There’s a time and a place for “Jingle Bell Rock” and “White Christmas” — most likely a busy store while you're doing some last-minute gift shopping. But when it comes to curating your at-home Christmas playlist, you might want something a little more modern. A little more diva. A little more... Sabrina Carpenter singing about her man having a “huge North Pole.”
So, if you’re looking to add some more pop to your holiday playlist, check out some newer Christmas songs below. Ranging from early 2000s pop stars’ takes on Christmas, to Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, to a hip-hop take on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Tyler, the Creator, there’s plenty to choose from. Get ready for a hyped-up Christmas playlist — and some holiday breakup bangers, too, because singers seem pretty into those. No matter your mood, there’s truly a modern Christmas pop song for everyone.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey
How can we not start with the greatest modern Christmas song of all time??
“Christmas Time,” by Christina Aguilera
Back in 2000, Christina Aguilera released her Christmas album, My Kind of Christmas. (She was far from the only early aughts pop star to released a holiday album, as you'll see.) "Christmas Time" is all about gathering with loved ones to celebrate the big day.
“Almost Christmas,” by Jennifer Hudson feat. Common
Though she's released Christmas songs in the past, Jennifer Hudson released her first full Christmas album, The Gift of Love, in 2024. It features "Almost Christmas," a collaboration with her boyfriend, Common.
“December 25th,” by Charlie Puth
Also new for 2024 is Charlie Puth's song "December 25th" which is about being broken up with on Christmas Day. Ouch!
“Christmas Night with You,” by Little Big Town
Little Big Town put out a Christmas album in 2024 titled, appropriately, The Christmas Record. Their single "Christmas Night with You" is about a relationship that didn't make it to Christmas.
“Another Year,” by FINNEAS
A holiday song about being cautiously optimistic about a relationship? Sure! It also includes the line, "I don't believe that Jesus Christ was born to save me/That's an awful lot of pressure for a baby," so there's that.
“Holiday Road,” by Lindsay Buckingham
"Holiday Road is not actually a Christmas song; it just accidentally became one. The song was released for National Lampoon's Vacation, not National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but it contains the word "holiday" and everyone's memory of the movies kind of got mixed up, so here we are.
“One I’ve Been Missing,” by Little Mix
Little Mix's 2019 holiday song is about reuniting with your significant other at Christmas, after they've been "on the wrong side of the world." That specific sentiment might be more relatable to touring girl group members, but anyone in a long-distance relationship should be able to connect.
“Christmas Tree,” by Lady Gaga
In 2008, Lady Gaga released a Christmas song that is full of sexual innuendoes — or, actually, the lyrics might be too obvious to even be considered innuendoes. Not for your family holiday party!
“December Baby,” by JoJo
JoJo's "December Baby" is about hoping that your ex will come back to you by December. Cue the tears.
“Blue Christmas,” by Elvis Presley
And while we're on that sad note about spending Christmas without the one you love, here's a classic of the genre: Elvis' "Blue Christmas".
“Holidays,” by Meghan Trainor feat. Earth, Wind & Fire
That's right, Meghan Trainor recorded a holiday song with iconic funk group Earth, Wind & Fire. It's all about partying and celebrating! A relief after those Xmas breakup songs, huh?
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” by Camila Cabello
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is a classic, but this cover by Camila Cabello makes the list because it did the very modern thing of becoming a meme. That was due to the singer's pronunciation of “Christmas,” which was deemed “Quismois.” She got in on the joke, too.
“Little Saint Nick,” by the Beach Boys
Santa sounds like a cool surfer dude who loves his sports car — or, well, sleigh, in this Beach Boys hit.
“DJ Play a Christmas Song,” by Cher
Cher released her first Christmas album in 2023. It features covers and originals, including this very Cher track about celebrating the holiday at a nightclub.
“Also It's Christmas,” by Matt Rogers
Speaking of Christmas in the club, there’s comedian Matt Rogers’ humorous and very catchy “Also It's Christmas.”
“Merry Xmas Everybody,” by Slade
The British band Slade released "Merry Xmas Everybody" in 1973. This is one you might think you don't know, but have almost certainly heard.
“I Wish It Was Christmas Today,” by Julian Casablancas
In 2009, The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas covered this song, which was originally a Saturday Night Live segment back in 2000.
