Welcome to the most festive time of the year when offices transform into winter wonderlands and colleagues come together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Planning the perfect office Christmas party is great fun and one of the best bits is creating the best playlist. In this blog, we present you with the ultimate work Christmas party playlist, filled with festive songs from a range of decades and moods that’ll create a fantastic atmosphere for your team.
1. The Classic Jingles (1940s-1960s)
• Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms (1957)
• Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (1958)
• Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin (1959)
• Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin (1959)
• It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams (1963)
Why these songs are perfect: The classics from the 1940s to the 1960s continue to be holiday favourites for everyone looking for Christmas party ideas. These tunes like Dean Martin's Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and Andy Williams' It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year will have your colleagues tapping their feet and spreading the holiday cheer even further.
2. The Groovy 70s and 80s (1970s-1980s)
• Last Christmas - Wham! (1984)
• Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney (1979)
• Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen (1975)
• Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano (1970)
• Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid (1984)
Why these songs are perfect: The 70s and 80s brought us not only great fashion but also timeless Christmas hits that we still love to this day. Feliz Navidad adds an international flair to the party, and Do They Know It's Christmas? brings a heart-warming message while getting everyone into the groove of giving. And who can resist a bit of Wham!?
3. Modern Merry Melodies (1990s-2000s)
• All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (1994)
• Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - *NSYNC (1998)
• Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) - The Darkness (2003)
• Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson (2013)
• Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande (2014)
Why these songs are perfect: These additions to the modern merry melodies section will have your colleagues singing along to Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You and rocking out to the guitars of Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) by the Darkness while enjoying the festive charm of Ariana Grande's Santa Tell Me.
4. Festive Tunes for a Cosy Atmosphere
• The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Nat King Cole (1961)
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra (1957)
• White Christmas- Bing Crosby (1942)
• Silent Night - Pentatonix (2014)
• Baby, It's Cold Outside - Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé (2014)
Why these songs are perfect: For a more intimate and cosy atmosphere for Hull Christmas parties or any location, Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song and Bing Crosby's White Christmas are perfectly complemented by the soothing harmonies of Pentatonix's Silent Night and the playful duet of Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé in Baby, It's Cold Outside.
5. Unforgettable Instruments
• Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson (1948)
• Carol of the Bells - Mykola Leontovych (1914)
• The Nutcracker Suite - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1892)
• Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio (1965)
• O Holy Night - Mannheim Steamroller (1984)
Why these songs are perfect: To keep the instrumental magic going, consider adding the enchanting Christmas Time Is Here from A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio and the majestic rendition of O Holy Night by Mannheim Steamroller, creating a magical and enchanting backdrop for your work Christmas party.
6. Yuletide Cheer from the 2000s to Today
• My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears (2000)
• Christmas Lights - Coldplay (2010)
• It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Michael Bublé (2011)
• Mistletoe - Justin Bieber (2011)
• Santa's Coming for Us - Sia (2017)
Why these songs are perfect: The 2000s to present-day have brought us a fresh wave of holiday tunes that are sure to lift everyone's spirits. Michael Bublé's smooth and soulful voice in It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas sets the festive mood just right. Sia's playful and catchy Santa's Coming for Us brings a modern and quirky twist to the traditional Christmas sound. Justin Bieber's Mistletoe adds a youthful charm, while Coldplay's Christmas Lights provides an ethereal ambiance perfect for moments of reflection.
7. Dance and Disco Christmas Hits
• Disco Santa Claus - Les Brown & His Band of Renown (1976)
• Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses (1981)
• Step into Christmas - Elton John (1973)
• I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard (1983)
• 8 Days of Christmas - Destiny's Child (1999)
Why these songs are perfect: Whether you're having a Manchester Christmas party or celebrating in another top city, keep the party going, sprinkle some disco and dance tunes into the mix. Disco Santa Claus adds a funky and groovy vibe, while Christmas Wrapping brings a fun and playful energy to the dance floor. Elton John's Step into Christmas is a timeless and infectious anthem that will get everyone moving, and Destiny Child's 8 Days of Christmas adds a fresh and contemporary twist to a beloved classic.
8. Sentimental and Heartfelt Melodies
• I'll Be Home for Christmas - Bing Crosby (1943)
• Please Come Home for Christmas - Eagles (1978)
• Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1971)
• Where Are You Christmas - Faith Hill (2000)
• Christmas Time - Christina Aguilera (2000)
Why these songs are perfect: Christmas is a time for reflection and love, and these sentimental melodies will tug at the heart-strings of your colleagues. Bing Crosby's iconic I'll Be Home for Christmas captures the emotions of those unable to be with their loved ones during the holidays. The Eagles' rendition of Please Come Home for Christmas delivers a soulful and poignant message. John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is a timeless call for peace and unity. Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas and Christina Aguilera's Christmas Time showcase the power and beauty of their voices, bringing a touch of magic to the celebration.
9. International Delights
• Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano (1970)
• Kalinka - Ivan Rebroff (1968)
•Betelehemu - The Westminster Choir (1977)
• Mele Kalikimaka - Bing Crosby (1950)
• Ding Dong Merrily on High - Rolf Løvland & Fionnuala Sherry (2004)
Why these songs are perfect: Embrace the multicultural spirit of Christmas with international holiday tunes. Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano spreads joy with its bilingual lyrics, while Kalinka by Ivan Rebroff showcases the beauty of Russian tradition. Betelehemu, an African carol, adds a mesmerising and rhythmic touch to the playlist. Bing Crosby's Mele Kalikimaka invites everyone to feel the warmth of a Hawaiian Christmas, and Ding Dong Merrily on High brings a touch of classical elegance from Norway's Secret Garden.
10. Joyous Jazz and Swing
• Zat You Santa Claus? - Louis Armstrong (1953)
• Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt (1953)
• Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong & The Commanders (1953)
• Boogie Woogie Santa Claus - Patti Page (1950)
• Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Lena Horne (1966)
Why these songs are perfect: Add a touch of timeless charm with jazzy and swingy tunes that will get everyone moving and grooving. Louis Armstrong's playful Zat You Santa Claus? and Cool Yule add a dash of humour to your Bournemouth office Christmas party, while Eartha Kitt's Santa Baby brings a sultry and sassy vibe. Patti Page's Boogie Woogie Santa Claus and Lena Horne's smooth Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! offer the perfect blend of energy and elegance.
Create the Best Work Christmas Party Playlist Now
With these songs, your work Christmas party playlist is now a complete and comprehensive selection of holiday cheer. From classic jingles to modern hits, dance beats to sentimental melodies and international delights to swinging jazz, this playlist will ensure that your work Christmas party is an unforgettable celebration of joy, unity and the magic of Christmas. May the festive spirit fill your workplace as you ring in the festive season together. Merry Christmas to you and your fantastic team!
