Christmas Day is almost here! And I know it can sometimes get repetitive listening to the same old classic Christmas songs on the radio. So why not mix it up in the most stagey way and weave some showtunes into your Christmas listening habits!
To spread a little holiday cheer, I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite Christmas songs from musicals (in no particular order). There’s a mix of movies and stage musicals, as well as upbeat songs and some more slower tempo ones. Scroll to the bottom for a link to the full playlist on Spotify – happy listening!
Sparklejollytwinklejingley – Elf: The Musical
Starting strong with my favourite Christmas song from a musical ever! It radiates absolute joy and really gets me excited for the holiday season. The perfect song to play whilst you’re putting up your Christmas decorations. I make sure to listen to it repeatedly every single year without fail.
“When a room is gloomy and its atmosphere has called it quits, then you must remember that December is a time for glitz”
White Christmas – Holiday Inn
Slowing down the tempo with an Irving Berlin classic and, as I found at recently at a pub quiz, the best selling Christmas song of all time. Even if you have never experienced a white Christmas, the imagery of it alone is truly magical.
“May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white”
A Place Called Home – A Christmas Carol
Maybe a bit of an obscure choice, but Alan Menken always deserves credit in everything he does. Christmas can be such a lonely time if you’ve lost the people you once used to spend it with. This is such a sad song where Ebeneezer Scrooge remembers the loved ones who are no longer in his life.
“To the place in my heart, where you’re always home”
Counting Down To Christmas – A Christmas Story: The Musical
That excitement of counting down to the big day is perfectly summarised in this one song. As Christmas musicals go, I feel like A Christmas Story is often overlooked. But Pasek and Paul has created a gorgeous score that definitely deserves your attention during the holiday season.
“It’s almost time to see the tree light up the town for Christmas. It’s thirty-four thousand, fifty-three minutes away”
Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher – Billy Elliot
A strange choice for the Christmas playlist, sure. But there’s a beautiful sense of community on display underneath the scathing lyrics directed at a certain former Prime Minister. The miner’s have been out striking for eight months and money is tight. Whilst their conditions are miserable, they still come together to try and make the best of it.
“Cos they’re privatising Santa this merry Christmas time”
When We’re Together – Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones. There’s no song that embraces that message more than this one from the Frozen spin-off short film ‘Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’. And the harmonies are to die for!
“When we’re together, it’s my favourite time of year”
Christmas Is My Favourite Time of Year – Catch Me If You Can
Did I just want to include Aaron Tveit on this list? Well, yeah obviously. I need to stay true to my brand. But also this song is a reminder that, for some people, Christmas can be a really lonely time if you don’t have anyone to spend it with.
“So if tomorrow Santa’s flown, the tree is down and you’re alone, I’m always here right by the phone”
Have Yourself A Merry Christmas – Meet Me In St. Louis
Not everyone realises that some of the most well-known Christmas classics actually originated in old musicals. This nostalgic song makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s exactly what you need on a cold day wrapped up with a hot chocolate sitting by the window.
“Faithful friends who are dear to us, will be near to us once more”
Where Are You Christmas – Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
One of my all time favourites! As this song tells us, Christmas isn’t about the gifts or pageantry we often all get caught up in. It’s about little moments with the ones we love, and getting to spend time with people who bring us happiness. That is the true joy of Christmas.
“The joy of Christmas stays here inside us, fills each and every heart with love”
Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun – A Christmas Story: The Musical
There’s no song that perfectly captures the excitement of a child at Christmas more than this one. Ralphie wants one toy more than anything in the world and he’s imagining how much fun he’s going to have if he gets it for Christmas. It makes you miss being a child!
“But it’s almost nearly getting close to counting down, the clock is set, don’t know how, don’t know who
But all I know’s I gotta get a Red Ryder Carbine, stock with a compass, Red Ryder Carbine action BB gun”
One More Sleep ’til Christmas – The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Now I don’t care much for the Muppet’s, but The Muppet’s Christmas Carol is hands down one of the best Christmas films ever (don’t fight me). The adaptation? Perfect. The songs? Bops. Michael Caine? Oscar worthy performance. Hearing Kermit sing about the joy of Christmas Eve warms my heart.
“There’s magic in the air this evening, magic in the air. The world is at her best, you know, when people love and care”
We Need A Little Christmas – Mame
Another Christmas classic, but this time a much needed uptempo one by Jerry Herman. Whilst many people have recorded this song, one of my absolute favourites (after the late great Angela Lansbury, of course) is the one Idina Menzel released the other year on her Christmas album.
“For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. It hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry”
Twelve Days to Christmas – She Loves Me
What a fun spin on the old classic Twelve Days of Christmas by turning the concept into a song where shoppers get more panicked the closer it gets to Christmas Day. The chaos is real!
“Why did we ever delay so long, who can recall? Some of the family may not get a Christmas gift at all!”
A Christmas Song – Elf: The Musical
Yes, that’s right, we’re coming full circle. We started with Elf, and we’re ending it with Elf. I had the pleasure of finally getting to see this on stage a few weeks ago. It’s such a fun, silly show. But at the same time, it had some beautiful songs like this one.
“Just sing a Christmas song, it’s like magic if things go wrong. Just spread some Christmas cheer, by singing loud for all to hear”
For easier listening, I’ve created a playlist (with some extra songs that didn’t make the cut above) on Spotify.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
What are your favourite Christmas songs from musicals? Let me know in the comments!