The sound of Christmas is unmistakable. It’s the jingle bells and the familiar melodies that instantly put us in a festive mood. From classic carols passed down through generations to modern pop songs about Christmas that dominate the airwaves, the holiday’s musical landscape is incredibly rich. Most of these Christmas songs have been recorded by multiple artists over the years, giving us many popular versions to choose from.
Be sure to check out the Best Christmas Songs Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Classic Christmas Standards
These are the foundational songs of the season, often defined by the smooth vocals of mid-20th-century singers who made these holiday classics famous.
1. “White Christmas” – Bing Crosby
Lyric Sample: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.”
This 1940s classic captures the nostalgia of snowy holiday scenes and longing for home. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time and has inspired countless covers.
Related: Best Songs with Colors in the Title
2. “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” – Nat King Cole
Lyric Sample: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.”
This standard describes the familiar details of the holiday, instantly creating a cozy and welcoming feeling for listeners. Nat King Cole’s version remains the most recognized interpretation.
3. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams
Lyric Sample: “There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow.”
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is a joyful celebration of all the social events and fun traditions that come with the winter holiday season. The song focuses on gathering with loved ones and indulging in seasonal delights.
4. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – Dean Martin
Lyric Sample: “Oh, the fire is slowly dyin’, and, my dear, we’re still goodbyein’.”
Dean Martin’s 1959 recording of this classic ties the joy of staying indoors with love and warmth during a snowy night. The song has become a standard for cozy winter celebrations.
Related: Best Songs About Snow
5. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland
Lyric Sample: “From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.”
Garland introduced this song in the 1944 movie Meet Me in St. Louis, where her character sings it to cheer up her little sister during a difficult move. It’s a song about finding happiness and hope, no matter life’s difficulties.
Related: Best Songs About December
6. “Silver Bells” – Dean Martin
Lyric Sample: “It’s Christmas time in the city.”
“Silver Bells” captures the excitement of Christmas Eve in a bustling urban environment. Martin brings city streets to life in this 1950s classic.
7. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – Michael Bublé
Lyric Sample: “Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree.”
Originally from 1943, this version from Bublé brings the song’s theme of longing and reunion into a modern context. It’s often associated with military families and those separated during the holidays.
8. “Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley
Lyric Sample: “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.”
Elvis’ rock-and-roll-tinged Christmas ballad perfectly captures the sadness of experiencing the holiday alone after a breakup. The song contrasts the joyful surroundings of the season with personal melancholy.
Related: Best Songs with “Blue” in the Title
9. “Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season” – Andy Williams
Lyric Sample: “While the merry bells keep ringing, happy holidays to you.”
This cheerful tune encourages celebrating both Christmas and the surrounding holiday season. It’s easily one of the most famous Christmas songs ever, used in many shows, movies, and commercials.
10. “Winter Wonderland” – Tony Bennett
Lyric Sample: “In the meadow, we can build a snowman, and pretend that he is Parson Brown.”
“Winter Wonderland” describes simple, whimsical fun in a snowy setting, focusing on sleigh rides and imaginative games. Bennett’s version fits perfectly in both casual and formal holiday playlists.
11. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Dean Martin
Lyric Sample: “I really can’t stay… but, baby, it’s cold outside.”
This playful duet with Marilyn Maxwell is a flirtatious exchange between two people at the end of a date. The song has sparked discussion over the years, but it remains a popular Christmas staple.
12. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry
Lyric Sample: “Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee.”
Gene Autry popularized this classic tale of the underdog reindeer who saves Christmas with his luminous nose. The song promotes acceptance and the idea that our differences can become our greatest strengths.
13. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Michael Bublé
Lyric Sample: “But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door.”
This classic holiday song is all about decorations, shopping streets, and the anticipation of Christmas. It’s widely used in stores and holiday films.
14. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Thurl Ravenscroft
Lyric Sample: “You’re as cuddly as a cactus, you’re as charming as an eel.”
This satirical track is a comically vicious takedown of the legendary Grinch’s terrible personality. It captures the Grinch’s disdain for the joyous Christmas season.
15. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” – Burl Ives
Lyric Sample: “Oh, by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year.”
This cheerful, folksy tune encourages everyone to enjoy a joyful and carefree Christmas. It’s an upbeat wish for happiness during the holiday.
16. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters
Lyric Sample: “Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say, on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day.”
