We’ll never tire of WHAM! and Mariah Carey, but why not mix timeless classics with fresh hits? Ring in the new year with a playlist refresh featuring newer Christmas EPs, albums, and singles.
The tree is lit, the gifts are wrapped, the holiday feast all laid out, and your guests are starting to trickle in. But wait, where’s the music? Well, you’ve got your speakers ready, and sure, WHAM!, Mariah, and good ‘ol Bublé will never leave the holiday rotation, but this year, why not add a burst of modern magic? Whether they’re fresh covers of old favorites or completely original songs, these Christmas tracks are here to keep the party going strong.
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fruitcake by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina makes being on Santa’s naughty list a lot more fun than anyone would care to admit. With her signature tongue-in-cheek humor and those delightfully unsubtle “not for mom, dad, or grandma” references, her 2023 fruitcake EP is exactly what you’d expect: a playful mix of holiday riffs on her own hits, covers of beloved classics, and fresh originals. The result swings between sounding like a wild night fueled by spiked eggnog and a soft, intimate moment shared under the mistletoe.
Christmas & Chill by Ariana Grande
Just when you think Christmas couldn’t get any sexier or smoother, Ariana sweeps in with vocals that impress and move you in equal measure. Yes, her original “Santa Tell Me” is already a certified staple in the holiday canon, but her 2015 EP Christmas & Chill is its own gift, packed with fresh tracks perfect for setting the mood, whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together with friends or spending the night with someone special. After all, as she reminds us:“‘’Tis the season for some love giving.”
A Very Laufey Holiday by Laufey
Fan of Nat King Cole or Bublé? Laufey is well on her way to becoming the next jazzy Christmas great to carry that torch. A Very Laufey Holiday (2025) feels like sipping hot chocolate and swapping stories by the fireplace—admittedly more of a Manila daydream, but you get the idea. Settle in with her velvety renditions of “Winter Wonderland” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” or savor her songwriter brilliance in the original track “Christmas Magic.” And those big-band, winter-in-New-York horns? Immaculate.
Wrapped In Red by Kelly Clarkson
We can’t make a Christmas playlist without Kelly Clarkson, not when she’s given us an entire album of, quite frankly, ingenious holiday bops. Expect stellar covers (Clarkson has a way of turning everything she sings into pure magic), but fans of her 2013 album already know the real gems: “Wrapped in Red” and the ever-joyful “Underneath the Tree.” Go ahead, twirl and lip sync your heart out around the living room—no one’s judging.
Sleigher by Ben Folds
Ben Folds’ 2024 album Sleigher feels like the quiet midnight of Christmas Eve, more pensive and dreamlike than the other picks on this list, but then again, it’s Ben Folds. Soak up the gentle honesty of his piano work and vocals as you gaze out the window and into the December city lights. And it’s not all slow beats, either: the electric, off-kilter “Xmas Aye Eye” brings a splash of playful weirdness to any noche buena dance party.
“Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” by Bleachers
And since we’re on the topic of somber Christmas picks, it feels right to slide into a single by Bleachers (a.k.a. the endlessly talented musician-producer Jack Antonoff). “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” is for all the sad boys picturing themselves trudging through the snow, replaying everything that fell apart over the past year. It’s cathartic, it’s shimmering, and it’s what you’d want from a holiday breakup track, one that George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley would almost certainly nod at in approval (but we’ll still have “Last Christmas” on repeat).
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“The Christmas Song” by Olivia Dean
It feels only fitting to close the list with Olivia Dean, who we suspect could take home the 2026 Grammy for Best New Artist. 2025 was undeniably her year, and with a voice this soulful and warm, she was born to sing Mel Tormé and Bob Wells’ classic “The Christmas Song” (immortalized by Nat King Cole)—and sing it she does. End the night with this track, and you’ll soon be drifting into a sweet, serene Christmas morning.
