While timeless classics from Bing Crosby, Brenda Lee, and Andy Williams continue to fill our hearts with holiday cheer, the 21st century has ushered in a fresh wave of exceptional Christmas music. These contemporary carols are not just seasonal novelties; they represent the enduring artistry of holiday songwriting and many are quickly becoming beloved staples alongside pre-Y2K icons like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas.”
The early 2000s and beyond have proven to be a fertile ground for holiday musical innovation, producing tracks that are both instantly recognizable and destined to become cross-generational favorites. From upbeat, energetic anthems perfect for bustling shopping malls to intimate, reflective melodies that capture the quieter beauty of the season, the best Christmas songs of recent decades offer something for everyone.
Here are some of the top Christmas music selections from the 21st century that deserve a spot on your holiday playlist:
Festive & Fun: Upbeat Christmas Anthems
This section highlights some of the most energetic and joyful Christmas songs released in the 21st century, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.
Kelly Clarkson, “Underneath the Tree”
Year: 2013
Best lyric: “It just wasn’t the same/ Alone on Christmas day/ Presents, what a beautiful sight/ Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight.”
Kelly Clarkson delivers a powerhouse performance in this instantly classic Christmas bop. “Underneath the Tree” is a vibrant and soulful track that perfectly captures the joy of being with loved ones during the holidays, making it a staple on any top Christmas music list.
Ariana Grande, “Santa Tell Me”
Year: 2014
Best lyric: “I’ve been down this road before/ Fell in love on Christmas night/ But on New Year’s Day, I woke up and he wasn’t by my side.”
Ariana Grande brings her signature pop sensibilities to the holiday season with “Santa Tell Me.” This catchy and relatable tune explores the anxieties of holiday romance, wrapped in a sweet and undeniably festive melody that’s perfect for repeat listens during the Christmas season.
Justin Bieber, “Mistletoe”
Year: 2011
Best lyric: “I don’t wanna miss out on the holiday/ But I can’t stop starin’ at your face.”
Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” is a teen-pop Christmas charmer. This song blends Bieber’s signature vocals with a breezy, holiday-themed production, resulting in a track that’s both youthful and festive. It’s a perfect addition to any best Christmas songs playlist for those seeking a modern, romantic vibe.
Jimmy Fallon & Meghan Trainor, “Wrap Me Up”
Year: 2023
Best lyric: “Wrap me up/ It’s like Christmas magic/ Wrap me up/ I’m the whole damn package.”
A playful and recent addition to the Christmas canon, Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor’s “Wrap Me Up” is pure holiday fun. This duet is bursting with energy and good humor, making it an ideal choice for adding a lighthearted and contemporary feel to your Christmas music selection.
Sabrina Carpenter, “A Nonsense Christmas”
Year: 2022
Best lyric: “You’re my wish list/ Lookin’ at you got me thinkin’ Christmas/ Snowflakes in my stomach when we’re kissing.”
Sabrina Carpenter offers a flirty and fun take on Christmas romance with “A Nonsense Christmas.” This track blends pop sensibilities with holiday cheer, creating a playful and modern Christmas song that resonates with younger audiences and those seeking a fresh, upbeat holiday sound.
Heartfelt & Soulful: Christmas Ballads
This section delves into the more emotional and reflective side of Christmas music, showcasing songs that evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and love.
Norah Jones, “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”
Year: 2021
Best lyric: “And the friends who feel like family/ With their secret angels holding me?/ And the snow is falling, can’t you see?/ Is it Christmas calling out to me?”
Norah Jones brings her signature smooth vocals and jazzy style to “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones).” This song is a warm and comforting ballad that perfectly captures the introspective mood of the holiday season, making it a standout among the best Christmas songs for quiet evenings by the fire.
Leona Lewis, “One More Sleep”
Year: 2013
Best lyric: “‘Cause I got five more nights of sleeping on my own/ Four more days until you’re coming home/ Three more dreams of you and mistletoe/ Two more reasons why I love you so.”
Leona Lewis delivers a powerful and emotional performance in “One More Sleep.” This song beautifully expresses the anticipation and longing for loved ones during the holiday season, blending soulful vocals with a classic Christmas ballad structure that resonates deeply.