“Sleigh Ride,” by TLC
"Sleigh Ride" is a classic Christmas song, but TLC modernized it in 1993. While many of the lyrics remain the same, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' rap verse in particular brings something new.
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” by Darlene Love
Take it back to the 1960s with this upbeat classic from Darlene Love.
“This Christmas,” by Donny Hathaway
Or, take it back to the '70s with another undeniable classic: Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas"
“Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas,” by Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé
Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé know their way around a Christmas song — they've both released a lot of 'em! This one from 2020 is perhaps best described as... surprisingly sexual?
“Groovy Xmas,” by The Linda Lindas
The teen punk band The Linda Lindas gave the world another rock take on Christmas music with 2022's "Groovy Xmas."
“Single on the 25th” by Lauren Spencer Smith
Being single on Christmas kind of sucks, and Lauren Spencer Smith bottled up the exact feeling with this song.
“Winter White Hymnal,” by Fleet Foxes
"Haunting" and "dark" are not usually words associated with Christmas songs, but maybe you're looking to switch it up. This Fleet Foxes song certainly has some strong winter imagery.
“Night Before Christmas,” by Sam Smith
Sam Smith released the original Christmas song “Night Before Christmas” in 2022. It’s a romantic one about dancing in the kitchen and not feeling cold when you're with the person you love.
“Wit It This Christmas” by Ariana Grande
Let’s be real: Ariana Grande’s Christmas & Chill EP shifted the culture.
"Hey Sis, It's Christmas," by RuPaul feat. Markaholic
Did you know that RuPaul has three Christmas albums? Check out one of the famous drag queen’s seasonal songs with “Hey Sis, It’s Christmas.”
“A Nonsense Christmas,” by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter released a holiday remix of her song “Nonsense” with “A Nonsense Christmas.” And it’s not your grandma’s Christmas song with lyrics like, “I might change your contact to ‘Has a huge North Pole’” and “You said you like my stockings better on the floor.”
“Merry Christmas,” by Ed Sheeran & Elton John
In 2021, Ed Sheeran teamed up with music legend Elton John for “Merry Christmas,” a holiday song that also reflects on that very rough year.
“Underneath the Tree,” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson's hit from her 2013 Christmas album, Wrapped in Red, has a similar theme to Mariah Carey’s classic: All she needs underneath her Christmas tree is her boo.
“One More Sleep,” by Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis may be best known for her song “Bleeding Love,” but she joined the ranks of pop stars with great Christmas albums with 2013’s Christmas, with Love. Her single “One More Sleep” is about love and the excitement of the night before Christmas.
“Come Out and Play” by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish dropped this cozy winter song for Apple’s “Share Your Gifts” commercial in 2018, and it’s the sonic equivalent of a warm mug of hot cocoa.
“Christmas Lights,” by Coldplay
Speaking of holiday songs that are kind of a bummer... "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay is a Christmas-themed breakup song. Listen as Chris Martin takes you on a journey of a man not exactly enjoying the holiday sights all alone.
“Cozy Little Christmas,” by Katy Perry
On a completely different note: Leave it to Katy Perry to pair her Christmas song with a video in which she and a nude Santa get a couples massage from fake reindeer.
“Wonderful Christmastime,” by Harry Styles
Make Paul McCartney’s modern Xmas song even more modern with Harry Styles’ cover.
“Drummer Boy” by Justin Bieber feat. Busta Rhymes
Okay, so this is technically a reimagining of the classic holiday track…but Justin Bieber brings a whole other level of swag with his new verses.
”Happy Xmas (War Is Over),“ by Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson feat. Sean Ono Lennon
Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson covered John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas” in 2018 and were joined by Ono and Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon.
“Together This Christmas,” by Maisie Peters
Everyone say thank you to Maisie for penning her instant holiday classic, “Together This Christmas,” in 2022.
“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” by Tyler, the Creator
Whoever thought of bringing Tyler, the Creator on to do the soundtrack for Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch in 2018 deserves presents year-round.
“Snowman,” by Sia
Did you know Sia has a Christmas album, too? Her single “Snowman” from the 2017 album Everyday Is Christmas had a real moment on TikTok in 2020.
“Make It to Christmas," by Alessia Cara
This song sounds upbeat, but TBH the lyrics are kind of sad. Alessia’s song is about hoping a relationship can survive through the holidays. That's become a real trope, hasn't it?
