27 country Christmas songs every fan needs on their festive playlist 🎄
Featuring Dolly Parton, Lady A, Keith Urban and more!
In need of some serious Christmas country playlist inspiration? Look no further - we've got you covered! We've compiled a list of our favourite country Christmas songs by some of the biggest names in the business that every country music fan needs on their festive playlist.
Whether you're on the lookout for covers of Christmas classics or prefer original songs, our list features 27 of the holliest, jolliest records by country superstars such as Dolly Parton, Keith Urban and Lady A - plus many more. For a festive country playlist Santa would approve of, here are the top country Christmas songs as recommended by us!
Dolly Parton - 'Hard Candy Christmas'
Dolly Parton's version of 'Hard Candy Christmas' was originally featured in the 1978 film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and her portrayal of Miss Mona Stangley earned Dolly a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
After being released as a single in October 1982, this festive classic - about how life can be both hard and sweet - was featured on the re-issued version of the smash hit album 'Once Upon A Christmas' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
Brenda Lee - 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
Unless you've been living under a rock, we guarantee you already know every word to perennial holiday favourite 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree', which legendary country music star Brenda Lee recorded in 1958 at the age of just 12-years-old.
In November 2023, Brenda delighted fans all over the world as she released a brand new music video for the iconic song, which you can check out below.
Keith Urban - 'I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight'
It's hard to believe that before releasing 'I'll Be Your Santa Tonight' in November 2019, country superstar Keith Urban had never put out a Christmas song. This catchy holiday track, co-written by fellow country music singer Shane McNally, serves as a reminder that spending Christmas with the people you love is more important than presents and snow.
Carrie Underwood and John Legend - 'Hallelujah'
You could be forgiven for thinking that 'Hallelujah' by Carrie Underwood and John Legend is just another cover of that Jeff Buckley classic. But in fact, this breath-taking festive duet is an original song written for the country princess by John as well as featuring his silky vocals.
Released in November 2020, 'Hallelujah' was taken from Carrie's first full-length Christmas album 'The Gift', and is guaranteed to give you chills.
Thomas Rhett - 'Christmas In The Country'
This festive, easy-going song found multi-Platinum hitmaker Thomas Rhett singing of the joys that come with celebrating the holiday season in the country. 'Christmas In The Country' was released in November 2019 and the video has over 1m views on YouTube proving that the song is hugely popular among his fanbase.
Johnny Cash - 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day'
It would be impossible to create a top Christmas country song list without including the legendary Johnny Cash. 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day' might have been released almost 60 years ago, but it continues to be a timeless classic for many country fans during the holiday season.
Featured on his 1963 album 'The Christmas Spirit', Johnny Cash's festive favourite is an adaptation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1863 poem about the despair of hearing Christmas bells during the Civil War.
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton - 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas'
When it comes to festive fun and romance, you can't beat power-couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's catchy duet 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas'.
Taken from Gwen Stefani's 2017 Christmas album of the same name, this upbeat country Christmas classic reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart upon its release and features a light-hearted music video inspired by '50s sitcoms. Trust us, you'll get this stuck in your head in no time!
Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé - 'Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas'
Yet another festive offering by the queen of country Dolly Parton, 'Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas' is taken from her 2020 Christmas album, 'A Holly Dolly Christmas' - her first festive album in 30 years.
Featuring the smooth vocals of Canadian singer Michael Bublé, this cheeky yet cheery duet reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart and tells the romantic story of a couple wanting to spend some quality alone time together during the holidays.
Lady A - 'Christmas Through your Eyes'
Country trio Lady A wrote the nostalgic festive record 'Christmas Through Your Eyes' about rediscovering the magic of Christmas after becoming parents.
Included on the deluxe version of their 2012 Christmas album 'On This Winter's Night', the song was accompanied by a music video filled with the band's childhood photos and home videos of their own children - so you'll definitely be filled with festive cheer after listening to this one.
