Every December, my world starts to feel a little softer, a little brighter, and it always begins with one thing: my Christmas playlist. Over the years, I have crafted the perfect holiday playlist from the classics to more modern loves. So let me spread a little Christmas cheer by putting you on to these holiday bangers.
- All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)
If your Christmas playlist doesn’t start with the lady, the myth, the legend herself, then it is not a true Christmas playlist. Not only is there a huge nostalgia factor to this song, but it just makes you want to get up and dance. I would be lying if I said I don’t wait until 12 AM, Nov 1st, to see her official “ defrosting “ video. Go on, you know you want to give it a listen.
- Michael Bublé Christmas – Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé – Christmas (Full Album) ☃️🎄 Best Christmas Songs 💝
One of the classic Christmas albums for Gen Z is definitely Michael Bublé’s Christmas. I have vivid memories of being in the car with my parents and the Christmas station being on, where this album was put to WORK. Also, Michael Bublé is one of those musicians who has a voice built for a Christmas album. Some highlights from this album that I included on my playlist are: “ It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas “, “ Holly Jolly Christmas “, and “ Christmas ( Baby Please Come Home “
- Last Christmas – WHAM!
Wham! – Last Christmas (Official Video)
When I hear the word “ classic, “ this is always the first thing to come to my mind. This is just one of those songs that when you hear it, you’re belting it, dramatically and full of heartbreak. The mix of holiday lyrics and just the right amount of being petty makes it truly unforgettable. No holiday playlist is complete without it.
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor
Brett Eldredge – Baby It’s Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor)
I’m not sure why “ Baby, It’s Cold Outside “ scratches my brain the right way, but it always has. Growing up, my favorite Christmas movie was “ Elf “ ( and it remains one of my favorites ), and the scene where Buddy and Jody sing it together for some reason engraved the song into my head for life. I know the ladies part, it’s time I find someone who knows the male part as well, for the ultimate karaoke partner.
- Under the Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber – Under The Mistletoe (Full Album)
HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF ALL TIME. When I say that this album is skip-free, I truly mean it with my whole heart. My mom and I used to have the CD of this album, and we would listen to it all the time during the holiday season, especially the song “ Drummer Boy “. Maybe I love this album so much because of those childhood memories, but I will defend this album till the day that I die. ( Once you do your first listen, you will realize it is a hill worth dying on )
- A Nonsense Christmas – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter – A Nonsense Christmas (Lyric Video)
Carpenter revamped her song “ Nonsense” from her album “ emails i can’t send “ to have a Christmas spin on it. Not only is it genius, but it is lowkey catchy. I always realize that the version of this song stuck in my head is ALWAYS the Christmas version, even in the middle of July! The rest of the Carpenters’ Christmas EP “fruitcake” is also very good, including original songs like “ cindy lou who “ and “ santa doesn’t know you like i do “ but “ A Nonsense Christmas “ definitely takes the fruitcake. See what I did– nvm.
- Christmas Saves The Year – Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots – Christmas Saves The Year (Official Video)
This is me being vulnerable, okay. I am a die-hard Twenty One Pilots fan. I have been a fan for 10 years now. This song is on my playlist not only because of my unhealthy obsession with them, but because I love the message that it has. As the name suggests, Joseph talks about how even though the world feels like it’s crumbling down, the reunion of family, friends, and the joy of holidays saves the year. The holidays, no matter what you celebrate, give us hope, peace, and time with our loved ones. It’s the perfect representation of as you get older, you stop caring about the presents under the tree, the real present is being able to surround yourself with those you love.
- Beautiful Christmas & All I Want for Christmas – Big Time Rush
Big Time Rush | All I want for Christmas | Concours NICKELODEON TEEN Noël | Nickelodeon France
I don’t care. Argue with the wall. Big Time Rush has a well-earned spot on my Christmas playlist. Similar to Justin Bieber being on the playlist, I was obsessed with these guys as a kid (more specifically, Logan ). I was always planted in front of the TV for new episodes, and I have seen them live three times; one of the times being in 2025. So you can imagine 5-year-old me shocked when my favorite band made an album for my favorite holiday. Yes, it’s a little cringey, and they sound super young in the songs, but the nostalgia factor is unmatched.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Kathryn Jones
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Intro [HD]
You know, earlier, how I said “ Elf “ used to be my favorite movie? Well, it’s been dethroned by this one. If you have never seen “ National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “ you are truly missing out. It’s a bit older, with a release in 1989, but its humor still applies today. If you’ve ever heard an audio on TikTok of a man crashing out, calling someone a bunch of insults, and ending with “ HALLEJUAH! Where’s the Tylenol? “ then you have heard of this Christmas classic. Growing up, this movie was always played while we put up the tree, and while I always argued back wanting to watch “ Elf,” we watched this one anyway. It’s funny how little me would argue about watching this movie to an adult me, absolutely loving it. Anyway, this song is literally just the intro song. That’s why it’s on the playlist.
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas ( If Only In My Dreams ) – Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra – I’ll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams) (Visualizer)
I’m a Jersey girl at heart, and if you’re from Jersey, you know of the New Jersey legend, Frank Sinatra. His voice is just so classic, and growing up, my family always listened to Mr. Sinatra, so for me, he is my childhood. I also personally love this song because being away at college for a good chunk of the holiday season sucks, but I can always say, “ I’ll be home for Christmas. “ This song also encapsulates the idea that I explained earlier, that the true present of the holiday season is being surrounded by those you love.
Please keep in mind that this article does not reflect the whole playlist (it’s about 3 hours.. Oops), and these are just some of my must-have listens. For a perfectly curated holiday playlist filled with all the cheer you need for the season, you can find it here! Happy holidays!