“Make You Mine This Season,” by Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara’s “Make You Mine This Season” is from the 2020 Kristen Stewart rom-com Happiest Season. If you’ve been searching for a fun indie pop Christmas song, here you go.
“Glittery,” by Kacey Musgraves feat. Troye Sivan
When Kacey Musgraves hosted The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show in 2019, she duetted with Troye Sivan on “Glittery.” The song is about having a person in your life at the holidays who makes you feel glittery.
“Greatest Time of Year,” by Aly & AJ
This modern classic took over the Disney Channel in 2006 and has gone triple platinum in this house every holiday season since.
“Oh Santa,” by Mariah Carey feat. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson
Three of music’s biggest stars combined their powers into one single Christmas song, which debuted during Mariah’s 2020 Christmas special, so what more is there to say, really? Get listening!
“It’s Not Christmas ’Til Somebody Cries,” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen joined the Christmas music party with “It’s Not Christmas ’Til Somebody Cries.” This song includes relatable lyrics like, “My boyfriend is a vegan so they fed him fish / My uncle made it worse by talking politics.” Sound familiar?
“Holiday,” by Lil Nas X
There aren’t enough rap holiday songs, IMO, but fortunately, Lil Nas X is here to add to the list. The song might not be that specifically about the holidays, but the music video where he plays a futuristic Santa definitely is.
“Santa Tell Me,” by Ariana Grande
It is hard to come out with a Christmas song that becomes an instant classic, but Ariana Grande went there with “Santa Tell Me.” The song came out in 2014, but you’ll still hear it played during holiday shopping each season.
“Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” by *NSYNC
In 1998, a ramen-noodle-hair-era Justin Timberlake and the rest of the guys released a Christmas album that included this catchy holiday song. The video is, in a word, chaotic.
“My Only Wish (This Year),” by Britney Spears
Obviously, Britney Spears released a Christmas song, too! In “My Only Wish (This Year),” the singer asks Santa to leave her a boyfriend under the tree.
“Christmas Tree Farm,” by Taylor Swift
Did you know Taylor Swift spent part of her childhood living on a Christmas tree farm? You sure will after watching this video, which is full of clips of little Taylor roaming around in the snow.
“Mistletoe,” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has gone through a lot over the years, but back in 2011, he was just a teenager singing about kissing under the mistletoe while fake snow floated down on him.
“You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” by Gwen Stefani feat. Blake Shelton
This duet is about both Christmas and Gwen finding love again with Blake Shelton after her divorce. “We’re gonna be a classic for all time,” she sings. But will this song be a classic for all time? So far, so good.
“Christmas in Hollis," by Run-DMC
“Christmas in Hollis” is a rare hip-hop Christmas classic. It’s a simple song about home-cooked food, snow on the ground, and Santa leaving a biiiiig bag of cash under the tree.
“What Christmas Means to Me,” by John Legend feat. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me” is a classic — and a modern classic, if we’re comparing the 1967 song to, say, “Silent Night.” But if you want an even more recent version, John Legend recorded the song for his 2018 album A Legendary Christmas.
“What Christmas Means to Me,” by Stevie Wonder
Of course, the original is well worth adding to your playlist, too.
“8 Days of Christmas,” by Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child recorded their own take on “The 12 Days of Christmas” with lyrics that could not be more early aughts: “On the third day of Christmas, my baby gave to me / A gift certificate to get my favorite CDs.” A Christmas time capsule!
“Christmas Makes Me Cry,” by Kacey Musgraves
If you’re feeling emosh this Christmas, this song will do the trick. You and Kacey can cry together.
“Like It’s Christmas,” by the Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers had a big comeback year in 2019, and that included the release of a Christmas single about every day feeling like Christmas when you’re with the one you love. Aww.
“Christmas Wrapping,” by the Waitresses
This is that song you hear in every grocery store during the holidays but you just never knew the name of it. Well, it’s “Christmas Wrapping,” by the Waitresses. You’re welcome.
"Love to Keep Me Warm," by Laufey and dodie
As one fan of the track puts it, “This should be a modern Christmas classic.” We couldn’t agree more!
“Last Christmas,” by Wham!
Wham!’s “Last Christmas” has an overwhelmingly ’80s music video, inspired an entire movie, and will be stuck in your head until the new year.
“Last Christmas,” by Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan
Want to switch things up? Sabrina enlisted Chappell Roan for a stunning cover of the Wham! classic for her Nonsense Christmas Netflix special. Happy listening!