Michael Bublé, “Cold December Night”
Year: 2011
Best lyric: “Oh but this evening can be a holy night/ So cozy on up by the fireplace/ And dim those Christmas lights.”
Michael Bublé, known for his crooner style, offers a cozy and romantic Christmas tune with “Cold December Night.” This song evokes the classic imagery of a warm Christmas evening, filled with love and togetherness, solidifying its place among the best Christmas music for creating a warm holiday atmosphere.
Kelly Clarkson & Brett Eldridge, “Under the Mistletoe”
Year: 2020
Best lyric: “Magic fills the air/ Standin’ over there/ Santa hear my prayer/ Here under the mistletoe.”
Another entry from Kelly Clarkson, this duet with Brett Eldridge, “Under the Mistletoe,” is a charming and sweet Christmas ballad. Their voices blend beautifully in this romantic holiday song, perfect for slow dancing by the Christmas tree and showcasing the softer side of top Christmas music.
Dan + Shay, “Take Me Home for Christmas”
Year: 2020
Best lyric: “Baby, won’t you take me home for Christmas, show me ’round your town?/ Take me where you used to watch the snow come down/ All of your traditions, I wanna know ’em all.”
Dan + Shay bring their country-pop sensibility to the holidays with “Take Me Home for Christmas.” This song is a heartwarming ode to returning home for Christmas and sharing traditions with loved ones, offering a comforting and relatable message that’s perfect for the season.
Unique & Alternative Christmas Sounds
This section highlights songs that offer a different take on Christmas music, showcasing unique styles and perspectives within the holiday genre.
Sufjan Stevens, “Lumberjack Christmas”
Year: 2006
Best lyric: “No one save you from Christmases past/ You’ll have to love him, or leave him at last”
Sufjan Stevens brings his indie-folk sensibilities to the Christmas season with “Lumberjack Christmas.” This quirky and introspective track offers a unique take on holiday themes, blending Stevens’ distinctive sound with Christmas elements for a truly original listening experience.
!!!, “And Anyway It’s Christmas”
Year: 2013
Best lyric: “Nothing feels quite like a kiss does / And anyway it’s Christmas.”
!!! (Chk Chk Chk) offers an unconventional and funky Christmas track with “And Anyway It’s Christmas.” This song brings a dance-punk energy to the holiday season, proving that Christmas music can be both festive and unexpected, perfect for those seeking something different in their top Christmas music selections.
V, “Christmas Tree”
Year: 2021
Best lyric: “Your light’s the only thing that keeps the cold out/ Moon in the summer night/ Whispering of the stars/ They’re singing like Christmas trees for us.”
V from BTS delivers a soulful and poetic Christmas song with “Christmas Tree.” This track showcases V’s rich vocals in a tender and evocative holiday ballad, adding an international flair to the best Christmas songs and demonstrating the global appeal of holiday music.
Colbie Caillat, “Christmas in the Sand”
Year: 2012
Best lyric: “Don’t need your winter coat, don’t need you winter hat/ Just grab the one you love and say, ‘You’re never coming back.’”
Colbie Caillat brings a sunny, beachy vibe to Christmas with “Christmas in the Sand.” This song offers a warm and tropical take on the holiday season, perfect for those who celebrate Christmas in warmer climates or dream of a non-traditional winter holiday.
Bleachers, “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call”
Year: 2024
Best lyric: “And the toughest part is that we both know/ What happened to you/ Why you’re out on your own/ Merry Christmas, please don’t call.”
Bleachers offer a bittersweet and honest Christmas song with “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” This track explores the complexities of holiday emotions, acknowledging that Christmas isn’t always joyful for everyone, and providing a relatable and poignant addition to the best Christmas songs for those experiencing a more melancholic holiday season.
Timeless Emotion: Songs of Longing and Reflection
These songs tap into the deeper emotions often associated with Christmas, including longing, nostalgia, and reflection.
Lea Michelle, “Christmas in New York”
Year: 2019
Best lyric: “Find me on Broadway or at the ballet/ And I’m five years old again/ Making my wish list, but all I wish is/ For another Christmas in New York.”
