Twelve days after Christmas comes Dia de los Reyes — or Three Kings Day (also known as Epiphany) — during which many Latino communities around the world gather with family to celebrate the arrival of the three kings, or magi (wise men).
Los Tres Reyes is believed to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Bethlehem to honor the baby Jesus. Some families in Mexico and South America eat Rosca — candied bread fit for a king. Other families in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations build on the parranda, an Afro-Indigenous tradition that calls for the house-to-house caroling of friends and families.
In honor of Three Kings Day 2024 on Saturday (Jan. 6), Billboard has compiled a playlist of some traditional classics you and yours can use to set the festive mood.
The playlist includes the timeless holiday track “Cantares de Navidad” by the Puerto Rican group Trio Vegabajeño, which was originally composed in the early 1950s and forms part of Bad Bunny’s album El Último Tour del Mundo. There’s also the heartfelt bolero “Regalo de Reyes” by the late Mexican singer and actor Javier Solís; Luis Miguel’s rendition of “Noche de Paz,” part of his Navidades Luis Miguel album; “Caspar, Melchor, y Baltasar” by Mexican trio Pandora; and Thalía’s gitty “Los Reyes Magos,” part of her children’s album Viva Kids – Volumen 2, to name a few.
Many Villancicos (similar to a Christmas carol) are also on the playlist, such as “Vamos, Vamos Pastorcito” and the all-time favorite “Mi Burrito Sabanero.” The latter has both a merengue version by Elvis Crespo and a catchy banda tune by Banda El Recodo.
Listen to the full playlist below and enjoy!