This song humorously details the tropical way of wishing someone a Merry Christmas in Hawaii. It’s a unique, sun-drenched alternative to the classic snow-covered image of the holiday.
Uptempo Pop & Modern Party Christmas Songs
These are the energetic, modern Christmas hits that dominate radio and shopping mall speakers, including pop favorites from the 1980s through today.
17. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
Lyric Sample: “Don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree.”
In this 1990s megahit, Mariah Carey says that love is the most important gift of the season. It’s easily the most famous modern Christmas song out there, consistently returning to #1 on the charts every December.
18. “Last Christmas” – Wham!
Lyric Sample: “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away.”
Wham!’s 1980s synth-pop hit contrasts a catchy, upbeat sound with lyrics about a man who offered true love to someone only to have it rejected. George Michael sings about finding someone special to avoid the same heartbreak he suffered the previous Christmas.
Related: “Last Christmas” Song Meaning
19. “Underneath the Tree” – Kelly Clarkson
Lyric Sample: “You’re here where you should be, snow is falling as the carolers sing.”
“Underneath the Tree” is a tribute to having your partner with you during the holidays. Clarkson sings about how being with her partner is the ultimate gift, making all past lonely Christmases a memory.
20. “Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber
Lyric Sample: “It’s the most beautiful time of the year, lights fill the streets, spreading so much cheer.”
Bieber’s 2011 Christmas song pairs youthful romance with a winter setting. He sings about being completely focused on a crush, even when surrounded by the other activities of the Christmas season.
21. “Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande
Lyric Sample: “Santa, tell me if you’re really there, don’t make me fall in love again.”
Grande asks Santa Claus for a little assurance before she falls for someone new during the holidays. She wants to avoid the pain of a short-lived December romance.
22. “Like It’s Christmas” – Jonas Brothers
Lyric Sample: “You make every day feel like it’s Christmas.”
The Jonas Brothers released this track in 2019, comparing the joy of being in love to the consistent excitement of the holiday season. “Like It’s Christmas” is about how a partner can make you feel festive and happy all year.
23. “Christmas Tree Farm” – Taylor Swift
Lyric Sample: “Sweet dreams of holly and ribbon, mistakes are forgiven.”
Swift’s autobiographical Christmas pop song recalls her childhood growing up on a Christmas tree farm. She sings about the comforting, nostalgic feelings tied to her family’s farm and the holiday season.
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24. “Cozy Little Christmas” – Katy Perry
Lyric Sample: “I don’t need anything, take back all the Cartier and the Tiffany’s and the Chanel.”
In “Cozy Little Christmas,” Perry says the best Christmas gift is simply quality time and relaxation with her partner. All she wants is a quiet, comfortable celebration in sunny Santa Barbara.
25. “One More Sleep” – Leona Lewis
Lyric Sample: “I got five more nights of sleeping on my own, four more days until you’re coming home.”
This bright 2013 pop song is about the excited impatience of waiting for a partner to arrive for the holidays. She sings about her anticipation while counting down the days until they can finally be together on Christmas Eve.
26. “Christmas Without You” – Ava Max
Lyric Sample: “Wherever you go, you light up the room, I hope that you’ll make it back home soon.”
In this 2020 holiday hit, Ava Max sings about how the holiday spirit falls flat if a specific person is missing from the celebration. It’s about how the best gifts and the festive mood are pointless unless her partner is there with her.
27. “My Only Wish (This Year)” – Britney Spears
Lyric Sample: “I have been so good this year, and all I want is one thing, tell me my true love is near.”
Spears’ early 2000s pop track is a wish for her boyfriend to appear on Christmas morning. She tells Santa that finding someone to hold her is much more important than any physical gift she could receive.
28. “Shake Up Christmas” – Train
Lyric Sample: “Shake it up, shake up the happiness, wake it up, wake up the happiness.”
“Shake Up Christmas” is all about re-energizing the holiday spirit and spreading good cheer across the globe. It’s a pop-rock track that encourages a festive gathering to make the season feel alive and to share love with everyone.
29. “Santa’s Coming for Us” – Sia
Lyric Sample: “The joy this time it brings to you, Santa’s coming to town.”
Sia’s 2017 holiday song is a joyful celebration of all things Christmas. It’s about the collective cheer and excitement when Santa finally makes his way to your town.
