How to Create a Well-Curated Holiday Party Playlist for Your Event
The holiday season is in full swing, and nothing says happy holidays like the perfect festive gathering! Whether you're hosting a cozy family get-together, a lively office party, or an elegant holiday soirée, the right music is key to setting the mood. A well-curated holiday or Christmas playlist can make all the difference, bringing warmth, energy, and festive cheer to any celebration.
Know Your Audience
The first step to choosing the music for your holiday playlist is understanding who you’re playing it for. Consider the age range, personalities, and musical preferences of your guests.
Coworkers or professional settings may call for more neutral, widely-loved classics, or instrumental songs that create a festive backdrop without distracting from conversations.
Close friends might appreciate a playlist that reflects your shared history - throw in nostalgic tracks or songs tied to funny memories.
Family gatherings could benefit from multi-generational soundtracks. Mix Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra with Michael Bublé or Miley Cyrus to bridge the age gap.
Also, think about cultural or religious diversity in your group. Include a few tracks that honour different languages, like Feliz Navidad. Also, while Christmas music is a popular choice, there are several other celebrations taking place this time of year, like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Consider adding songs that represent those holidays to make everyone feel welcome.
Read our blog post for tips on adding unique music to your wedding or event.
Mix Holiday Classics with Modern Hits
While "Jingle Bell Rock,” “Last Christmas,” and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey are crowd-pleasers, too much of a good thing can feel stale. Balance your playlist by weaving in modern holiday hits, genre-crossing remixes, or even winter-themed songs that aren’t strictly Christmas songs or about the holidays.
Examples of modern holiday hits:
"Underneath the Tree" - Kelly Clarkson
“Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" - Justin Bieber
"Sleigh Ride" - Pentatonix
"Merry Christmas" - Ed Sheeran and Elton John
“Holiday” – Lil Nas X (for a fun twist!)
Wintery but non-holiday songs:
“Sweater Weather” – The Neighbourhood
“Let It Go” – from Frozen
“Walking in the Wind” – One Direction
"I'll Be Home" - Meghan Trainor
"Fairy Tale of New York" – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
"Back to December" - Taylor Swift
This approach keeps your playlist engaging and prevents listener fatigue, especially for longer gatherings.
Set the Right Mood
our playlist should reflect the tone of the event. Music can transform the vibe from cozy and intimate to vibrant and celebratory.
For a relaxed evening with wine and snacks, go for mellow tracks:
Acoustic or jazz covers of holiday favourites, like "Winter Wonderland" by Laufey
Lo-fi holiday remixes
Artists like Norah Jones or John Legend’s softer ballads
For a lively party, turn it up with:
High-energy tracks (holiday-themed or not)
Danceable remixes of classic carols by popular artists, like Katy Perry or Dua Lipa
Songs with strong beats to encourage movement, like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” or “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child
No matter what kind of party you’re hosting, the perfect playlist will bring the holiday spirit and keep your guests entertained all night long. So, press play, pour some eggnog, and let the holiday magic begin.
If you're planning a holiday soiree, we’d love to be part of it -get in touch!
