Billboard has recently compiled a list of the top Christmas songs of the 21st century, highlighting how music remains one of the most beloved aspects of the holiday season. While classics from earlier decades — including Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and Andy Williams’ “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” — continue to dominate festive playlists, the publication notes that the new millennium has produced its own crop of seasonal favourites.
The list spans chart-toppers and hidden gems alike, featuring tracks that are already on their way to becoming modern classics alongside timeless hits such as Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, which remain perennial favourites. According to Billboard, the 21st century has brought a diverse mix of holiday music, from high-energy tracks by artists like Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber that pump through shopping malls, to more understated offerings from Sufjan Stevens, Norah Jones and Colbie Caillat that showcase the season’s reflective and versatile side.
The list demonstrates that whether through upbeat anthems or gentle, contemplative songs, the tradition of celebrating Christmas through music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Billboard’s compilation of the top modern festive tunes underlines how artists over the past 25 years have tied their own unique bows on the holiday season, creating songs that are poised to join the ranks of enduring seasonal favourites.
30. Sufjan Stevens, “Lumberjack Christmas”
Year: 2006
29. !!!, “And Anyway It’s Christmas”
Year: 2013
28. Lea Michelle, “Christmas in New York”
Year: 2019
27. Norah Jones, “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”
Year: 2021
26. Kylie Minogue, “Every Day’s Like Christmas”
Year: 2015
25. Straight No Chaser feat. Kristen Bell, “Text Me Merry Christmas”
Year: 2014
24. V, “Christmas Tree”
Year: 2021
23. Kelly Clarkson & Brett Eldridge, “Under the Mistletoe”
Year: 2020
22. Jimmy Fallon & Meghan Trainor, “Wrap Me Up”
Year: 2023
21. Colbie Caillat, “Christmas in the Sand”
Year: 2012
20. Katy Perry, “Cozy Little Christmas”
Year: 2018
19. Dan + Shay, “Take Me Home for Christmas”
Year: 2020
18. Coldplay, “Christmas Lights”
Year: 2010
17. Sabrina Carpenter, “A Nonsense Christmas”
Year: 2022
16. Bleachers, “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call”
Year: 2024
15. Kacey Musgraves, “Christmas Makes Me Cry”
Year: 2016
14. Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas”
Year: 2017
13. Jonas Brothers, “Like It’s Christmas”
Year: 2019
12. Leona Lewis, “One More Sleep”
Year: 2013
11. Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles, “Winter Song”
Year: 2008
10. John Legend, “You Deserve It All”
Year: 2021
9. Taylor Swift, “Christmas Tree Farm”
Year: 2019
8. Pentatonix, “That’s Christmas to Me”
Year: 2014
7. Michael Bublé, “Cold December Night”
Year: 2011
6. Mariah Carey, “Oh Santa!”
Year: 2010
5. Train, “Shake Up Christmas”
Year: 2010
4. Justin Bieber, “Mistletoe”
Year: 2011
3. Sia, “Snowman”
Year: 2017
2. Ariana Grande, “Santa Tell Me”
Year: 2014
1. Kelly Clarkson, “Underneath the Tree”
Year: 2013
