1. “Getting Ready for Christmas Day,” Paul Simon (2011)
As the title implies, this Paul Simon tune is the obvious place to start the party. The one-off Christmas song on his 2011 album “So Beautiful or So What” blends punchy, political themes with a folksy melody.
2. “A Great Big Sled,” the Killers and Toni Halliday (2006)
Not long after the Killers broke into the mainstream conversation with their now-classic album “Hot Fuss,” the Las Vegas group teamed up with Curve vocalist Toni Halliday to deliver the perfect rock song about the nostalgia of Christmastime. “I want to roll around like a kid in the snow,” the Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers sings.
3. “Christmas Caller,” Beach Bunny (2021)
If the movies “Love Actually” and “The Holiday” have taught us anything, it’s that yearning is a central part of Christmastime. All the Chicago alt-rock band’s lead singer Lili Trifilio wants for Christmas is for a past flame to give her a call.
4. “Lights On,” Tyler, the Creator feat. Ryan Beatty and Santigold (2018)
Tyler, the Creator cooked up a few tunes for the 2018 animated iteration of “The Grinch,” and apparently had some holiday cheer to spare. The genre-jumping artist partners with Santigold and Ryan Beatty for this catchy song about coming home for Christmas.
5. “Santa Stole My Lady,” Fitz and the Tantrums (2010)
Santa is one sly gentleman in this song from the neo-soul-turned-pop band, best known for songs like “Out of My League” and “HandClap.” “Santa Stole My Lady” is like the inverse of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” told from the father’s perspective.
6. “Vegetarian Christmas,” FEET (2019)
This alt-rock band’s Christmas song about swapping the Christmas ham for sprouts, gravy, and alternative meats is just as quirky as it is festive. Maybe grandma will get on board with a tofurkey for this year’s Christmas dinner.
7. “December Back 2 June,” Alicia Keys (2022)
Keys’s vocals are always top-tier, and this song from her holiday album “Santa Baby” is no exception. Much like the Christmas classic “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” Keys savors the toasty comfort of a relationship with her silky R&B.
8. “Lonely Christmas,” Now, Now (2019)
File this tune under “missing your ex-mas.” The Minnesota indie rock duo’s synth-laden holiday single pulls from the ambient pop sound of their critically acclaimed 2018 album, “Saved.”
9. “Wrap Me Up,” Jhené Aiko (2012)
Longtime fans of seven-time Grammy nominee Jhené Aiko first heard “Wrap Me Up” in 2012, when the R&B singer shared it to her Soundcloud as a duet with James Fauntleroy. She’s since re-released it as a solo tune, but the results are no less enchanting with Aiko at center stage.
10. “Ain’t Christmas,” Alexander 23 and Laufey (2022)
Berklee grad Laufey and Alexander 23 — a singer and producer for acts such as Olivia Rodrigo and Reneé Rapp — spin a sparse, heartstring-tugging holiday duet. “Please turn off Mariah, I’m not in the mood,” Alexander 23 laments. We’ve all been there.
11. “Always in the Season,” Pomplamoose (2010)
Pomplamoose have a vast repertoire of Christmas songs and covers, including their “Winter Wishes,” and “Christmas in Space” albums. A fine blend of pop and jazz influences, however, sets “Always in the Season” apart from the rest.
12. “White Winter Hymnal,” Fleet Foxes (2008)
Folk and jingly melodies come together on this tune from Fleet Foxes’ debut album — which isn’t a holiday record, although you wouldn’t know it from the sound of “White Winter Hymnal.”
13. “This Christmas I’m Coming Home,” Leon Bridges and Norah Jones (2025)
Not to be confused with Bridges’s 2015 song “Coming Home,” he and Jones trade verses and harmonize in this soulful ballad, which arrived in November. It’s a perfect duet to start wrapping up the night.
14. “We’re the Lucky Ones,” the Marías (2020)
This nostalgic song about getting through the year arrives wrapped in angelic vocals from María Zardoya, the Marías’ lead singer. It’s dreamy tunes like “We’re the Lucky Ones” that earned the LA band a nod for best new artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
15. “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call,” Bleachers (2024)
Bleachers’ usual bounce, courtesy of lead singer and Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff, is absent in this standalone single. Antonoff’s offering is a slight detour away from the holiday cheer, instead detailing an ill-fated relationship at Christmastime.
Isabella Bernstein can be reached at isabella.bernstein@globe.com.
