40 Best Christmas Songs You Need to Add to Your Holiday Playlist

If you're like us, you probably start blasting Christmas music as soon as you can—after all, there's no such thing as too soon when it comes to Christmas. After all, who wouldn't want to take advantage of the opportunity to listen to happy holiday hits for an entire month? Whether you're trying to get in the spirit of the holidays on your drive to work, looking for background music while you decorate your Christmas tree and hang your Christmas stockings, or throwing a sugar and wine-fueled holiday party, you need to make sure you have the best Christmas songs playing in the background of all your seasonal activities.
When you're putting together your Christmas playlist, don't forget to include the most popular Christmas songs of all time. This list of the 30 best Christmas songs will help you remember all of your favorites, from old-school hits like "White Christmas" to more modern songs like "All I Want for Christmas Is You," and everything else in-between. Holiday music brings out the very best in people, and some of the world's top artists have lent their voices to the Christmas songs we love to play on repeat. Celebrate the season (and their talent) during the one time a year when it's socially acceptable to listen to these songs. Whether you prefer original versions of the tunes or pop renditions of timeless classics, there's something for everyone on this list. All of those holiday radio stations won't be able to compete with your holly jolly playlist! (And don't forget to check out the best new Christmas albums of 2019).

1 "When My Heart Finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr.

This song is one of the original tracks that appears on Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album of the same name, which went triple platinum.

 

2 "The Christmas Waltz" by Frank Sinatra

This song was written for Frank Sinatra in 1954, where it first appeared as a B-side recording on his cover of "White Christmas."

 

3 "Up on the House Top" by The Jackson 5

This song dates back to 1864 and is said to be the second-oldest secular Christmas carol, according to The Christmas Carol Reader.

 

4 "Silver Bells" by She & Him

Bing Crosby's cover of this song made it a popular Christmas staple, and She & Him's cover gives it a contemporary twist.

 

5 "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by The Chipmunks

The creator of this song, Ross Bagdasarian Sr., won three Grammy awards for this track in 1958.

 

6 "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews

Although not originally intended to be a Christmas song, this tune has gone on to be featured on several holiday albums, including tracks by Kelly Clarkson and Rod Stewart.

 

7 "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson

Featured on her Christmas album Wrapped in Red, this single quickly became a top holiday hit.

 

8 "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *NSYNC

This was the only single from *NSYNC's Christmas album, Home for Christmas, which was the band's second album ever.

 

9 "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande's Christmas original has become a modern favorite, which was first released on the Japanese reissue of her Christmas EP Christmas Kisses.

 

 

 

10 "My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears

Britney Spears released this original Christmas song for the 2000 compilation album Platinum Christmas, which also featured Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston.

 

11 "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway

Although it didn't receive great success when it was first released, "This Christmas" has gone on to become the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.

 

 

 

12 "Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry's blues-inspired rock song proves that rock and roll and Christmas really do go hand in hand.

 

 

 

13 "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney has said that the catchy, upbeat holiday jingle only took him 10 minutes to write. Who other than the former Beatle can sit down and pen a hit song in just a few minutes?

 

 

 

14 "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole

The nostalgic melody of Nat King Cole's Christmas tune is bound to make you want nothing more than a crackling fire on a frosty Christmas day.

 

15 "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love

Darlene Love performed this song live every year (except one, due to a writer's strike) from 1986 to 2014 on Late Night with David Letterman.

 

16 "Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)" by Gene Autry

Few other songs get kids as excited to see old St. Nick than Gene Autry's cheery tune, inspired by his
experience as Grand Marshal in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

 

 

 

17 "Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love

Of all the versions of this song, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Radiohead, we think Darlene Love comes out on top.

 

 

 

18 "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms

Although this song released in 1957, it hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 charts in January 2019 at number eight. The song broke the record for the longest wait time to get into the top 10 at over 60 years since its release.

 

 

 

19 "Feliz Navidad" by José Feliciano

Everyone knows how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish thanks to this classic penned by Puerto Rican musician and composer José Feliciano.

 

 

 

20 "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley

The King made this song famous with his rock and roll take on it, reminding us that's it's okay to have a blue Christmas too.

 

 

 

21 "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby

We dream of a white Christmas every year thanks to this classic hit. It was even named the best-selling single of all time by Guinness World Records!

 

 

 

22 "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Bing Crosby

Another tune by Bing Crosby worthy of playing on repeat proves he's the unofficial king of Christmas.

 

 

 

23 "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Michael Bublé

...But the Michael Bublé version is just as good. (Okay, fine—it's better. Sorry, Bing!)

 

 

 

24 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland

Judy Garland recorded this for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which should be required viewing around the holidays.

 

 

 

25 "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Frank Sinatra

Sing along to this jazzy holiday hit and remind yourself that snow is beautiful, even when your car gets stuck in it.

 

 

 

26 "Frosty the Snowman" by Gene Autry

Listening to this kid-friendly classic will immediately transport you back to your childhood.

 

 

 

27 "Jingle Bells" by Dean Martin

There are countless versions of "Jingle Bells," but Dean Martin's rendition is a holiday staple.

 

 

 

28 "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee

It's hard to believe Brenda Lee was just a teenager when she recorded this song—and it's still a fan-favorite today.

 

 

 

29 "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

John Lennon and Yoko Ono originally recorded this somewhat controversial tune with the Harlem Community Choir to protest the Vietnam War. Somewhere along the way, it became a beloved Christmas song.

 

30 "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt

This holiday tune is one of Eartha Kitt's most well-known songs of all time. We recommend playing it for your husband right before Christmastime if you "want a yacht." 😉

 

 

 

31 "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson

This famous instrumental tune by Leroy Anderson is the perfect background music for any holiday party.

 

 

 

32 "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams

This is the most wonderful Christmas song of all! If it reminds you of back-to-school shopping, that's because the famous pop song is often featured in commercials for Staples.

 

 

 

33 "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

This jolly song by Burl Ives is the leading track on his Christmas album for a reason. It's impossible to listen to it and not be in a good mood!

 

 

 

34 "Merry Christmas, Baby"

Otis Redding's jazzy R&B version of Johnny Moore's Three Blazers song will have all of your holiday party guests moving and grooving to the beat.

 

 

 

35 "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Harry Connick Jr.

There are so many versions of this Christmas classic, but we think Harry Connick Jr. does it best.

 

 

 

36 "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" by Bruce Springsteen

They call Bruce Springsteen "The Boss" for a reason—and this version "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" makes it easy to understand why.

 

 

 

37 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jackson 5

Jimmy Boyd's original version of this song is great, but Jackson 5's catchy cover will have everyone singing along to the funky beats.

 

 

 

38 "Last Christmas" by Wham!

This pop tune is the kind of Christmas song you can sing in the shower (or is that just me?). Released in 1984, it didn't top the charts until 2017.

 

 

 

39 "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

This track—which is the best-selling modern-day Christmas song of all time—has earned Mariah Carey the title "Queen of Christmas."

 

 

 

40 "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé has done it again. Listening to this Christmas hit is the best way to start out the season.

Have a wonderful Christmas season.