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The best Christmas songs for your festive playlist
Think Last Christmas, All I want for Christmas is you and more🎄🎁
All of your favourite holiday memories can probably be tied to some of the most popular Christmas songs in one way or another. As you place the Christmas lights and baubles on the Christmas tree you may start humming Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," or maybe you have a tradition of blasting Nat King Cole’s "The Christmas Song" while your family builds gingerbread houses or bakes delicious Christmas cookies.
And who can forget the nostalgia-inducing soundtracks of your favourite Christmas movies (We're looking at you, Mr. Grinch)? Needless to say, a great Christmas playlist is an essential part of all of your festive activities, games and Christmas parties, so allow us to help you pull together your best playlist yet.
While you can always tweak this list to cater to your own personal music taste, we’ve provided a plethora of carols, jingles and tunes that span genres and generations. We've also included more current Christmas songs by Father Christmas himself Michael Buble, as well Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey and many more. In our guide, you’ll find a ton of pop hits, hymns, classic country songs and several R&B, rock and hip-hop seasonal bops too.
Even if you’re looking for upbeat Christmas music that’s kid-friendly, you’ll definitely find something to enjoy right here. So, get to scrolling and don’t forget to have a holly, jolly Christmas!
Our 45 favourite Christmas songs to add to your festive playlist below:
All I Want for Christmas Is You (1994)
Mariah Carey has a whole album filled with Christmas songs, but this upbeat pop song (complete with jingle bells!) is her most enduring. So enduring, in fact, that the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts at the end of 2021, 27 years after it was originally recorded.
White Christmas (1942)
Bing Crosby's classic hit about a picturesque Christmas scene is one of the most popular holiday songs ever — the Guinness World Records even named it the best-selling single of all time.
Last Christmas (1984)
Pop duo Wham!, composed of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, released this song in 1984, but it didn't hit the top of the charts until 2017 (after Michael's death), despite inspiring many cover versions over the years.
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1943)
We couldn't stop at one Crosby tune; this heartfelt holiday song is a moving tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War II.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1944)
Judy Garland originally recorded this soft Christmas song for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which is about four daughters coming of age while getting ready to move to New York. Time for a re-watch?
Jingle Bell Rock (1983)
The best-known version of this holiday classic was recorded by Bobby Helms in 1957, but Hall & Oates released it as a single in the early '80s complete with a can't-miss music video.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (1971)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded this with the Harlem Community Choir as a protest song against the Vietnam War, and it eventually became a classic Christmas hit.
The Christmas Song (1946)
Everyone knows this holiday song, so it barely needs a name — it's the one where Nat King Cole sings, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." It's so popular that it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1958)
Brenda Lee was only 13 years old (!) when she recorded this holiday hit. She probably wouldn't have guessed that people would still be listening to it today.
Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (1963)
Darlene Love's barn-burner of a song may be about heartbreak, but it makes us happy to hear it every year.
Frosty the Snowman (1947)
Gene Autry is the performer behind this song and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." So, it's a voice you've been attached to since you were a little kid.
Jingle Bells (1960)
Ella Fitzgerald's jazzy rendition of this Christmas classic is a holiday staple. A harmonica version of it was actually the first song ever played in outer space, according to the Smithsonian.
Santa Baby (1953)
This cheeky song by Eartha Kitt is about wanting some pretty extravagant Christmas gifts. Even though this is a holiday tune, it's one of her most well-known songs ever.
Blue Christmas (1957)
Elvis Presley's recording of this song is the most well-known version, but rumor has it that he didn't even want to sing it in the first place, according to an interview with late singer Millie Kirkham.
Hard Candy Christmas (1982)
Written as a song for the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dolly made the tune her own for the big screen adaptation that she starred in with Burt Reynolds in the '80s.
Run, Rudolph, Run (1958)
When you need a Christmas song with some rock and roll to it, Chuck Berry is the first one to call. This one will get people to get up and dance!
Sleigh Ride (1958)
This Johnny Mathis pop song is from his first Christmas album ever. In total, he's released six throughout his career.
Somewhere in My Memory (1990)
Composed by John Williams with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse for the original Home Alone film, this song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song (it lost out to Stephen Sondheim's "Sooner or Later" from Dick Tracy).
Winter Wonderland (1966)
Dean Martin's take on this classic holiday hit is upbeat and genuinely fun to listen to. He, too, has an entire Christmas album complete with his take on all your holiday favorites.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)
Fun fact: This holiday pop song by Andy Williams has been featured in back-to-school commercials for Staples.
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