The Christmas holiday season is here, and it's time to refresh your Christmas playlist with some modern hits. Today, we will list 20 modern Christmas songs and pop hits that perfectly blend the festive spirit with contemporary vibes and help you create the best modern Christmas songs playlist.
Whether you're hosting a holiday party, cozying up by the fire, or wrapping presents, this curated playlist will set the perfect mood and keep your playlist feeling fresh and festive. In addition, we will share a practical tip with you to get Christmas songs MP3 downloads and keep them forever.
Top 20 Best Modern Christmas Songs and Pop Hits
Here is the list of the top 20 best modern Christmas songs playlist. It features the biggest viral hits and radio favorites from the modern era, which is perfect to refresh your music queue.
1. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a timeless holiday classic that has become a staple of the festive season. It is the bridge between the classics and the modern era. It was released in 1994 as a part of the album "Merry Christmas". This song is a joyful and upbeat celebration of love and togetherness. Mariah Carey's soulful vocals and the song's festive instrumentation make it a perfect addition to any modern Christmas playlist. And it continues to be a favorite for listeners of all ages during the holiday season.
▶ Play Song: All I Want for Christmas Is You
View also: How to Download 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Song to MP3
2. "DJ Play a Christmas Song" by Cher
It is a song by the renowned American singer and actress Cher, released as the lead single of her first-ever album "Christmas". This modern Christmas song lyrics express a desire to dance all night long to a Christmas tune, creating a festive and celebratory atmosphere. Cher's soulful vocals and the song's lively rhythm make it a great choice for adding a contemporary flair to holiday music collections.
▶ Play Song: DJ Play a Christmas Song
3. "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson
Released in 2013, this song has slowly climbed the charts to become a staple of modern Christmases. Driven by a Wall of Sound production style reminiscent of the 60s but with a distinctly modern vocal power, this track is pure serotonin. It is impossible to sit still when the saxophone solo hits. It is the perfect opener for any party playlist to get the energy up immediately.
▶ Play Song: Underneath the Tree
4. "Groovy Xmas" by The Linda Lindas
"Groovy Xmas" is a song by The Linda Lindas, an all-female rock band. The song is a fun and upbeat holiday tune that combines rock and punk elements with catchy melodies. It was released in 2021 as part of the band's holiday music collection. The modern jazz Christmas song lyrics express the band's excitement for the holiday season and the joy of spending time with loved ones.
If you are tired of polished pop production, this garage-rock sound is a welcome disruption. It is fun, loud, and captures the excitement of Christmas morning from a kid's perspective.
▶ Play Song: Groovy Xmas
5. "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande
It was released in 2014 and written by Grande, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Savan Kotecha. The song became a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries and peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become a modern-day Christmas classic and is considered one of Grande's most popular modern Christmas songs.
The lyrics offer a relatable modern take on holiday romance, hesitating to fall in love to avoid heartbreak by the New Year. With its catchy hook and Ariana's signature vocal runs, it appeals to younger generations who want their Christmas music to sound like their favorite top 40 radio hits.
▶ Play Song: Santa Tell Me
View also: How to Download Ariana Grande Songs to MP3
6. "Merry Christmas" by Ed Sheeran & Elton John
This 2021 release pays homage to classic British holiday songs while standing firmly on its own as a modern favorite. The video and lyrics are packed with holiday clichés, but done with a wink and a smile. It is festive, grand, and designed to be sung along to with a group of friends holding drinks. It bridges the gap between the classic Elton John style and Ed Sheeran's acoustic pop.
▶ Play Song: Merry Christmas
7. "Snowman" by Sia
This track became a massive viral sensation on TikTok years after its release, proving its staying power. "Snowman" ditches the sleigh bells for a mid-tempo, piano-driven ballad that feels sophisticated and slightly melancholic. Sia's unique vocals paint a picture of a romance melting away, using the clever metaphor of a snowman. It is perfect for those cozy, quiet moments by the fire when you want something atmospheric rather than explosive.
▶ Play Song: Snowman
8. "Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift
It was produced by Swift and English musician Jimmy Napes. The song's lyrics reflect on Swift's childhood memories of growing up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. It was released in 2019 as part of Swift's holiday music collection. The song is known for its nostalgic and festive vibe and it starts with a slow, cinematic intro before bursting into a swinging, upbeat pop song. It is a fantastic storytelling track that transports listeners to a specific place and time, making it stand out among generic "I love Santa" songs.