Kacey Musgraves - 'Christmas Makes Me Cry'
While Christmas songs are often known for being joyful and merry, country music star Kacey Musgraves wanted to write a song for her 2016 festive album, 'A Very Kacey Christmas', that explained what Christmas means to her. The result was the incredible tear-jerker 'Christmas Makes Me Cry' which is bound to make you want to hold your loved ones that little bit tighter.
Brad Paisley - 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy'
Brad Paisley covered the popular 1965 Buck Owen's 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy' in 2006 for his first Christmas album 'Brad Paisley Christmas'. The song tells the story of a child sneaking downstairs to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, only to find his Dad wearing Santa's costume.
Luke Bryan - 'Run Run Rudolph'
Country megastar Luke Bryan injects some real country twang into his rendition of the 1958 Chuck Berry hit 'Run Run Rudolph'. The song was featured on the compilation album 'Country For Christmas', and a 2014 video of a family home covered in lights perfectly synced to the track went viral, helping the song gain even more popularity.
Vince Gill - 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'
No Christmas playlist would be complete without at least one version of 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. While countless country artists have done their own renditions, Vince Gill comes out on top with his version of the 1943 classic, which was featured on his 1993 Christmas album 'Let There Be Peace On Earth'.
Rascal Flatts - 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
'I'll Be Home For Christmas' is another song no Christmas playlist should be without. But rather than going for the 1943 original by Bing Crosby, consider the a capella version by country mega-group Rascal Flatts instead.
A favourite of die-hard country fans, this cover was included as a limited edition track on the group's 2008 'Greatest Hits Volume I' album.
Lainey Wilson and Big Crosby - 'Let It Snow'
Country singer Lainey Wilson is no stranger to a festive hit, having released 'Christmas Cookies' back in 2021 - but she's taken it once step further for 2025 with a cover of 'Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!'.
Not only that, but the song even features posthumous guest vocals from Bing Crosby himself! An animated music video was created by American food company Hershey's, with Lainey calling it her 'snowy little daydream' on Instagram.
Brooks & Dunn - 'Winter Wonderland'
Another Country cover to get you in the festive mood comes from the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2002 the duo released their Christmas track 'Winter Wonderland', a cover of the original track which was written back in 1934. The song has become a Christmas staple, gaining covers by various artists over the years.
George Strait - 'Christmas Cookies'
In 2002, George Strait released the track 'Christmas Cookies' as part of his album 'A Country Christmas 1999'. The track peaked at Number 33 on the US Country Chart, and is a Christmas staple for all Country fans alike.
Kenny Chesney - 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town'
Country star Kenny Chesney delighted fans with his Christmas album in 2003 - titled 'All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan'. Featuring a selection of festive songs, one of the most popular is undoubtedly 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town', which features on the Deluxe Edition of the album.
Taylor Swift - 'Christmas Tree Farm'
What would a country Christmas playlist be without the icon that is Taylor Swift? In 2019, the singer released her ever-popular seasonal single 'Christmas Tree Farm', along with a festive music video showing old family footage from the Christmas season.
Taylor is no stranger to a festive track, with her even having an entire Christmas album under her belt - aptly named 'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection' - which she released in 2007.
Megan Moroney - 'All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy'
Entering the festive season in style, the wonderful Megan Moroney released her Christmas bop 'All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy'. With a blue Christmas-themed music video to go with it, the track is sure to become a country Christmas staple!
Brett Eldredge and Kelly Clarkson – 'Sweet December'
Featuring on Brett's 2024 album 'Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)' - his eighth overall and third Christmas record - 'Sweet December' is a gorgeously cosy track featuring vocals from the iconic Kelly Clarkson.
This isn't their first collaboration, having previously worked together on 'When Christmas Comes Around)' from Kelly's 2021 festive record, 'When Christmas Comes Around'. Brett said of working with Kelly: "After singing ‘Under the Mistletoe’ together, I knew there was no one else in the world I wanted to sing this song with. Kelly’s voice has this soulful retro feeling. I’ve never done a Christmas song in this style, and I really love it."