30. “Wonderful Christmastime” – Paul McCartney
Lyric Sample: “The word is out, about the town, to lift a glass, oh, and don’t look down.”
McCartney’s Christmas tune uses a repeating synth motif to create a cheerful and slightly quirky atmosphere. It’s a fun song about getting together with friends during the season.
31. “Step Into Christmas” – Elton John
Lyric Sample: “Step into Christmas, let’s join together, we can watch the snow fall forever and ever.”
Elton John’s 1973 hit is a piano-driven rock track that invites everyone to fully embrace the holiday excitement. He sings about joining in the festivities and to “eat, drink, and be merry.
32. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” – NSYNC
Lyric Sample: “And all the love will show, ’cause everybody knows it’s Christmas time.”
NSYNC’s ’90s Christmas song combines boy band harmonies with seasonal cheer. The song promotes unity and the importance of family and love during the holiday season.
33. “8 Days of Christmas” – Destiny’s Child
Lyric Sample: “On the 8th day of Christmas, my baby gave to me, a pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring.”
Destiny’s Child put a contemporary, materialistic spin on the classic “Twelve Days of Christmas,” focusing on lavish gifts from a romantic partner. This 2001 R&B song highlights the excitement of receiving designer goods and jewelry.
Golden Age Christmas Songs
These groove-filled rock, jazz, and R&B Christmas hits brought a new energy to the holidays from the 1950s through the 1970s.
34. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
Lyric Sample: “Everyone’s dancin’ merrily, in the new old-fashioned way.”
This 1958 rock and roll track became a smash hit, perfectly capturing the youthful excitement of a holiday house party. The song recently made history by returning to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 65 years after its original release.
35. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms
Lyric Sample: “What a bright time, it’s the right time, to rock the night away.”
Helms’ 1957 Christmas song blends the sounds of the traditional “Jingle Bells” with a lively, swinging beat. He encourages everyone to dance and enjoy the holiday in a new way.
36. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – The Jackson 5
Lyric Sample: “You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout I’m telling you why.”
The Jackson 5’s 1970s version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” turned this children’s warning into a funky R&B hit. Their energy makes the familiar instructions about being good feel exciting rather than just cautionary.
37. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love
Lyric Sample: “They’re singing ‘Deck The Halls,’ but it’s not like Christmas at all.”
This classic captures the heartbreak of wanting a partner back for the holiday. Love sings about feeling like the season can only start once that person is home.
38. “Run Rudolph Run” – Chuck Berry
Lyric Sample: “All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar.”
Berry’s famous Christmas track tells the story of Santa relying on Rudolph’s speed to deliver gifts on time. The track also features children asking Santa for modern presents.
39. “Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
Lyric Sample: “She’s candy apple red with a ski for a wheel, and when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel.”
The Beach Boys celebrate Santa’s sleigh as a fun, hot-rod style vehicle in this sunny 1960s track. It brings the group’s signature surf sound to the holiday season.
40. “Please Come Home for Christmas” – The Eagles
Lyric Sample: “Bells will be ringin’ the sad, sad news, oh, what a Christmas to have the blues.”
The Eagles’ 1970s version of “Please Come Home for Christmas” is a sad, soul-infused rock song in which the singer asks his lover to abandon their travels and return by Christmas Eve.
41. “This Christmas” – Donny Hathaway
Lyric Sample: “Fireside is blazing bright, we’re caroling through the night.”
This R&B classic is a warm, celebratory track about being surrounded by the people you cherish most during the season. The song perfectly captures the joyful feeling of holiday togetherness, noting that this Christmas will be a very special one for the singer.
42. “(Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man with the Bag” – Kay Starr
Lyric Sample: “He’ll make this December the one you’ll remember.”
This swinging, brass-heavy jazz tune from 1950 creates an atmosphere of pure excitement for Santa’s arrival. Starr leans into the excitement of the season and the buzz that comes with Christmas finally arriving.
43. “Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes
Lyric Sample: “Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin’, ring-ting-a-tingling too.”
The Ronettes’ 1960s hit is full of exuberance and the iconic “wall of sound” production style. It’s all about the fun of going for a sleigh ride with someone special on a snowy day.
44. “Someday at Christmas” – Stevie Wonder
Lyric Sample: “Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys, playing with bombs like kids play with toys.”