Lea Michelle’s “Christmas in New York” is a nostalgic and heartfelt ode to the magic of Christmas in the city. This song evokes the wonder and enchantment of a New York City Christmas, making it a perfect choice for those who cherish holiday memories and dream of a classic urban Christmas experience.
Kacey Musgraves, “Christmas Makes Me Cry”
Year: 2016
Best lyric: “I wonder if I’m the only one/ Whose broken heart still has broken parts/ Just wrapped in pretty paper/ And it’s always sad seeing mom and dad/ Getting a little grayer.”
Kacey Musgraves delivers a raw and emotionally honest Christmas song with “Christmas Makes Me Cry.” This ballad acknowledges the sadness that some feel during the holidays, offering solace and understanding to those who find Christmas to be a bittersweet time, and demonstrating the range of emotions present in top Christmas music.
Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles, “Winter Song”
Year: 2008
Best lyric: “This is my winter song/ December never felt so wrong/ ‘Cause you’re not where you belong/ Inside my arms.”
Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles’ “Winter Song” is a hauntingly beautiful and melancholic Christmas ballad. This duet perfectly captures the feeling of longing and loneliness during the holiday season, offering a poignant and emotionally resonant addition to any best Christmas songs collection.
Taylor Swift, “Christmas Tree Farm”
Year: 2019
Best lyric: “And when I’m feelin’ alone/ You remind me of home/ Oh, baby, baby, Merry Christmas/ And when the world isn’t fair/ I pretend that we’re there/ Baby, baby, Merry Christmas.”
Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm” is a nostalgic and heartwarming song that evokes the magic of childhood Christmases. This track is filled with personal memories and a sense of home, making it a comforting and relatable addition to any top Christmas music playlist, especially for fans of Swift’s storytelling.
Pentatonix, “That’s Christmas to Me”
Year: 2014
Best lyric: “I’ve got this Christmas song in my heart/ I’ve got the candles glowing in the dark/ I’m hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree/ Oh, why? Cause that’s Christmas to me.”
Pentatonix brings their signature a cappella style to the holidays with “That’s Christmas to Me.” This song is a celebration of personal Christmas traditions and the simple joys of the season, showcasing the group’s vocal harmonies and offering a heartwarming and unique Christmas sound.
John Legend, “You Deserve It All”
Year: 2021
Best lyric: “You give of yourself so unselfishly/ So I, I wanna give with all the finest things/ I found a gift that’s perfect/ And you’re more than worth it.”
John Legend brings his soulful voice and romantic sensibility to “You Deserve It All.” This song is a heartfelt expression of love and appreciation during the Christmas season, perfect for dedicating to someone special and adding a touch of romance to your best Christmas songs playlist.
Mariah Carey, “Oh Santa!”
Year: 2010
Best lyric: “I’ve been really, really, really good this year/ So put on that red suit and make him appear/ ‘Cause Christmas cheer/ Just ain’t the same without my baby.”
Mariah Carey proves her reign as the Queen of Christmas with “Oh Santa!” This upbeat and playful track showcases Carey’s vocal prowess in a fun and festive Christmas wish, adding another Mariah classic to the top Christmas music landscape and offering a modern companion to “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Sia, “Snowman”
Year: 2017
Best lyric: “I want you to know that I’m never leaving/ ‘Cause I’m Mrs. Snow, ’til death we’ll be freezing.”
Sia’s “Snowman” is a uniquely charming and slightly quirky Christmas ballad. With Sia’s distinctive vocals and a simple, yet effective melody, “Snowman” has become a modern Christmas favorite for its heartfelt lyrics and gentle wintery feel, solidifying its place amongst the best Christmas songs of recent years.
The 21st century has gifted us with a diverse and rich collection of Christmas music that stands proudly alongside the classics. This list is just a starting point for exploring the best Christmas songs and top Christmas music of our time, proving that the spirit of holiday songwriting continues to thrive and evolve. So, this Christmas, be sure to add these modern gems to your playlist and discover your new holiday favorites.