Kelly added of the hit: "I’ve been fortunate enough to record songs with Brett, go see him live, and have him on my show! He has one of my favorite voices and I will sing with him anytime, anywhere! I hope people dig ‘Sweet December’ as much as we do!"
Cody Johnson – 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
Originally recorded by Bing Crosby, 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' is a timeless Christmas classic - and we're grateful to Cody Johnson for bringing into the country sphere! There have been plenty of covers by many artists over the years, including the likes of Elvis Presley, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Bublé.
Cody's version appeared on his 2021 record 'A Cody Johnson Christmas' along with other festive covers, and he performed the hit at the CMA Country Christmas 2024 celebration - saying beforehand that he chose to sing this particular song to "show off a little bit of a different side of my voice that you wouldn’t normally hear."
Dan + Shay – 'Pick Out A Christmas Tree'
Country duo Dan + Shay released an epic double volume Christmas record in 2024. 'It's Officially Christmas: The Double Album' was split into Christmas standards and covers on the first disc, with the second featuring all original, brand new tracks by the pair - one of which was 'Pick Out A Christmas Tree'.
The upbeat festive bop may have been originally released in 2021, but fit perfectly into the track list for the record. They told People it was "difficult" to write an original Christmas song in 2021: "There are so many good Christmas songs that already exist and like certain buzz words — and you feel like everything's already been said.
"One day we sat down to write it and it sort of poured out of us. It's just the soundtrack for folks going out with families, friends, going to a Christmas tree farm or going to a store down the street and picking out Christmas trees — so that's how this song came about."
Dasha – 'Driving Home for Christmas'
Chris Rea's 'Driving Home for Christmas' is quite often the song that gives people the proper festive feels - once you've listened to that one, you know the Christmas season is really here! So many people can relate to the "driving home" aspect, too - including Dasha, who reinvented the hit for 2025.
Knowing that she worked with her brother, Bardo, who produced the cover, gives it an extra layer of that good nostalgia feeling, and Dasha shared an adorable video of herself and her brother at Christmas as children to promote the hit.
Kane Brown & Elvis Presley – 'Blue Christmas'
Elvis Presley's version of 'Blue Christmas' was originally recorded all the way back in 1957 for his LP 'Elvis' Christmas Album', later being released as a single in 1964. So it's fitting that nearly 60 years after the original, Kane Brown recorded his own spin alongside Elvis' original vocals.
Released in 2023, Kane told Backstage Country in 2024 of "working with" Elvis: "I chose to cover 'Blue Christmas' because it was probably one of my favourite Christmas songs. I don't have a lot.
"I used to sing it all the time whenever I was first coming up in the music scene, just while I was warming up and just playing around on stage, so when I got asked to do a Christmas song, of course, I'd have picked that one. And to reimagine it with Elvis is amazing. I heard it for the first time the other day, so just to hear me and Elvis on the same song is crazy."
Luke Bryan & Ella Langley – 'Winter Wonderland'
As we know, Luke is no stranger to a Christmas cover - he's already appeared in this list once already! But his 2025 country cover of 'Winter Wonderland' (made famous by Bing Crosby) featuring Ella Langley is certainly one for festive playlists.
Riley Green – 'Christmas To Me'
Released in 2024, Riley Green put out this sweet song, pulling on his own childhood memories of Christmastime that will surely evoke festive memories in any listener. Lyrics like 'Grandma's yard looks like a parking lot' and 'All them grandkids lined up to sit on Grandpa's lap' are just too relatable!
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Read more:
Luke Bryan: Everything you need to know about country music's busiest star
Carrie Underwood: A look back over the country singer's incredible career through the years
Black Shelton: The country titan's rise to fame through the years