How do you say Merry Christmas in Spanish?

Feliz Navidad. The song 'Feliz Navidad' by José Feliciano made this phrase famous worldwide. Often combined with próspero Año Nuevo (Prosperous New Year): ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!

How do you say Happy New Year in Spanish?

Feliz Año Nuevo or Próspero Año Nuevo. Próspero (prosperous) is the traditional adjective. Often combined with Feliz Navidad: Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.

What's the difference between Felices Fiestas and Feliz Navidad?

Feliz Navidad = Merry Christmas (specifically Christmas). Felices Fiestas = Happy Holidays (covering the whole season, more inclusive of non-Christmas holidays). Both are commonly used.

Nochebuena (literally 'good night') is Christmas Eve (Dec 24). It's the main celebration in Spanish-speaking countries, with families gathering for dinner and gifts. Nochevieja is New Year's Eve (Dec 31).

What is Día de los Reyes?

Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day, Jan 6) is when kids traditionally receive gifts in Spain and some LatAm countries (commemorating the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to baby Jesus). Says: Feliz Día de Reyes.

Spanish grammar · Beginner

How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish: Feliz Navidad and Holiday Wishes

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Feliz Navidad = Merry Christmas in Spanish. Other holiday wishes: Felices Fiestas (Happy Holidays), Feliz Año Nuevo (Happy New Year), Próspero Año Nuevo (Prosperous New Year), Felices Pascuas (Happy Easter or Christmas in some regions).

¡Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas!

What it is

Feliz Navidad = Merry Christmas. Felices Fiestas = Happy Holidays. Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year. Próspero Año Nuevo = Prosperous New Year. Felices Pascuas = Happy Easter (or Christmas in some regions like Argentina).

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo! (Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!)

How to spot it

Christmas: Feliz Navidad. Holidays / season: Felices Fiestas. New Year: Feliz Año Nuevo, Próspero Año Nuevo. Easter (or Christmas in Argentina): Felices Pascuas. Three Kings: Día de los Reyes Magos.

¡Feliz Navidad! — Merry Christmas!
¡Felices Fiestas! — Happy Holidays!
¡Próspero Año Nuevo! — Prosperous New Year!

The song 'Feliz Navidad' by José Feliciano is one of the most famous bilingual Christmas songs ever.

How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish Quick Reference

Christmas / holiday wishes in Spanish

Expression	Meaning	When
Feliz Navidad	Merry Christmas	Christmas Eve / Day
Felices Fiestas	Happy Holidays	Holiday season generally
Feliz Año Nuevo	Happy New Year	Dec 31 / Jan 1
Próspero Año Nuevo	Prosperous New Year	Often paired with Feliz Navidad
Felices Pascuas	Happy Easter (Christmas in Argentina)	Easter / Christmas (region)
Feliz Nochebuena	Happy Christmas Eve	Dec 24
Feliz Día de Reyes	Happy Three Kings Day	Jan 6
Que pases una buena Navidad	Have a good Christmas	Wishing well

Common How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish Examples in Spanish

Spanish Christmas and New Year wishes:

Core Christmas Wishes

¡Feliz Navidad!: Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.: Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Felices Fiestas a toda la familia.: Happy Holidays to the whole family.
Feliz Nochebuena.: Happy Christmas Eve.
Que tengas una linda Navidad.: Have a beautiful Christmas.

Feliz Navidad is universal. Felices Fiestas covers the whole season (more inclusive of non-Christmas holidays).

New Year Wishes

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!: Happy New Year!
¡Próspero Año Nuevo!: Prosperous New Year!
Feliz Año.: Happy New Year. (short form)
Que el nuevo año te traiga muchas alegrías.: May the new year bring you many joys.
Brindo por un gran año.: I toast to a great year.

Combine: ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo! Próspero (prosperous) is the traditional adjective for New Year wishes.

