The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without the sound of sleigh bells, choirs, and cozy classics filling the air. From timeless carols to pop hits that get everyone singing along, Christmas songs are the heartbeat of the season — it sets the mood, stirs up nostalgia, and makes even wrapping presents feel magical.
Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner, decorating your tree, or driving through twinkling light displays, the right playlist can make every moment feel cinematic. So, we’ve put together the ultimate Christmas playlist — 100 songs that capture every mood of the season, from the soulful to the sparkling.
Let’s hit play on the holidays!
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Classic Christmas Songs
These are the hits that have defined generations of Christmas celebrations. No matter how many times you’ve heard them, they never fail to bring that warm, familiar joy.
1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) – Nat King Cole
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
4. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
5. Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
8. Frosty the Snowman – Jimmy Durante
9. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
10. Silver Bells – Bing Crosby & Carol Richards
Have a vinyl fan in your life? Here’s a must-have collection, featuring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole.
Modern Holiday Favorites
These hits bring a fresh sparkle to your playlist — festive, fun, and perfect for parties or tree-decorating nights.
11. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
12. Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson
13. Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande
14. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
15. Like It’s Christmas – Jonas Brothers
16. Christmas Time – Backstreet Boys
17. This Gift – 98 Degrees
18. My Only Wish – Britney Spears
19. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays – ‘NSYNC
20. Everyday Is Christmas – Sia
Holiday Duets That Melt Hearts
Nothing says “togetherness” like a perfect Christmas duet. These songs pair powerhouse vocals and festive harmony for instant magic.
21. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Michael Bublé & Idina Menzel
22. Glittery – Kacey Musgraves feat. Troye Sivan
23. Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby & David Bowie
24. You Make It Feel Like Christmas – Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton
25. Oh Santa! – Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson
26. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
27. You Make It Feel Like Christmas – Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani
28. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Christina Aguilera & Brian McKnight
29. The First Noel – Josh Groban & Faith Hill
30. Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Pentatonix & Tori Kelly
Cozy & Acoustic Christmas Vibes
Perfect for nights spent by the fire, wrapping gifts, or sipping cocoa while the snow falls outside.
31. River – Joni Mitchell
32. Hallelujah (Christmas Version) – Pentatonix
33. Snowman – Sia
34. The Christmas Waltz – She & Him
35. That’s Christmas to Me – Pentatonix
36. Winter Song – Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
37. God Rest ‘Ye Merry Gentlemen – The Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
38. Home for Christmas – Dan + Shay
39. Christmas Time Is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio
40. Silent Night – John Legend
Party-Ready Holiday Anthems
Turn up the volume — these songs bring the energy for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, or festive game nights!
41. Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
42. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
43. Step Into Christmas – Elton John
44. Sleigh Ride – The Ronettes
45. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
46. Last Christmas – Wham!
47. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
48. What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder
49. Marshmallow World – Darlene Love
50. 8 Days of Christmas – Destiny’s Child
New Generation Holiday Pop & Indie Gems
The newer voices of Christmas music — modern, cozy, and full of charm.
51. December Back 2 June – Alicia Keys
52. Snow on the Beach – Taylor Swift feat. Lana Del Rey
53. Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You) – Kelly Clarkson
54. Christmas Tree Farm – Taylor Swift
55. Christmas Lights – Coldplay
56. Winter Things – Ariana Grande
57. Shake Up Christmas – Train
58. Snowman (Slowed Version) – Sia
59. Glitter Christmas – Carly Rae Jepsen
60. December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas) – George Michael
Faith & Spiritual Christmas Classics
A playlist wouldn’t be complete without the timeless songs that remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.
61. O Holy Night – Celine Dion
62. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Whitney Houston
63. Joy to the World – Mariah Carey
64. The First Noel – Josh Groban
65. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Carrie Underwood
66. O Come, All Ye Faithful – Andrea Bocelli
67. Silent Night – Kelly Clarkson
68. Away in a Manger – Pentatonix
69. Mary’s Boy Child – Boney M.
70. Angels We Have Heard on High – Josh Groban
Heartwarming Holiday Movie Soundtracks
Bring a bit of movie magic home with these unforgettable songs from your favorite Christmas films.
71. Somewhere in My Memory – John Williams (Home Alone)
72. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft (The Grinch)
73. Believe – Josh Groban (The Polar Express)
74. Where Are You Christmas – Faith Hill (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
75. Christmas Is All Around – Billy Mack (Love Actually)
76. When Christmas Comes to Town – Matthew Hall & Meagan Moore (The Polar Express)
77. Christmas Vacation – Mavis Staples (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
78. Spirit of the Season – Alan Silvestri (The Polar Express)
79. Welcome Christmas – The Whos (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
80. Making Christmas – The Citizens of Halloween (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Peaceful Instrumental Christmas Tunes
For quiet mornings or elegant dinners, instrumental tracks create that calm, cozy ambiance.
81. Carol of the Bells – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
82. O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Lindsey Stirling
83. The Nutcracker Suite – Tchaikovsky
84. Silent Night (Instrumental) – Mannheim Steamroller
85. Greensleeves – The London Symphony Orchestra
86. Ave Maria – Andrea Bocelli
87. Auld Lang Syne – Kenny G
88. Canon in D (Christmas Version) – Johann Pachelbel
89. The Christmas Waltz (Instrumental) – Frank Chacksfield Orchestra
90. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Global Christmas Favorites
Celebrate Christmas around the world with these festive international classics.
91. Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano
92. Petit Papa Noël – Tino Rossi
93. O Tannenbaum – Vienna Boys Choir
94. Mi Burrito Sabanero – Juanes
95. Noël Blanc – Charles Aznavour
96. We Wish You the Merriest – Les Brown & His Band of Renown
97. Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You) – Lou Monte
98. Stille Nacht – Andrea Bocelli
99. Navidad Nuestra – Mercedes Sosa
100. Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby
Which of these Christmas songs are on your playlist for this holiday season?
Will we get any new ones to add to next year’s list? Let’s hope so, because music is and will always be an essential part of creating magical memories during this time of year. After all, music is the soundtrack to our lives.
