15 Christmas Playlists Worth Rocking Out To This Year
Here at Urban List we basically believe anything past October is fair game to start cranking the Mariah. No judgement here—if the tree’s already up and you’ve been sneak-listening to All I Want For Christmas Is You since the day after Halloween hit, you’re in good company.
Whilst we love anything remotely festive, not all Christmas playlists are created equal. Some are pure festive magic, some are absolute chaos, and a few (looking at you, Sabrina Carpenter) have greatness thrust upon them. So whether you’re soundtracking the annual road trip, a backyard BBQ, or a late-night wrapping marathon, we’ve lined up the best Christmas playlists worth hitting play on this season.
Christmas Pop
Okay, so this one has most of the classics. But we need to start somewhere. As well as the Mariahs and Wham!s of this world, though, Spotify’s Christmas Pop playlist also includes a bunch of newer releases with Laufey and Olivia Rodrigo belting out some festive favourites.
Christmas Jazz
From Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, to Lauren Daigle and Jamie Cullum, this playlist brings the best of Christmas jazz and swing through the ages. It’s the perfect soundtrack for drifting off after one too many wines.
Electronic Christmas
Some of the best dance and electronic artists feature on this playlist that swaps out family favourites for dancefloor fillers. The likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday have been mixed into lofi electro swing beats, while classics like Jingle Bells, Last Christmas and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer have been given the full EDM treatment.
Folksy Christmas
Spotify’s Folksy Christmas playlist has got the ukuleles out with Vance Joy, Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers strumming the tunes. Let the harmonicas ring out all Christmas long with these laid-back numbers.
Disney Christmas
Isn’t it about time someone rounded up all the Christmas tunes from all the Disney movies and chucked them into a near-five hour playlist? Yeah… that already exists. You can now listen to the festive sounds of Frozen, The Muppet Christmas Carol and The Nightmare Before Christmas all in one place.
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Hip Hop Holiday
With songs like Merry Muthafuckin’ Xmas, A Pimp’s Christmas Song, A Christmas Fucking Miracle, Hustlaz Holiday, and Sex For Christmas —it might be best to save Spotify’s Hip Hop Holiday playlist for when Gran and the little ones are fast asleep.
A Merry Lofi Christmas
By now it should come as no surprise there’s a soft-beating, fuzzy-crackling lofi Christmas playlist. Whether you want a festive backing track while you work through the Christmas period, or you simply prefer the lofi renditions to the originals, Spotify’s editors have done another bang-up job of finding the best of the genre.
Heavy Metal Christmas Collection
Featuring 16 hours of moshable anthems, the Heavy Metal Christmas Collection is loaded with metal legends like Korn, Helix and Twisted Sister. Promising perfectly non-family friendly content, this playlist has AC/DC’s Mistress For Christmas, Spinal Tap’s Christmas With The Devil and Knock Gallery West’s Gunslingin’ Santa.
Mariachi Christmas
Mariachi, is a style of traditional Mexican folk music, performed by a small group of strolling musicians. It’s closely linked with Christmas, as well as other religious and family occasions. This playlist features Mariachi-style covers of familiar holiday anthems, full of plucky guitarrón mexicano and the tap-tap-tapping of maracas.
R&B Christmas
Spotify’s collection of the best R&B, soul and gospel flavoured Christmas songs is filled with the smoothest tunes to lull you into the festive mood. Think Giveon, Jhené Aiko and Ty Dolla $ign mixed with a selection of old school hits from legends like Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Boyz II Men and Stevie Wonder.
Country Christmas
This Country Christmas playlist is your go-to for a sun-soaked festive mood—perfect for BBQs, beach hangs or long drives down south. With twangy takes from Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, Dasha and Kacey Musgraves, it’s got just the right mix of feel-good charm and southern warmth. Think cowboy boots under fairy lights and a cold one in hand.
Electro Christmas Dance Party
If your December calendar is stacked with rooftop drinks and summer parties, Electro Christmas Dance Party is the only playlist you need. It’s a high-energy mix of EDM, electro-pop remixes and revamped classics that’ll keep the vibes up well past sunset. Think glitter, cocktails, and Santa on the decks.
Reggae Christmas
Bring a little island groove to your Christmas Day lunch with Reggae Christmas. This sunny playlist gives your usual carols a smooth, reggae twist, blending laid-back rhythms and familiar tunes that instantly make any gathering feel like a beach party. Perfect for chilled arvos, cold drinks, and bare feet on the grass.
Punk Christmas
Tinsel, meet chaos. Punk Christmas is for anyone who’s had enough of crooners and sugar-sweet jingles. Expect punchy guitars, fast tempos and plenty of festive attitude from your favourite punk and alt bands. It’s loud, irreverent and absolutely the palate cleanser you didn’t know your Christmas needed.
Hipster Christmas
If you prefer your playlists a little more eclectic, Hipster Christmas has you covered. It’s an indie-folky blend featuring Tom Petty, Kacey Musgraves, Boyz II Men and Lauren Daigle—an effortlessly cool mix that keeps the festive spirit subtle and stylish. Perfect for low-key dinners, mulled wine and mistletoe moments that don’t try too hard.
And if you're in the serious throes of Christmas, you're going to want to make a dash to our take on all the best Netflix movies to devour.
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