Other Holidays

Felices Pascuas.: Happy Easter (or Christmas in Argentina, Uruguay).
Feliz Día de Reyes. (Jan 6): Happy Three Kings Day.
Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias.: Happy Thanksgiving.
Feliz Halloween.: Happy Halloween.
Feliz Día de los Muertos.: Happy Day of the Dead.

Felices Pascuas means Easter in Spain / most of LatAm. In Argentina and Uruguay it also refers to Christmas. Día de Reyes (Jan 6) is when kids traditionally get gifts in Spain.

Christmas Greetings in Conversation

Te deseo una feliz Navidad.: I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Mis mejores deseos para esta Navidad.: My best wishes for this Christmas.
Que disfrutes las fiestas.: Enjoy the holidays.
Que la Navidad te traiga mucho amor.: May Christmas bring you much love.
Saludos navideños.: Christmas greetings.

For Christmas cards or messages, expand beyond just feliz Navidad. Use que + subjunctive to wish things for the recipient.

Christmas Wishes in Spanish

Navidad Is Singular

Navidad (capital N when referring to the holiday) is singular. Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas) is singular. Felices Fiestas (Happy Holidays) is plural because it refers to multiple holidays.

Feliz Navidad. Felices Fiestas.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays.

Navidad = singular.

Próspero Año Nuevo Is Traditional

Próspero (prosperous) is the traditional adjective for New Year wishes. Próspero Año Nuevo = Prosperous New Year. Commonly paired: Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.

Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Próspero = traditional NY adjective.

Felices Pascuas Has Regional Meaning

Felices Pascuas means Happy Easter in Spain and most of LatAm. In Argentina and Uruguay, it can also refer to Christmas. Context clarifies.

Felices Pascuas. (Easter / Christmas regional)

Happy Easter / Happy Christmas.

Pascuas = Easter (or Christmas in Arg / Uru).

Nochebuena = Christmas Eve

Nochebuena (good night) is Christmas Eve (Dec 24), the main celebration in Spanish-speaking countries (more than Christmas Day itself). Nochevieja = New Year's Eve (Dec 31).

Feliz Nochebuena. Feliz Nochevieja.

Happy Christmas Eve. Happy New Year's Eve.

Nochebuena = Dec 24. Nochevieja = Dec 31.

Common Mistakes with How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish

Incorrect: Feliz Cristmas. — Merry Christmas.

Correct: Feliz Navidad. — Merry Christmas.

Christmas is not a Spanish word. Use Navidad (the Spanish word for Christmas). Feliz Cristmas is a Spanglish error.

Incorrect: Felices Navidades. (uncommon) — Merry Christmas.

Correct: Feliz Navidad. / Felices Fiestas. — Merry Christmas. / Happy Holidays.

Felices Navidades is heard but uncommon. Standard is Feliz Navidad (singular). Use Felices Fiestas for plural wishes covering the season.

How to Say Merry Christmas in Spanish FAQs

How do you say Merry Christmas in Spanish?: Feliz Navidad. The song 'Feliz Navidad' by José Feliciano made this phrase famous worldwide. Often combined with próspero Año Nuevo (Prosperous New Year): ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!
How do you say Happy New Year in Spanish?: Feliz Año Nuevo or Próspero Año Nuevo. Próspero (prosperous) is the traditional adjective. Often combined with Feliz Navidad: Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.
What's the difference between Felices Fiestas and Feliz Navidad?: Feliz Navidad = Merry Christmas (specifically Christmas). Felices Fiestas = Happy Holidays (covering the whole season, more inclusive of non-Christmas holidays). Both are commonly used.
What is Nochebuena?: Nochebuena (literally 'good night') is Christmas Eve (Dec 24). It's the main celebration in Spanish-speaking countries, with families gathering for dinner and gifts. Nochevieja is New Year's Eve (Dec 31).
What is Día de los Reyes?: Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day, Jan 6) is when kids traditionally receive gifts in Spain and some LatAm countries (commemorating the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to baby Jesus). Says: Feliz Día de Reyes.