Best New Christmas Songs of 2024: Staff Picks

After performing it with Zane Lowe at Apple A Carpool Karaoke ChristmasLady Gaga surprisingly released her soulful rock cover of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” to streaming services, adding to a collection of famous renditions of the classic by artists and acts like Bruce Springsteen, the Jackson 5 and more.

Nigerian star Pheelz gave “Twelve Days of Christmas” a modern Afrobeats twist for Apple Music’s exclusive Carols Covered playlist.

Apple’s Carols Covered playlist also features a beautiful cover of RAYE’s “O Holy Night,” whose effortless vibrato and gospel harmonies transport you to church.

German pop-punk rebel Nina Hagen resurfaced this holiday season to cover “Silent Night” in her native language – in which the original ode was written – combining peaceful lyrics with lively drums and a groovy bassline.

Written and recorded for Netflix This Christmas“Under the Tree” features Sheeran’s passionate vocals and swelling strings as he longs for a lost love over the holidays.

As a flagship artist introducing younger generations to jazz, it was only right for Laufeny to apply her lavish skills to Christmas music. The Icelandic musician sounds great on all four tracks from her new EP. A very mild holidaybut their orchestral cover of “Santa Baby” is particularly warm and cozy.

Brett Eldrege’s gentle vocals sound exactly as the title “Warm and Cozy” suggests. The upbeat track is one of eight songs on the singer-songwriter’s new album. Merry Christmas (Welcome to the family).

Driven by a slap bass, saxophone and bright harmonies, Jimmy Fallon and the Jonas Brothers’ collaboration “Holiday” is a funky highlight from the late-night host’s 2024 release Christmas spice Album. The project also includes tracks with Meghan Trainor, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion, among others.

Flirtatious and bold, Dan + Shay pays tribute to one of the most underappreciated Christmas characters in “Parson Brown”: the clergyman in “Winter Wonderland” who asks, “Are you married?” The tongue-in-cheek track appears on the country duo’s festive 2024 album . It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album.

The five voices of Pentatonix unite with the two voices behind A Great Big World in a moving ballad that celebrates the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year. Expect soulful piano, swelling strings, and beautiful harmonies when you press play, and don’t be afraid to sing it loud for all to hear.

Calum Scott and Christina Perri will transport you to aching nostalgia with “Kid at Christmas,” in which the duet partners’ voices rise over emotional piano and sing about the magic of the holidays that stems from childhood.

Using voice isolation technology, the estate of the late Bing Crosby was able to transform an old recording into a duet with one of the world’s biggest modern pop stars: V of BTS. The result was a remastered version of one of music’s most enduring Christmas classics, with the silky voices of the two cross-generational stars forming a perfect tandem.

Jennifer Hudson’s stunning personality and powerful vocals shine through in this soulful ode to one of the biggest stressors of the holiday season: holiday shopping. The original song is one of 16 tracks on the singer’s brand new album. The gift of love.

On “Evergreen,” the members of Little Big Town harmonize over plucked guitar, poetically positing that our memories of departed loved ones are forever, even if those people are no longer here with us. The track is one of 11 on the band’s 2024 Christmas album. The Christmas record.

In “Holidays,” Conan Gray reflects on the loss of youth, love, and innocence that gradually increases with each passing Christmas. “The years have passed, but you laugh just the same/When I see you on vacation,” the California native sings over delicate strings and haunting bell tones.

Saweetie’s “I Want You This Christmas” is the flirty holiday rap song that resembles a romantic Christmas fireplace. For anyone you want to meet under the mistletoe, this is the way to send it.

Both Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce get solo moments to shine on the former’s original Christmas tune, with each of the singers taking on a verse before their voices mingle in the chorus. Bublé also released a solo version of the track and one with Carlos Rivera.

Forget hippos and two front teeth. Megan Moroney knows exactly what she wants under her Christmas tree: a strapping cowboy. Please, Santa Claus, please.

Mt. Joy teamed up with Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce and Jordan Mailata for “Santa Drives an Astrovan,” a folksy “Jingle Bells” sample from The Philly Specials’ 2024 charity album. A special Christmas party in Philly.

Kelly Clarkson, one of the queens of contemporary Christmas music, returned with another holiday banger in 2024. The superstar’s vocals can be heard on the energetic “You for Christmas”, which can be heard on it As Christmas approaches…again Album.

FIFTY FIFTY combine fun K-pop with chic retro jazz vibes in “Naughty or Nice,” a tempo-changing banger that finds the girl group taking a page from Santa’s book and asking the eternal question: Are you naughty or nice?

Only GloRilla and Kehlani could make a Christmas song that was both beautiful and evil at the same time. The two women’s energies complement each other perfectly in this dynamic track, as the Memphis rapper’s boastful bars contrast with the R&B singer’s melodic refrain: “Nothing compares to the love of the holiday season.”

For anyone feeling more like a Grinch or Scrooge when it comes to the 2024 holidays, Jessie Reyez’s angry new post-breakup anthem cathartically disavows parties, mistletoe, Santa Claus, and everything else about the season.

Bleachers shared the melancholic rock song “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” in November for “anyone who experiences the holidays as a time to free themselves from those who have wronged them,” wrote frontman Jack Antonoff on the day of its release on Instagram.

Coco Jones breathed new R&B-pop life into the Christmas music canon Coco by the fireplacea four-pronged holiday project. Standout track “Santa Is Me” is all about indulging in some well-deserved self-love and retail therapy around the holidays, with the singer’s silky voice gliding over a punchy drum beat and lush harmonies as she sings, “If I don.” “I have no one, I am enough for myself.”