In “Someday at Christmas,” Stevie Wonder hopes for a future where war, poverty, and prejudice no longer exist. He uses the festive season to wish for genuine global peace and equality among all people.
45. “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt
Lyric Sample: “Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring, I don’t mean on the phone.”
Eartha Kitt’s 1953 hit involves a playfully seductive wishlist for luxury items from Santa Claus. The song is a fun, lighthearted take on asking for extravagant gifts, including a yacht and the deed to a platinum mine.
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Traditional & Religious Christmas Hymns/Carols
These selections include traditional carols and hymns that highlight the religious meaning and spiritual themes of the Christmas story.
46. “Mary, Did You Know?” – Pentatonix
Lyric Sample: “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?”
This modern carol asks Mary questions about the destiny of her infant son. The song focuses on the moment of the Nativity while also alluding to Jesus’ future ministry.
47. “O Holy Night” – Celine Dion
Lyric Sample: “Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices.”
This classic Christmas hymn details the atmosphere of Christ’s birth and captures the solemn significance of that night. Celine Dion’s version is considered one of the best modern takes.
48. “Silent Night” – Carpenters
Lyric Sample: “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.”
This essential Christmas carol focuses on the stillness and quiet setting of the first Nativity. Karen Carpenter’s angelic voice was made for songs like this.
49. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” – Whitney Houston
Lyric Sample: “Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say, pray for peace, people, everywhere.”
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” tells the Nativity story through the viewpoints of various figures, including a shepherd and a king. It’s a song that asks everyone around the world to work toward peace.
50. “Carol of the Bells” – John Williams
Williams’ orchestral arrangement of this traditional Ukrainian folk chant gained fame in the film Home Alone. It’s an instrumental piece often associated with winter and the Christmas season.
51. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Nat King Cole
Lyric Sample: “Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.”
This traditional Christmas hymn is a joyful call to worship the newborn King in Bethlehem. Nat King Cole’s distinct, rich voice in the 1962 version is considered one of the best recorded renditions.
Modern Comfort Songs for the Holidays
These are Christmas songs with a contemporary or personal tone that lean into warmth, memory, and the gentler side of the holiday.
52. “Snowman” – Sia
Lyric Sample: “I want you to know that I’m never leaving, ’cause I’m Mrs. Snow, ’til death we’ll be freezing.”
Sia personifies a snowman as a partner and pleads with him not to melt away when summer arrives. This tender pop song has become one of the newest Christmas standards since its release in 2017.
Related: Songs About Snow
53. “Christmas Lights” – Coldplay
Lyric Sample: “Christmas night, another fight, tears we cried, a flood.”
Coldplay’s 2010 track is about feeling sadness during a time that is supposed to be happy. The sparkling Christmas lights serve as a bright backdrop to the narrator’s heartbreak and hope for reconciliation.
54. “Driving Home for Christmas” – Chris Rea
Lyric Sample: “I’m driving home for Christmas, oh, I can’t wait to see those faces.”
This 1980s Christmas song is a story of the long, tiring journey home to family for the holidays. The tune captures the determined excitement and relief of finally arriving at a safe, familiar place after a long drive.
55. “Hard Candy Christmas” – Dolly Parton
Lyric Sample: “I’m barely getting through tomorrow, but still I won’t let sorrow bring me way down.”
One of the most popular country songs about Christmas, “Hard Candy Christmas” is a realistic look at the financial difficulties and loneliness many people face during the holidays. Parton sings about making a plan to bounce back and find happiness despite a difficult holiday season.
56. “Where Are You Christmas?” – Faith Hill
Lyric Sample: “I think that Christmas comes from the inside.”
Written for the movie Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this modern classic questions where the pure, simple Christmas spirit of childhood goes as people get older. It’s a wish to feel the true, innocent joy of the season again.
57. “Christmas Time Is Here” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Lyric Sample: “Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call their favorite time of the year.”
This jazz-pop piece, featured in A Charlie Brown Christmas, describes the feeling of collective happiness and seasonal cheer that children love. The song has become synonymous with the holiday season due to its association with the beloved 1965 television special.
58. “Believe” – Josh Groban
Lyric Sample: “We were dreamers not so long ago, but one by one, we all had to grow up.”
Groban’s ballad, originally featured in the movie The Polar Express, encourages listeners to recapture their childhood faith in the spirit of the season. It reminds adults that magic and inspiration are available to everyone on Christmas.
