The 20 greatest Christmas pop songs from 21st century

Leave it to Ariana Grande to knock it out of the park with a Christmas original (we’re still waiting on the full Christmas album - the EP wasn’t enough). Santa Tell Me is an absolute banger, and if it weren’t about Christmas, it would’ve been a chart-topper. 

Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas album was fantastic, and she produced more than a couple of good originals (Wrapped in Red gets an honorable mention). Clarkson’s powerhouse vocals are on full display in this track, and it’ll get you in the Christmas spirit within the first measure. 

The general public forgets that Justin Bieber recorded a modern classic Christmas album when he was just a teenager, and it’s a travesty. He had the perfect combination of catchy originals and recordings of favorite hits, with Mistletoe being a standout track. 

Though a little trite, You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton is too spirited not to love. The unexpected couple teamed up for an unexpected Christmas hit, and their admiration for one another is felt throughout the song. 

Tori Kelly did not get the recognition she deserved for her 2020 Christmas album, and we’re here to write that wrong with her inclusion on this list. 25th features her smooth voice and signature runs amid a bouncy melody that’s wholly holiday. It’s fantastic. 

Most fans of Sia’s holiday record would likely choose Snowman as her best song, but they’re wrong. Santa’s Coming For Us is a perfect Christmas song in every way. It’s cheerful, anticipatory, and magical. It’s a song that reminds you how many good modern Christmas songs there are. 

One More Sleep by Leona Lewis is so good that it sounds like it was written long ago. It’s got that indescribable enduring quality that lets you know it’s going to be just as fun to listen to in a couple of decades as it is today. 

Christmas Tree Farm was written during Taylor Swift’s Lover era, and it’s quite apparent when listening. It’s got the cadence and bounce that only a song written and sung by someone totally in love can have. And in true Swift fashion, it’s got unique lyrics that only she would write. 

Yes, there are plenty of songs comparing lovers to Christmas, but Like It’s Christmas by Jonas Brothers is among the best. It’s got the sound of the Jonas Brothers’ first era of music with the vocal maturity they’re able to provide now, all around solid track. 

The only thing negative we have to say about Santa, Can’t You Hear Me by Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande is that these two have only collaborated for this one song. We love it, but we’d also love a non-Christmas tune from this duo. 

Mr. Christmas himself, it would’ve been shocking to have had a list of the best modern Christmas songs without including Michael Bublé. From his inimitable 2011 album simply titled Christmas, Cold December Night is the soft yet splendid tune we all need to hear during the holiday season. 

Two of the U.K.’s finest, Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s original Christmas tune, have a classic sound and hopeful lyrics. It describes what sounds like a perfect Christmas celebration. 10/10 in all areas. 

Kacey Musgraves’ voice is so beautiful that it’d be impossible for her to record a bad song. Glittery is a unique take on Christmas tunes, but it totally works. And Troye Sivan's feature is a natural fit, adding to the song’s relaxed vibe. 

If there’s one thing we can expect from Mariah Carey, it’s a good Christmas song. Though droves of people are still regularly listening to All I Want for Christmas Is You, Carey gave the world another epic Christmas song, and she enlisted the help of two other unreal vocalists for it. The whistle notes at the end? Iconic. 

Country artists are delivering good original Christmas songs, too, and Glow by Brett Eldredge is proof. Go ahead and listen to this song by way of his album of the same name. 

Ava Max hasn’t had many hits as it stands, but she’s a talented vocalist who churned out a hit with Christmas Without You. Someone on her team also deserves credit for the great cover art that accompanies this track. 

Most of us probably associate this song with Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, but Faith Hill recorded a version for the movie, too (it’s played during the end credits). Fun fact: this Christmas song was written by none other than the queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey. 

Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream era was spiritually festive, so it’s no surprise that she’s got a great Christmas song. Cozy Little Christmas is a fun tune that’ll make you nod along even if you’ve never heard it before. 

Pentatonix singlehandedly made a capella music popular, and for that alone they deserve recognition. But beyond that, That’s Christmas to Me is a beautiful modern Christmas song. 

Sam Smith’s Christmas output is probably best defined by their recording of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and rightfully so. It’s beautiful. But so is their original tune, Night Before Christmas. If you’ve never listened before, prepare to fall in love (with the song and probably another person, too).