambourines, and they're sung in homes and churches throughout Spain and Latin America during December.

The existing history mentions a group that supposedly formed in Spain and traveled to the United States in 1958, but these details appear to be fictional or confused with other artists. What's more accurate is that villancicos as a musical form have been part of Spanish Christmas celebrations for centuries, evolving from medieval songs into the familiar carols people know today.