Holiday Songs Smorgasbord 2025
Ho ho ho! Welp, let’s dig in to the smorgasbord of new holiday music for this season.
What’s your pleasure this holiday season? Fun? Mocking? Serious? Sorrowful? Rockin’? Country? Classic? It’s all here, and just like a holiday smorgasbord of fiery, sweet, crunchy, and mysterious foods, there are some that might make you cry and some that light up your smile and some that expose the bitter side and some that really hit your nostalgia button. Some are traditional fare and some are new recipes. All of them are designed to carry you through this season of low light with an intention of optimism or at least catharsis. Scroll down and check out the playlist at the bottom of this post: heart, like, save & listen on your holiday drives! Listen on shuffle and mix it up!
Old Crow Medicine Show “Breakin Up Xmas.” OCMS put out a whole holiday music album “OCMS XMAS.” This one launched the experience with wild enthusiasm.
Mike Blair and the Stonewalls “Christmas Must Be Tonight” (the Band) This is a sweet, rustic version of this song, and Mike Blair and the Stonewalls play it nice.
Brittany Ann Tranbaugh & Carsie Blanton “Office Christmas Party.” This is a fun, truth-telling Christmas song (“all I want for Christmas is a union”) with the rich southern vocals trading off delightfully.
Alex Hall “’57 Chevy Bel Air.” This one is a sexy ode to a sexy car, and a great fun holiday song.
The Storm Windows “Santa Goes to Space.” This song is a soothing and quite lovely homage to Santa and Rudolph.
Eli Lev “The Heart of Every Holiday.” This song is reflective and sincere in the best way, with ugly sweaters and a touch of horns.
Jeffrey Straker “Never Too Old To Wish” is a quality holiday song, reflective and easy.
John Salaway “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Jazzy and reflective, this is a nice addition to our holiday playlist.
Anders Jornesten “A Thousand Roads (Christmas Day).” This song is thoughtful with sweet harmonies.
Dan Mangan “A Christmas Song.” Sung with a palpable sense of pain and vulnerability.
Bremner Fletcher Duthie “Christmas Dream of New Orleans.” This song is a dose of realism from being stuck at work to the unique features of a Christmas in New Orleans.
Julie & Diego “Krampus Karol.” A playful and humorous song for the holidays.
The Accidentals “Silent Night.” A fluid and dreamy version.
Solve4X “Christmas Lights.” With piano and soaring vocals, this one captures the spirit.
Straight No Chaser .”Christmas Is Different.” Impossible to listen to without a smile. The snaps make it.
Eddy Mann “O’ Come” is suspenseful and groovy and a good piece of music on a traditional song, well appreciated this season.
Walker Reinhardt “Christmas (Merry).” There’s something truly of substance about this song, with hints of Beatlesesque vocals and rockabilly merriment, it’s a timeless holiday hip shaker.
Joe Goodkin “Before It’s Christmas Again,” a subdued song with piano and hushed electric guitar, it’s a soulful longing “I wonder if I’ll get the chance to see ya’ before it’s Christmas again.”
The Doohickeys “Merry Happy Whatever” is a rockin’ swingin’ jolly number from their 5 song holiday EP.
Cipherdash “Thrill of Hope” is a peaceful, reflective number with a meaningful vibe and an honest vocal delivery with touches of muted trumpet.
Drew & Ellie Holcomb “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear.” An hushed emotional rendition that keeps the intention of the traditional.
Judy Whitmore “The Ghosts of Christmas Past,” from her whole Christmas album Christmas, is a quiet reflection of loss on Christmas morning.
Danna Aliano “Holiday Time Christmas Cheer” changes the pace a bit with “don’t want no bacon or no beans, cause that ain’t Christmas time to me.” Sassy and fun.
Good Grief & Niiva “Leave It To Dreaming” is a soulful, seductive slow-paced song with a tongue-in-cheek story to tell.
Mrs. Yellow “Longing For Christmas” is complete with bells and a high vocal cracking with vulnerability.
Stacy Griesbach “Holidaze” is a little bit jazzy with Christmas cheer and kisses under the mistletoe.
La Need Machine “Santa Claus Broke My Baby’s Heart.” This is a fun song with bright acoustic guitar strings and a modern country music flair.
Fiona Joy Hawkins “A Simple Christmas.” This song has all the elements you need, with hushed instruments and the gift of love as the greatest gift of all.
King of the Jersey Shore “Thanksgiving Christmas.” This is a fun song, with bells and an acknowledgment of the way the holidays seem to all run together quickly.
Gina Zo “Santa Do You Know?” Upbeat, fun, with enticing bells and the question is posed “Santa do you know, is he tied up with a bow, a big smile….”
Eliane Delage “White Christmas Guitar.” This song is retro with “oooos” and sounds like an instant ’60s holiday classic.
Kenny Sharp “Seasons” is a vulnerable love song with beautiful imagery, longing, and the will to hold onto memories.
Scott West “Covid Christmas” is a great healing song about that time that we were all worrying about Covid during the holidays. “How Could I Let Christmas Come To This” is a somber, soul searching message, ruminating on the true meaning of the season.
John Lindberg Trio “Please Come Home (It’s Christmas).” Sometimes you really just need your baby next to you by the fire, and this crooner is a solid invitation to do just that.
Nick Martini “Super Jolly.” This is classic call & response about a married couple looking to the future, quite enjoyable.
Joseph Joe L “A Holy Night” Fun with a nice groove and fresh vocals and harmonies, which is a great addition to your list.
OVBLucky “All I Want For Christmas.” I will go out on a limb and state that this cover of the Maria Carey song is better than the original.
Ava Della Pietra “Last Christmas.” Ava really has star quality vocals, and it’s in abundant evidence here on her version of this bittersweet holiday song.
Sierra Levesque “Frosted Memories.” This is a little bit edgy and a little dark, which is what you very often need for a holiday song.
Tyler Sj “Mistletoe Taped to the Fan.” This is a good one when you’re at the beginning of something brand new, and musically it’s very rich.
Ben Dunnill “One More Christmas Song.” In the style of a classic Bing Crosby reflective crooner, this song feels like an instant traditional.
Brown & Gravy “Come Home For Christmas” is a vulnerable and simultaneously powerful holiday love song with vocal tradeoffs and duets, and is very enjoyable.
Earth Pilote “Snowy Bear” has sweet, whimsical vocals and then harmonies that really nail the style.
Red Peters “Holy Sh!t, It’s Christmas.” Just a fun addition to any holiday playlist.