‘Tis the season to be jolly and blast some tunes that sleigh!
Whether you’re wrapping presents, decorating your Christmas tree, sipping on some hot cocoa, or just relaxing by the fireplace, I’ve got the ultimate playlist to make your holidays merry and bright.
Here are 25 Christmas songs that will have you singing, dancing, and spreading that festive cheer!
1. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” by Nat King Cole (1946)
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Nat King Cole’s velvety voice and the cozy vibes of this classic make it a must-have for any Christmas gathering.
2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee (1964)
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Does your holiday playlist even rock without this 1964 gem? I can’t help but remember the Home Alone movie with this dance floor filler! You can practically hear Kevin McCallister setting up booby traps every time this classic kicks in.
3. Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970)
Feliz Navidad, feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad, próspero año
Y felicidad
The bilingual vibes in this one are perfect for embracing the multicultural joy of the season. ¡Vamos a bailar!
4. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid (1984)
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
This star-studded collab is a reminder of the power of music to bring people together for a good cause.
5. “Last Christmas” by Wham! (1986)
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
I know all the Gen Z kids are dancing to the Ariana Grande version on TikTok. But for us Millennials, we grew up singing to George Michael’s voice. This one’s a timeless bop.
6. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey (1994)
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
Is it even Christmas if you’re not belting out Mariah at the top of your lungs? This classic is a mood all by itself.
7. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by NSYNC (1998)
And with the blessings from above
God sends you His love
And everything’s okay
Merry Christmas, happy holidays
Your holiday playlist isn’t complete without a good boy band hit. So cue NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” for instant festive vibes.
8. “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears (2000)
Santa, can you hear me?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
Deck the halls with a dash of Britney magic! This one’s the secret ingredient for an extra sprinkle of festive cheer and dance floor euphoria.
9. “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child (2001)
On the eighth day of Christmas my baby gave to me:
A pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring
On the eighth day of Christmas, my playlist gave to me: the royal treatment it deserved with Destiny’s Child, featuring the Queen Bey herself!
10. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé (2011)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the five and ten, it’s glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow
Bublé’s smooth voice turns any space into a winter wonderland. Play this while decorating, and you’ll feel the magic in the air.
11. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Michael Bublé (2011)
(Christmas) The snow’s coming down
(Christmas) I’m watching it fall
(Christmas) Lots of people around
(Christmas) Baby, please come home
Who am I kidding. There was no way I could pick just one Michael Bublé Christmas special. This one’s the perfect soundtrack for cozy nights and fuzzy socks.
12. “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber (2011)
It’s the most beautiful time of the year
Lights fill the streets, spreading so much cheer
I should be playing in the winter snow
But I’ma be under the mistletoe
Bieber brings the mistletoe magic to the 21st century. This track is perfect for cozying up with your holiday crush.
13. “Fa La La” by Justin Bieber and Boyz II Men (2011)
Baby, I hear melodies when your heart beats
Baby it sings to me like fa la la, fa la la
Now this one I’ve been listening to nonstop, especially when the TikTok dance hits! It’s the ultimate festive fusion of Bieber’s smooth vocals and Boyz II Men’s classic R&B charm, making every fa la la feel like a dance party in a winter wonderland.
14. “Carol of the Bells” by Pentatonix (2012)
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
Honestly, not too many lyrics here, just lots of jaw-dropping acapella goodness. Pentatonix takes this classic to a whole new level. It’s definitely a vocal feast for your ears.
15. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson (2013)
Presents, what a beautiful sight
Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight
You’re all that I need
Underneath the tree
Kelly’s vocals and the upbeat tempo make this a feel-good Christmas hit that’ll have you dancing around the tree.
16. “Someday at Christmas” by Mario (2013)
Someday at Christmas
There’ll be no wars
When we have learned
What Christmas is for
We all know Mario for his R&B hits like “Let Me Love You” and “Just a Friend.” But did you know he’s also the maestro behind this Christmas song? It definitely adds a whole new festive flavour to Mario’s musical repertoire.
17. “One More Sleep” by Leona Lewis (2013)
‘Cause I’ve got five more nights of sleeping on my own
Four more days until you’re coming home
Three more dreams of you and mistletoe
Two more reasons why I love you so
Countdown to the holidays with Leona Lewis’ “One More Sleep.” Because five more nights of sleeping solo just means you’re that much closer to your mistletoe dreams and the magic of togetherness.
18. “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande (2014)
Santa tell me if you’re really there
Don’t make me fall in love again
If he won’t be here next year
Ariana’s sweet vocals and the catchy beat make this a modern Christmas anthem. But let’s be real, all her Christmas songs are perfect for the holidays. Special mentions: Winter Things, True Love, and December.
19. “Winter Wonderland/Here Comes Santa Claus” by Snoop Dogg and Anna Kendrick (2015)
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
If you’re a fan of Pitch Perfect 2, then you know exactly which song I’m talking about. Snoop Dogg and Anna Kendrick turned the classic Winter Wonderland into the coolest holiday jam.
20. “Bring Me Love” by John Legend (2018)
Baby I hope Santa brings you to me
‘Cause it’s all I wished for this Christmas Eve
All we need is love. And John Legend’s “Bring Me Love”‘ (2018)” gets it just right. This Christmas anthem is a reminder that amidst the festive wishes, love is the greatest gift of all.
21. “Like It’s Christmas” by the Jonas Brothers (2019)
I can’t deny what I’m feelin’ inside
Nothin’ fake about the way you bring me to life
You make everyday feel like it’s Christmas
Every day that I’m with you
Maybe it’s their magnetic voices, or maybe I’m still not over their recent concert in Montreal (though that’s another story for another blog post!), but when the Jonas Brothers sing “Like It’s Christmas”, every day feels like a celebration.
22. “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift (2019)
Sweet dreams of holly and ribbon
Mistakes are forgiven
And everything is icy and blue
And you would be there too
Is there anything Taylor Swift can’t do? From conquering country to ruling pop, and now, serenading us with a Christmas special, this tune will transport you to a winter wonderland all icy and blue.
23. “Christmas Without You” by Ava Max (2020)
Wherever you go, you light up the room
I hope that you’ll make it back home soon
‘Cause it won’t feel like Christmas without you
Ava Max’s “Christmas Without You” hits right in the feels, reminding us that Christmas just isn’t the same without that special someone lighting up the room.
24. “Oh, It’s Christmas!” by Jordin Sparks (2020)
Oh, it’s Christmas
Oh, it’s Christmas
Again, oh, it’s Christmas
Hope this feeling never ends
Even if time slipped through your holiday checklist, with no Christmas shopping done and the tree still waiting, Jordin Sparks hits us with that “Oh, it’s Christmas!,” making everything feel right on time.
25. “Santa, Can’t You Hear” by Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande (2021)
‘Cause all I ever wanted
Isn’t on a shelf and
Santa, can’t you hear me?
This one’s the holiday collab we didn’t know we needed. Two powerhouses whose voices mesh so seamlessly. It’s the perfect addition to your holiday playlist, guaranteed to lift your spirits.
26. “A Nonsense Christmas” by Sabrina Carpenter (2023)
I need that Charles Dickens
You be Santa Claus and I’ll be Mrs.
I’ll take you for a ride I’ll be your vixen
I don’t even know I’m talking Christmas
If Santa had a naughty list for Christmas songs, this one would definitely be at the top. Play this if you’re in the mood for a mischievous twist on the holiday spirit.
And there you have it! Now, go ahead and turn up the volume, spread that holiday cheer, and make this season one for the books.
Merry Christmas, y’all!
The Lilac Blog 