Everything from traditional tunes to pop culture hits, all in one place.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And with all the festive activities at hand — decorating your tree with lights, making holiday cookies and spending time with those you love most — you need the best Christmas songs of all time playing in the background to really set the mood.
Curating the perfect Christmas playlist is one of those special traditions that is right up there with baking cookies for Santa. But if you happen to need a little help this year refreshing your list, we've got you. In addition to those famous jingles and carols (like the 12 Days of Christmas), there are country spins on classics and pop-culture hits that will bring a dose of fun to any gathering.
Here, you’ll find tracks from the queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, upbeat songs for kids, as well as religious hymns to help you remember the real reason for the season. So, get to scrolling and don’t forget to have yourself a merry little Christmas.
1
All I Want for Christmas Is You (1994)
View full post on Youtube
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.
2
White Christmas (1942)
View full post on Youtube
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.
TRENDING NOW: The Best Christmas Movies of All Time
3
Last Christmas (1984)
View full post on Youtube
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1943)
View full post on Youtube
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.
5
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1944)
View full post on Youtube
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?
6
Jingle Bell Rock (1983)
View full post on Youtube
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (1971)
View full post on Youtube
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.
8
The Christmas Song (1946)
View full post on Youtube
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.
9
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1958)
View full post on Youtube
Brenda Lee was only 13 years old (!) when she recorded this holiday favorite. She'd probably wouldn't have guessed that people would still be listening to it today.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Christmas Vacation (1989)
View full post on Youtube
The only Vacation movie to not feature Lindsey Buckingham's "Holiday Road," National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation opens with Mavis Staples singing this upbeat tune instead.
11
Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (1963)
View full post on Youtube
Darlene Love's barn-burner of a song may be about heartbreak, but it makes us happy to hear it every year.
12
Frosty the Snowman (1947)
View full post on Youtube
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.
TRENDING NOW: Catchy Country Christmas Songs You Should Start Listening to Now
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Mele Kelikimaka (Merry Christmas) (1950)
View full post on Youtube
Bing is back, this time with the Andrews Sisters for a fun and bouncy song that tells listeners that "Mele Kelikimaka" is Hawaii's way to say "Merry Christmas to you."
14
Jingle Bells (1960)
View full post on Youtube
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.
15
Santa Baby (1953)
View full post on Youtube
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.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Blue Christmas (1957)
View full post on Youtube
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.
17
Hard Candy Christmas (1982)
View full post on Youtube
Written as a song for the musical The Best Little whor*house in Texas, Dolly made the tune her own for the big screen adaptation that she starred in with Burt Reynolds in the '80s.
TRENDING NOW: Best Dolly Parton Christmas Songs to Add to Your Playlist
18
Run, Rudolph, Run (1958)
View full post on Youtube
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!
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Sleigh Ride (1958)
View full post on Youtube
This Johnny Mathis pop song is from his first Christmas album ever — in total, he's released six throughout his career.
20
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (1958)
View full post on Youtube
This novelty Christmas song came out back in the '50s, but we're sure everyone still knows what Alvin wants to find under the tree. It's a certified kid-pleaser.