50+ Best New-ish Christmas Songs You Need to Add to Your Holiday Playlist in 2023
Check out these songs to freshen up your Christmas playlists!
I love Christmas songs! I’m not ashamed to say it. I’m that person that starts listening to holiday music in September and I don’t stop until after the new year.
Everyone's Christmas playlist probably includes classics like Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” to more contemporary classics like Wham’s “Last Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas,” but sometimes I feel the need to revitalize my playlist with some new-ish tunes.
Here are some fresh newer Christmas songs to recharge your Christmas music playlist. For this list, we considered songs released in the last few years as "new."
JIMMY FALLON & MEGHAN TRAINOR
"Wrap Me Up"
Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor? Count me in. "Wrap Me Up" is a cute holiday song that I picture being the theme song for an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie.
CHER
"DJ Play a Christmas Song"
Cher is timeless. Like Dolly Parton, neither seem to ever age. Cher brings it with this new track.
MATT DUSK
"Rockin' Rudolph"
If you like Sinatra and big band jazz or swing, you'll probably like Matt Dusk. "Crooner" is the best word to describe this Canadian singer. I've followed him for years and still wonder why he isn't as popular as Michael Buble is. Dusk has a Christmas album that was released a few years back. "Rockin' Rudolph" is a brand new song released this year. He also sings a track on Tom Gaebel's new Christmas album.
HANNAH WADDINGHAM
"Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
If you haven't checked out Waddingham's Christmas special, Home for Christmas, on Apple TV, you should! It'll definitely get you in the holiday mood. The album is available to download on iTunes, but check out this track featuring Ted Lasso's Phil Dunster and the Fabulous Lounge Swingers.
LIZZO
"Someday at Christmas"
"Never Felt Like Christmas"
Though she hasn't released a Christmas album yet, Lizzo has a self-professed love of the holiday. She released a holiday single, "Never Felt Like Christmas" several years before she found mainstream success. Check out her rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas," which is available exclusively on Amazon Music.
CAMILLA CABELLO
"I'll Be Home for Christmas"
Check out her rendition of the classic "The Christmas Song" with Shawn Mendes here.
ED SHEERAN AND ELTON JOHN
"Merry Christmas"
Ed Sheeran AND Elton John? Instant classic, right?
SIA
"Naughty and Nice"
"12 Nights"
"3 Minutes 'Til New Year's"
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of her holiday album, Everyday is Christmas, Sia dropped three additional tracks on the deluxe digital version of the album. Of the three, "Naughty and Nice" was my favorite. Listen to it below.
NEW RULES
"Might Ruin Christmas"
If you like The Vamps, One Direction, or even Back Street Boys or N*SYNC, you'll probably like New Rules.
ALLY BROOKE
"Under the Tree"
This a fun holiday song and pairs well with "Wrap Me Up" by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor.
DIONNE WARWICK
"Glisten and the Merry Mission"
Dionne Warwick sings this song from Build-A-Bear's animated feature film, Glisten and the Merry Mission.
ELLE DARLINGTON
"Christmas is You"
Singer-songwriter Elle Darlington is fairly new to the music scene. This is her first holiday single.
LAURA SPENCER SMITH
"Single on the 25th"
Smith has been singing since she was a kid, but it was after she won a contest and got to sing on stage with Keith Urban that she realized singing was the only thing she wanted to do. She competed on the 18th season of American Idol but made it to the top 20 before getting eliminated. She has since built a huge following on social media with her songs, "Fingers Crossed" and "Flowers". Check out her Amazon Exclusive version of Wham's "Last Christmas" here.
ALICIA KEYS
"December Back 2 June"
"Not Even the King"
"Old Memories of Christmas"
Not to be outdone by Amazon Music Exclusives, Apple Music released an exclusive Christmas album by Alicia Keys. Her holiday album, Santa Baby, includes a track of the titular classic, but also includes several original tracks including "December Back 2 June". Take a listen below.
SAM RYDER
"Jingle Bells"
Ryder was recently nominated for an Emmy for his song, "Fought and Lost," which was featured in the final season of Ted Lasso. His rendition of "Jingle Bells" was released as an Amazon exclusive, but you can check out a live performance of the song below.
DVSN
"Amazing Grace"
DVSN (pronounced "Division") is a Canadian R&B duo signed to Drake's OVO label. Check out their soulful take on the hymn "Amazing Grace".