▶ Play Song: Christmas Tree Farm
View also: How to Download Taylor Swift Songs
9. "Bring Me Love" by John Legend
Known for his soulful voice, John Legend brings his signature style to this holiday track, creating a festive and heartwarming atmosphere. The song "Bring Me Love" captures the essence of the holiday season, expressing the desire for love and togetherness during Christmas. With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, it has become a popular addition to modern Christmas playlists.
▶ Play Song: Bring Me Love
10. "Glittery" by Kacey Musgraves ft. Troye Sivan
Kacey Musgraves has become the queen of modern aesthetic Christmas. "Glittery" is a soft, acoustic-pop track that feels warm and intimate. The collaboration with Troye Sivan adds a modern pop texture. It is not about loud celebration; it is about the sparkle of the season and the feeling of being close to someone. It is subtle, sweet, and incredibly easy on the ears.
▶ Play Song: Glittery
11. "Holiday" by Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X took a futuristic approach with "Holiday". Set in a sci-fi North Pole, this hip-hop track breaks all the traditional rules of Christmas music. With a heavy bassline and witty lyrics, it appeals to fans of rap and pop who usually skip holiday music entirely. It is bold, different, and undeniably modern.
▶ Play Song: Holiday
12. "Candy Cane Lane" by Sia
Sia dominates the modern holiday scene for a reason. "Candy Cane Lane" is an earworm that uses sleigh bells as a primary percussion instrument. It is incredibly bright and colorful, evoking images of over-the-top Christmas light displays. It is a favorite for retail playlists and commercials because it radiates pure, unadulterated joy.
▶ Play Song: Candy Cane Lane
13. "Make It To Christmas" by Alessia Cara
Many modern Christmas songs are just too happy, but Alessia Cara captures the anxiety of the season. This song is about a relationship on the rocks and the desperate hope to just "make it" through the holidays without breaking up. The 80s-inspired synth-pop beat contrasts with the anxious lyrics, creating a song that you can dance to even if you are feeling a bit blue. It is a relatable, real take on the holiday stress.
▶ Play Song: Make It To Christmas
14. "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" by Gwen Stefani ft. Blake Shelton
This duet combines Stefani's pop-punk energy with Shelton's country twang. The result is a retro-inspired, high-energy track that feels like a modern successor to upbeat Motown holiday songs. The chemistry is palpable, and the brass section drives the song forward with relentless cheer. It's a happy, optimistic love song that works for couples and families alike.
▶ Play Song: You Make It Feel Like Christmas
15. "Hallelujah" by Pentatonix
While the song itself is a classic by Leonard Cohen, the Pentatonix version is the definitive modern interpretation. Their a cappella arrangement became a viral phenomenon, showcasing incredible vocal harmonies without a single instrument. This version is hauntingly beautiful and brings a reverent, spiritual tone to a modern playlist. It is ideal for dinner parties or winding down the evening.
▶ Play Song: Hallelujah
16. "Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber
The song carries a festive and romantic theme, capturing the essence of the holiday season. With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, "Mistletoe" has become a holiday classic for many Gen Z fans around the world. It explores the themes of love, togetherness, and the joy of being in the company of someone special during the Christmas season.
It is laid back, romantic, and incredibly catchy. "Mistletoe" proved that Christmas music could sound like a summer hit and still work. It remains one of the most streamed holiday songs globally every December.
▶ Play Song: Mistletoe
View also: Download MP3 Justin Bieber Songs
17. "Santa's Coming for Us" by Sia
Unlike "Snowman", this track is chaotic, jazzy, and fast-paced. It sounds like a frantic last-minute shopping trip in the best way possible. The scat-singing and complex rhythms make it interesting to listen to, ensuring your playlist never feels boring or repetitive.
▶ Play Song: Santa's Coming for Us
18. "One More Sleep" by Leona Lewis
Released in 2013, this song channels the Motown sound of the 60s but with Leona Lewis's powerhouse modern vocals. It builds anticipation for the big day, counting down the sleeps. It is catchy, light, and showcases incredible vocal talent. It has slowly become a UK standard during December, fitting in perfectly alongside Mariah Carey.
▶ Play Song: One More Sleep
19. "Cozy Little Christmas" by Katy Perry
Katy Perry strips away the grandeur of commercial Christmas in this quirky and fun track. The lyrics focus on how love is more important than gifts, claiming "I don't need diamonds, no sparkly things". The production is playful and bouncy, reflecting Perry's colorful personality. It is a great palate cleanser in a playlist, offering a fun, non-serious vibe that contrasts well with heavier ballads.
