[2026] Christmas songs in Western music: from new hits to hall-of-fame classics

Christmas MorningEric Benét

Eric Benét – “Christmas Morning” (Official Visualizer Video)

Eric Benét is a powerhouse singer rooted in R&B and soul with a Grammy nomination to his name.

Over his long career, he has produced numerous hits, including his 1999 duet with Tamia, “Spend My Life with You,” which reached No.

1 on the R&B chart.

This song is an original track included on his first holiday album, “It’s Christmas,” released in October 2025.

It features the couple’s two younger daughters, Lucia and Luna, allowing the family’s voices to carry the song’s emotion.

Centered on gentle piano-based arrangements, the smooth, R&B-inflected melody is soothing, favoring a quiet sense of happiness over flashy exuberance.

It’s a track that evokes warm moments with family and the serenity of a peaceful Christmas morning—highly recommended for anyone who wants to spend unhurried time with someone special.

Sugar CookieMickey Guyton

Mickey Guyton – Sugar Cookie (Official Audio Video)

Hailing from Texas, Mickey Guyton is a singer-songwriter who has made history in the world of country music.

With her 2021 album “Remember Her Name,” she achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first Black female solo artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the Country Album category.

From her holiday album “Feels Like Christmas,” released in October 2025, we introduce an original Christmas number.

Inspired by classic winter sweets, the song celebrates the warmth of spending time with someone special.

Its sweet, cute world conjures images of baking treats with a loved one, while lively country-pop grooves blend seamlessly with the sparkling embellishments unique to the holiday season.

It’s the perfect track for baking-session background music or to bring cheer to a Christmas party.

wishlistNatalie Jane

Natalie Jane – wishlist (pseudo video)

Singer-songwriter Natalie Jane, who commands an overwhelming presence on TikTok and was selected for the Recording Academy’s “25 Rising Artists To Watch” in 2024, hails from New Jersey and has rapidly grown her fanbase with powerful vocals and melodies that deliver emotion directly.

This track is the original song that closes her first Christmas EP, released in November 2025.

As the title suggests, it overlays the motif of a holiday “wish list” with the feelings of romance, asking whether what one truly longs for is a present—or the presence of someone special.

To coincide with the release, she performed at tree-lighting ceremonies in Los Angeles and Detroit, offering seasonally rich performances.

It’s a song that gently warms the heart just as the city begins to sparkle—please enjoy.

Driving Home For ChristmasChris Rea

Chris Rea ~ Driving Home For Christmas (1986)

A gem of a number that brightens the winter season.

It sets to a warm melody the feelings of a driver heading home to family for Christmas along snow-covered roads.

Recorded in 1986, the song was born from Chris Rea’s own experience.

Caught in a traffic jam, he drew inspiration from the expressions of the drivers around him.

Although the track didn’t attract much attention upon its initial release, over the years it has become a beloved classic.

During the Christmas season, it is cherished as a heartwarming number that resonates with those making their way back to their families and loved ones.

The Christmas SongNat King Cole

Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song” (1961)

In Japan, Christmas tends to feature Western pop songs from the 1980s onward.

While many post-1980s tracks are upbeat and catchy, the classics from the 1960s hold their own.

The Christmas Song, composed in 1944, is a jazz standard that has been covered by many jazz vocalists.

This time, it’s Nat King Cole’s version.

His rendition, with his warm, resonant vocals, makes the piece gentler and imbues it with a touch of sensuality.

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Ryo

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Merry ChristmasEd Sheeran & Elton John

Ed Sheeran & Elton John – Merry Christmas [Official Video]

A cross-generational Christmas song featuring the big-name collaboration of Ed Sheeran and Elton John.

From its simple title to the sound of bells and chimes and a classic chord progression, it’s packed with elements that heighten the Christmas spirit.

The two have reportedly been friends for over a decade, and you can feel that deep friendship in the peaceful atmosphere.

The guitar and piano tones are, as expected, superb, each exuding an overwhelming presence.

Wrapped in gentle, heartwarming vocals that resonate worldwide, enjoy the ultimate Christmas feeling.

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hiyori

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One I’ve Been MissingLittle Mix

Little Mix – One I’ve Been Missing (Lyric Video)

The first Christmas song by Little Mix, a four-member girl group formed in the UK in 2011.

Layered beautiful vocals ride over a gentle waltz-like three-beat rhythm, creating a track that conveys both strength and delicacy.

It’s a song that evokes a calm, quiet night—offering a different vibe from the typical lively Christmas atmosphere.

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Hoshino Takashi

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