THE LINDA LINDAS
"Groovy Xmas"
A punk rock band out of Los Angeles, all four members of The Linda Lindas are still teens but have been playing as a group for five years. They've already been on movie soundtracks and performed at the Hollywood Palladium. They've since signed to Epitaph and released an album called "Growing Up." This Christmas tune gives me vibes of The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping".
Dan + Shay
"Pick Out a Christmas Tree"
"Holiday Party"
I'm not a huge fan of country music, but I make exceptions. This is one of them.
ROB THOMAS
"Christmas in a Small Town"
Former Matchbox Twenty leadman Rob Thomas has since embarked on a solo career and released a Christmas album last year, Something About Christmas Time. One of the singles off the album is "Christmas in a Small Town."
AJ SMITH
"Naughty"
Think of this one as the holiday version of Barry White's "Let's Get It On."
BETH // JAMES
"Tiki Christmas Land"
Americana duo Beth // James will release their a Christmas EP on Dec. 7. The EP, entitled "Tiki Christmas Land" will contain four original holiday songs including the title track and their rendition of the classic "Blue Christmas." Check out their video for "Tiki Christmas Land" which was filmed at the Shangri-La bar in Austin.
RANDALL KING
"Silent Night"
CHORD OVERSTREET
"Everybody Loves Christmas"
Glee alum Chord Overstreet co-wrote this holiday pop song with producer Adam Yaron.
Related: Religious Christmas Songs
MAISIE PETERS
"Together This Christmas"
In another Amazon Original exclusive, British singer-songerwriter Maisie Peters sings the original song "Together This Christmas" She signed with Ed Sheeran's Gingerbread Man Records in 2021 and released her second studio album, The Good Witch, earlier this year.
JOHN LEGEND
"You Deserve It All"
"Nutmeg"
Legend's legendary smooth voice makes "You Deserve It All" a keeper on your holiday playlist. "Nutmeg" is a fun duet Legend did with Stephen Colbert.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
"Stretchy Pants"
Carrie Underwood has released some great traditional holiday favorites like "Hallelujah (with John Legend)," "Little Drummer Boy," and "Mary Did You Know" but "Stretchy Pants" is my new holiday anthem! The amusing ode to holiday overindulgence is as addictive as those buttery mashed potatoes on the Thanksgiving table.
Related: Get Ready for an UPlifting Holiday Season With UPtv's 2023 Christmas Lineup of All-New Movies
NORAH JONES
"Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)"
The multi-Grammy winner Jones has finally released a Christmas album and I'm here for it! While there are some classic tunes like "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland", it's the new original tunes like "Christmas Glow", "A Holiday With You", and "It's Only Christmas Once a Year". Check out the original single, "Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)" below.
KELLY CLARKSON
"Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)"
Clarkson's first Christmas album, Wrapped Up in Red is one of my favorite holiday albums. One of my favorite tracks on the album is "Winter's Dream (Brandon's Song)". Unfortunately, since the release of the album, Clarkson's relationship with then-husband Brandon Blackstock has ended in a contentious split.
Clarkson released a new Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around. The first single off the album is "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)" which is clearly a song to counter "Winter Dreams" and shows while some relationships don't end in happily-ever-after that's not necessarily a bad thing.
PISTOL ANNIES
"Snow Globe"
The country music trio returns with their first holiday album, Hell of a Holiday. The trio - Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley—penned 10 all new original holiday tracks for the album.
CRYSTAL DRAKE
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
If you're looking for a jazzy rendition of this old classic, check out soul-pop singer Crystal Drake's version. Drake's album, Snowburst, contains four holiday classics.
BLONDIE
"Yuletide Throwdown"
If you're looking to take an aural trip back to the 80s, look no further than Blondie's "Yuletide Throwdown" featuring Fab 5 Freddie. This original track which will be released for the first time digitally and on limited edition vinyl, was the precursor for what would become one of the band's biggest hits, "Rapture". Shelved for decades, it was only recently rediscovered when the band was researching through their archives for an upcoming box set to be released in 2022.
ZACH WILLIAMS
"Go Tell It On the Mountain"
"I Don't Want Christmas to End"
Grammy-award winning Christian rock musician, Zach Williams released his first holiday album last year. I Don't Want Christmas to End includes the original title track as well as Christmas classics like "Run, Run Rudolph" and "Go Tell It On the Mountain."
