Create Your Perfect Holiday Party Playlist: Tips and Must-Have Songs (2024)

Know Your Audience

You’re the resident DJ for the party, so it’s essential to know what your guests like, too.

For a family event, some kid-friendly tunes from animated movies like Frozen or sing-along favorites like Last Christmas could be welcome.

For a work event, however, you might want to stick to a healthy assortment of popular standbys that generally appeal to everyone. Think about what you hear on Top 40 radio channels the last few months of the year, and you're sure to find some neutral winners there.

Create Dynamics

Regardless of the guest list, keeping the overall mood lighthearted is a safe bet.

However, a one-note vibe doesn’t typically make for a winning party atmosphere. Consider adding a mix of sentimental classics with upbeat hits and other lighthearted fare.

If you think of the playlist as the soundtrack to your party, you could consider creating a beginning, middle, and end.

Or, fluctuate between different genres and tempos for a fun mix of sounds that creates variety and a certain feel to the event.

Cover Songs? Yes, Please

Who doesn’t love a cover song? For those memorable group sing-along moments, a well-known cover performed by contemporary acts can be a powerful unifier.

You might also consider including the original and a newer cover for a fun contrast. Darlene Love's Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) is a staple of many people's holiday playlists, but Mariah Carey's version is a standout, too. Even U2 has a version, if that's what you're into.

Or, if you and your guests are into something a little more contemporary, Justin Beiber's The Little Drummer Boy is completely different from the version many of us know.

Honor the Classics

We all have certain songs in mind that conjure holiday season memories. A lot of these time-tested classics appear on the radio each year, in every store you step in for holiday shopping, at the movie theater—everywhere, really.

Like cover songs, including these familiar favorites can create impromptu sing-alongs and some warm, fuzzy moments, too.

Thoughts of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Claus is Comin' to Towncome to mind.

But Don't Snooze on Contemporary Hits

One mistake to avoid is overrunning your playlist with the age-old holiday classics. You don’t want to be a one-note wonder.Holiday-themed contemporary tunes from popular artists can strike an appealing balance between old and new.

Some songs venture into covers of Christmas classics, but artists like Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, The Jonas Brothers, and Ne-Yo all offer modern takes on holiday tunes.

Think Outside the Christmas Box

Don’t forget to consider non-Christmas songs for your holiday playlist. You’re hosting a party; why not add some party go-tos?

Add variety, keep the momentum, and spread some cheer with dance anthems, pop hits, and songs that have nothing at all to do with the end of the year, snowy days, or Christmas characters.

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