A graduation party puts three generations in one place: the grad and their friends, the parents, and the grandparents who want their own songs too. Here is how I build the playlist, using the real lists families sent me for their Latino-influenced graduation parties this year.
Songs for the Parents and Grandparents
One mom asked for a 70s theme, plus a few songs that said exactly what she felt: My Wish by Rascal Flatts, Daughters by John Mayer and Count on Me by Bruno Mars. Her throwbacks filled the floor with the older crowd:
- Celebration by Kool & The Gang
- I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross
- We Are Family by Sister Sledge
- Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
- My Girl by The Temptations
- Dancing Queen by ABBA
- Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede
- Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees
Latin Classics for Dinner
- Ahora Te Puedes Marchar by Luis Miguel
- Lo Que Más Quiero by Joan Sebastian
- Ella Baila Sola by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma
- Dime Cómo Quieres by Christian Nodal and Ángela Aguilar
- QUE VUELVAS by Carin León and Grupo Frontera
- Oye Mujer by Raymix
- La Chona by Los Tucanes de Tijuana
Cumbia, Salsa and Reggaeton for the Dance Floor
- La Vida Es un Carnaval by Celia Cruz
- Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony
- Suavemente by Elvis Crespo
- La Bomba by Azul Azul
- Gasolina by Daddy Yankee
- Danza Kuduro by Don Omar and Lucenzo
- Mi Gente by J Balvin
- Tití Me Preguntó by Bad Bunny
- La Vaca by Mala Fe
- Macarena by Los del Río
For the Grad and Their Friends
Party anthems, line dances and a little EDM once the grad’s friends take over, always in clean edits:
- Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
- I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
- Give Me Everything by Pitbull
- We Found Love by Rihanna
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
- Yeah! by Usher
- 10:35 by Tiësto and Tate McRae
- Closer by The Chainsmokers
A Soccer Player’s Graduation Party
Another graduate this year played soccer, so we built a World Cup set: Waka Waka and La La La by Shakira, La Copa de la Vida by Ricky Martin, Hayya Hayya, Ole Ole Ola, and Freed From Desire by Gala for the stadium chant. His family also asked for Hawaiian music and Slovenian polka, because a graduation party should sound like the whole family.
How I Plan a Graduation Party Playlist
- Open with dinner songs the grandparents know, so they feel at home from the start.
- Bring in cumbia and a line dance early. It is the fastest way to get every age on the floor together.
- Save the EDM and the newest hits for later, when the grad’s friends take over.
- Ask each generation for five must-play songs. That one step makes the night feel personal.
Graduation Party Song Questions
How many songs do I need for a graduation party?
Plan about 15 songs per hour. A four-hour party needs around 60, plus room for requests.
What music should play at a Latino graduation party?
Mix the generations: Latin classics and cumbia for dinner, salsa and reggaeton for dancing, and current hits for the grad and their friends.