MAGGIE SZABO (with Dylan Chambers)
"Christmas Without You"
Not to be mistaken for the song of the same name sung by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, this original holiday single from Maggie Szabo featuring Dylan Chambers is a heart-warming slow jam to warm up those cold winter nights.
Related: Our Favorite Romantic Holiday Songs of All Time
HAUSER
"Amazing Grace"
Named one of People's Sexiest Men Alive in 2022, Croatian cellist Hauser released his first holiday album this year. Appropriately titled, Christmas, the album has 14 tracks including eight seasonal carols and "Amazing Grace," one of Hausesr's favorites. Check out the video for "Amazing Grace" below.
MATTHEW WEST
"Come Home for Christmas"
West has partnered with Great American Family to showcase his new holiday tune, "Come Home for Christmas". The song was featured throughout Great American Family's holiday programming event last year.
“Matthew is one of my favorite storytellers through music of all time," shares Candace Cameron Bure. "The originality and authenticity of his Christmas songs can be felt within his lyrics and melodies. I’m incredibly thrilled that he is a part of Great American Family, and that our audience can experience such moving music that is unlike any other.”
They may not be oldies yet, but they're still goodies
They might be consider new songs anymore, and they're not quite classics yet either, but these songs will always find a place on my Christmas playlists.
LEANN RIMES
"You, Me, and Christmas"
"I Still Believe in Santa Claus"
Leann Rimes has released over a half dozen Christmas albums. In 2018, she branched out and starred in Hallmark Channel’s It’s Christmas, Eve and also put out an original soundtrack for the film. Two of the original songs on the album, “You, Me and Christmas” and “I Still Believe in Santa Claus” are both great additions to your holiday playlist.
Related: You'll Love This Version of Silver Bells from Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith!
KATY PERRY
"Cozy Little Christmas"
This Amazon Original song has easily taken a top spot on my holiday playlists (yes, I have more than one!).
TOBY LIGHTMAN
"Snow Day"
"At Christmas"
"Holiday Lights"
'm really enjoying the title track as well as "Snow Day" and "At Christmas".
SETH MACFARLANE
"Little Jack Frost"
Yes, the creator of Family Guy and The Orville sings! He’s loves to croon in the style of Tony Bennett and Dean Martin and he has released an album of traditional jazz standards and a Christmas album. In this duet with Norah Jones, MacFarlane shows he has something to fall back on if the animation thing doesn’t work out for him.
ARIANA GRANDE
"Winter Things"
"Snow in California"
Grande has a couple of Christmas EPs under her belt—2013’s Christmas Kisses and 2015’s Christmas & Chill. “Snow in California” and “Winter Things” have a permanent place on my playlist.
KELLY CLARKSON
"Christmas Eve"
I loved every track on Clarkson's 2013 Christmas album, Wrapped In Red. This song was written for the album but didn't make the cut. Luckily for fans, "Christmas Eve" was released as a single.
JONAS BROTHERS
"Like It's Christmas"
This song totally gets me in a festive mood. How can you not decorate the tree while listening to this tune?
KACEY MUSGRAVES
"Glittery" (ft. Troye Sivan)
"A Willie Nice Christmas"
"Glittery" is a charming Christmas love song from Musgraves' holiday special, The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show (available on Amazon Prime) and is sure to make you yearn to share a cup of hot cocoa with your someone special.
MATT DUSK
"Snowed In With You"
Dusk is one of my favorite crooners. Having seen him perform live multiple times I can guarantee his pipes are truly Sinatra-esque and not the result of the many dials in a recording studio. He released Old School Yule several years back with songs like "Snowed In With You".
MICAH EDWARDS
"December 26"
I discovered this "Texas Soul" musician a couple years ago and so glad I did! The crooner's song feels nostalgic while maintaining a modern flair.
Great vocals runs in this family. Micah's sister, Madeline Edwards, is a country singer and recently toured with Chris Stapleton. Check out her single, "Wild Horses".
SIA
"Candy Cane Lane"
"Puppies Are Forever"
"Round and Round"
Every song on Sia’s holiday album is a keeper, but my personal favorites are “Candy Cane Lane” and “Puppies Are Forever.” Even the video for “Candy Cane Lane” evokes memories of Rankin/Bass’ stop motion animated holiday tales of yore.
Next, Check Out the 100 Best Christmas Movies to Watch This Year