▶ Play Song: Cozy Little Christmas
20. "Like It's Christmas" by Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers brought their funk-pop revival sound to the holidays with this upbeat track. It features the clap-along rhythm and falsettos that made their comeback so successful. The song is about how being with the right person makes every day feel like December 25th. It is lighthearted, fun, and devoid of the heavy sentimentality that drags down older carols. Add this to your Christmas driving playlist for immediate good vibes.
▶ Play Song: Like It's Christmas
How to Get Top 20 Christmas Songs MP3 Downloads and Keep Forever
The modern Christmas songs provided above are from Tidal streaming music service. You can add them to your Tidal library and listen to them with high-fidelity quality. But there are limitations. It is that you need to connect to an internet connection to listen to music all the time. Besides, once you cancel your Tidal subscription, you will lose your curated Christmas playlist.
If you want to keep the best modern Christmas songs locally and permanently, AudFree Tidal Music Converter is the right choice. Using this tool, you can save Tidal Christmas tunes on your local device for frequent access. Besides, you can work on every element to customize the music output for better quality.
You can convert any Tidal music to Lossless, MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4B, and M4A file formats. We suggest MP3, a universal audio format. With locally converted files, you can play them on the desired platform as per your requirement. The conversion process takes place at a stable rate, and you will be able to organize the output files.
See also: How to Convert Tidal Songs to MP3
The Remarkable Features
• Easily extract and convert Tidal Christmas songs to any desired common file format for further use.
• During the conversion process, you can customize some of the crucial parameters like bit rate, sample rate, etc.
• This tool retains the metadata information and allows you to personalize the tags associated with the music tracks.
• User-friendly environment to carry out the desired task effortlessly.
How to Download Best Modern Christmas Songs as MP3
- Step 1Download and install the AudFree program
- Go to the official webpage of AudFree Tidal Music Converter software and download the tool as per your computer's OS version. You can either go for Windows or Mac depending on your needs. Then, open it and register with this program using the 'Licensed Email' and 'Registration Code'.
- Step 2Load Tidal modern Christmas songs
- Find the desired tracks from the displayed playlist. Then, hit the '+' icon and tap the 'Add to list' button to add modern Christmas tracks to AudFree tool.
- Step 3Customize the Tidal conversion parameters
- Soon after the successful completion of the favorite track loaded into the AudFree Tidal Music Converter, you must press the three lines 'Menu' icon at the top right side of the screen. From the pop-up screen, click 'Preferences' -> 'Conversion' bar to change the file format, sample rate, bit rate, etc. according to your needs and save it by hitting the 'OK' button.
- Step 4 Download Christmas songs from Tidal as MP3
- When all the parameters are set, the next step is to press the 'Convert' button available of the 'Converting' screen. Please wait until the conversion process completes successfully. The converted Tidal Christmas songs are now available on your local drive. You can play them offline without any interruptions.
- Video GuideDownload Tidal Modern Christmas Music
- See how to download your favorite Tidal Christmas music in the video below. If you find the best modern Christmas songs playlist, you also can try to save it locally for free playback.
Bonus Tips: Keep Modern Christmas Playlist Forever from Other Music Services
If you prefer to listen these modern Christmas songs via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc., then you can keep them on your device forever with the help of AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. It supports downloading music from major streaming music platforms with lossless quality as well.
FAQs about Modern Christmas Songs
What Does Modern Christmas Song Mean?
In general, a modern Christmas song is considered anything released after the year 2000, specifically focusing on the pop, R&B, and country hits of the last 10-15 years. These tracks often feature contemporary production techniques.
Are There Modern Christmas Songs by Female Artists?
Yes. They are "Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift, "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey.
Who Is the Queen of Modern Christmas Music?
It would be artists like Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree" is widely considered the most successful new Christmas standard of the 21st century.
In Conclusion
This holiday season, spice up your playlist with the best modern Christmas songs. From Mariah Carey's timeless hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to Taylor Swift's nostalgic "Christmas Tree Farm", there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your loved ones, turn up the volume, and let the magic of these Christmas tracks fill your home with cheer. BTW, if you wanna get top 20 Christmas songs MP3 downloads that are recommended in this article, you can use AudFree Tidal Music Converter.
Miley Swift
Staff Editor