59. “Cold December Night” – Michael Bublé
Lyric Sample: “So please just fall in love with me, this Christmas, there’s nothing else that I will need.”
“Cold December Night” is a classic-sounding Christmas song about prioritizing romance over material gifts during the holiday season. It’s about asking a partner to forget the presents and simply fall in love on a cold winter night.
Oddball, Collaboration, & Niche Christmas Songs
This section features Christmas songs that take a different approach, whether through unusual styles, unexpected pairings, or themes that go beyond the usual holiday cheer.
60. “Must Be Santa” – Bob Dylan
Lyric Sample: “Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white.”
Dylan turns this traditional children’s tune into a rambunctious, polka-infused novelty Christmas song for his 2009 holiday album. The song is notable for its chaotic energy and the humorous interpolation of U.S. presidents into the reindeer roll call.
61. “Fairytale of New York” – The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl
Lyric Sample: “The boys of the NYPD choir were singing ‘Galway Bay,’ and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day.”
This 1980s song is a dark, sprawling narrative about a bitter argument between two lovers on Christmas Eve in a New York City drunk tank. It alternates between cynical insults and nostalgic memories of a glamorous, bygone romance.
Related: Fairytale of New York Song Meaning
62. “Feliz Navidad” – José Feliciano
Lyric Sample: “Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad.”
This famous bilingual pop carol is one of the most catchy holiday greetings ever recorded. It simply wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
63. “Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses
Lyric Sample: “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, couldn’t miss this one this year.”
This new wave Christmas song is about a busy woman who tries to avoid the holiday rush but keeps missing a chance to meet a crush. The story hilariously concludes with the two finally meeting by chance at an all-night grocery store on Christmas Eve.
64. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” – Wizzard
Lyric Sample: “Well, I wish it could be Christmas every day, when the kids start singing and the band begins to play.”
This classic glam rock song is about wanting the excitement of Christmas to be permanent. It captures the universal childhood wish to keep the festive atmosphere going all year long.
65. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
Lyric Sample: “There’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear.”
This powerful 1984 charity single, recorded by a supergroup of British and Irish artists, was written to raise awareness about famine in Ethiopia. The song challenges listeners to help the less fortunate during the holiday season.
Related: Brit Award for Song of the Year
66. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Lyric Sample: “A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.”
This 1971 protest song functions as both a holiday greeting and a plea for global solidarity. It connects the peaceful message of Christmas with an activist statement that “War is over, if you want it.”
Related: Best Vietnam War Songs
67. “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” – Bing Crosby & David Bowie
Lyric Sample: “Peace on Earth, can it be? Years from now, perhaps we’ll see?”
This unexpected 1980s duet combines the traditional “Little Drummer Boy” with an original counter-melody, hoping for peace on Earth. The pairing of the classic crooner and the rock star is an iconic moment in holiday music history.
68. “Christmas in Hollis” – Run-D.M.C.
Lyric Sample: “It’s Christmas time in Hollis, Queens, Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens.”
Run-D.M.C.’s 1987 track is a classic hip-hop take on the holiday, telling a fun story about finding Santa’s lost wallet. It’s a rock-rap Christmas song that describes the specific family food and traditions in the group’s New York neighborhood.
69. “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
This dramatic arrangement from the ’90s combines “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” with a powerful rock orchestra. You’re not going to find many better modern Christmas instrumentals than this.
70. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – Elmo & Patsy
Lyric Sample: “Grandma got run over by a reindeer, walking home from our house Christmas Eve.”
This novelty country song is a dark comedy that chronicles a bizarre accident involving Santa’s sleigh and an unsuspecting grandmother. It’s about the aftermath of the event and the family’s unusual reaction to the disaster.
Related: Best Songs About Grandmothers
71. “Thank God It’s Christmas” – Queen
Lyric Sample: “Oh, my friends, it’s been a long hard year.”
Queen’s power ballad is about the relief and joy of finally reaching the holiday after a difficult year. Freddie Mercury sings about our collective need for peace and wishes the spirit of Christmas could last every day.
Conclusion
Christmas music covers everything from timeless standards and hymns to modern pop and unconventional picks. Each one brings out a different side of the season, whether you want something joyful, thoughtful, or just fun.
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like our picks for Songs About Winter, Songs About Peace, and Songs About Snow.
