Looking to soundtrack December with pure 70s sparkle? This curated playlist mixes soul warmth, glam rock glitter, acoustic folk, and pop singalongs that still light up parties. Queue these up, pour something cozy, and let the tree lights do their thing.
20 Essential 70s Christmas Songs
| Song | Artist | Year | Mood/Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Xmas (War Is Over) | John Lennon and Yoko Ono | 1971 | Peaceful, reflective |
| Wonderful Christmastime | Paul McCartney | 1979 | Synth pop cheer |
| Merry Xmas Everybody | Slade | 1973 | Rowdy glam singalong |
| I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday | Wizzard | 1973 | Glittery, kid chorus |
| Step Into Christmas | Elton John | 1973 | Piano pop sparkle |
| I Believe in Father Christmas | Greg Lake | 1975 | Pastoral, thoughtful |
| Feliz Navidad | José Feliciano | 1970 | Bilingual warmth |
| This Christmas | Donny Hathaway | 1970 | Soulful, romantic |
| Please Come Home for Christmas | Eagles | 1978 | Bluesy longing |
| Merry Christmas Darling | Carpenters | 1970 | Velvety croon |
| Santa Claus Is Coming to Town | Jackson 5 | 1970 | Joyful Motown |
| Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy | David Bowie and Bing Crosby | 1977 | Classic duet |
| Father Christmas | The Kinks | 1977 | Punky satire |
| Lonely This Christmas | Mud | 1974 | Elvis style ballad |
| Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord | Boney M. | 1978 | Disco nativity |
| Ring Out, Solstice Bells | Jethro Tull | 1976 | Folk rock ritual |
| Light of the Stable | Emmylou Harris | 1975 | Country reverence |
| Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas) | John Denver | 1975 | Bitter-sweet folk |
| Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – Live | Bruce Springsteen | 1975 | Bar band joy |
| Wombling Merry Christmas | The Wombles | 1974 | Novelty, fun |
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon and Yoko Ono – 1971
Part carol, part protest, this song pairs a children’s choir with a simple wish for peace. It grew from the couple’s activism, turning a seasonal greeting into a year round message. That gentle refrain makes reflection feel communal.
Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney – 1979
McCartney leans into late decade synths and a pub ready chorus. The lyric celebrates small gatherings and simple joys rather than spectacle. It sounds like friends clinking glasses as fairy lights flicker.
Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade – 1973
A noisy anthem built for crowded living rooms and paper crowns. Noddy Holder’s shouty vocal and stomping rhythm invite full volume choruses. It captures a working class, arms round shoulders celebration.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard – 1973
Glitter guitars, brass, and a children’s choir power this sugar rush. Roy Wood bottles the giddy feeling of school holidays and unwrapped presents. It is maximalist cheer that never apologizes.
Step Into Christmas – Elton John – 1973
A sparkling piano groove with sleigh bells tucked behind the beat. Elton invites listeners right through the festive door, no RSVP needed. The production feels like tinsel in stereo.
I Believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake – 1975
Pastoral and thoughtful, with a lyric questioning seasonal commercialism. The tune borrows a classical touch and resolves to kindness over cynicism. It is the reflective counterpoint every playlist needs.
Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano – 1970
Two phrases, one irresistible melody. The bilingual chorus makes singalongs effortless at any party. Its warmth feels like sunlight in December.
This Christmas – Donny Hathaway – 1970
A soul classic that wraps horns and rhythm around a cozy lyric. Hathaway’s voice glides between romance and celebration. Cook, dance, and decorate to this one.
Please Come Home for Christmas – Eagles – 1978
A blues standard refitted with West Coast harmonies. It aches for a reunion, showing the holiday is not all glitter. Put it between bangers for a perfect slow sway.
Merry Christmas Darling – Carpenters – 1970
Karen Carpenter’s velvety alto turns longing into a soft glow. The arrangement is gentle, like candlelight against a frosty window. Ideal for late evenings after the crowd thins.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Jackson 5 – 1970
Motown energy meets sleigh bell bounce. Young Michael’s vocal is pure delight and the band is tight as a bow. It brings instant smiles across generations.
Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie and Bing Crosby – 1977
A surprising televised duet that blends tradition with modern cool. Bowie’s counter melody softens the drumbeat story into a graceful blessing. It feels like two eras shaking hands.
Father Christmas – The Kinks – 1977
Ray Davies writes a witty, sharp edged tale about class and holiday reality. The narrator plays Santa and gets a street lesson from kids who want cash. Punk attitude with a heart.
Lonely This Christmas – Mud – 1974
A 50s styled torch ballad wrapped in 70s glitter. The vocal channels heartbreak while the arrangement winks at Elvis. Melodrama, but entirely lovable.
Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord – Boney M. – 1978
A nativity story recast as a disco celebration with steel drums and choir swells. It is joyous, unabashed, and built for big family rooms. The chorus lands like a festive parade.
Ring Out, Solstice Bells – Jethro Tull – 1976
Folk rock pipes and hand drum patterns salute winter traditions. The lyric toasts the turning of the year more than presents. It adds earthy ritual to the playlist’s sparkle.
Light of the Stable – Emmylou Harris – 1975
A reverent country carol with crystal clear harmonies. Emmylou’s delivery is calm and luminous, perfect for quiet moments. Play it when the house finally sleeps.
Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas) – John Denver – 1975
A candid folk song that faces messy holidays with honesty. The melody is gentle, which makes the subject hit harder. Use it to balance the sugar with truth.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – Live – Bruce Springsteen – 1975
Recorded during the E Street Band’s mid 70s prime, this version turns the classic into a bar band party. Clarence Clemons adds sparkle while Bruce cracks jokes between lines. It is impossible not to grin.
Wombling Merry Christmas – The Wombles – 1974
A novelty gem that brings pure British TV charm. The hook burrows into your head and refuses to leave. Ideal for family gatherings where kids and grandparents share the chorus.
How to build the perfect 70s Christmas playlist
- Start warm: Feliciano, Hathaway, and Carpenters set a cozy tone.
- Add glitter: Slade, Wizzard, and Elton lift the energy for guests arriving.
- Sprinkle reflection: Greg Lake and Emmylou offer calm between bops.
- Cross the Atlantic: Mix UK glam with US soul to keep textures fresh.
- Close with community: Bowie and Crosby into Bruce’s live romp sends everyone home smiling.
Extra picks if you want a longer set
Try The Beach Boys Little Saint Nick for a 60s carryover vibe, or ABBA’s Happy New Year as the clock approaches midnight on the 31st. For deeper cuts, hunt down festive performances from TV specials and charity albums of the era to add variety between the hits.
Ready for more 70s fun? Spin this playlist, then test your memory with our 70s Music Quiz and spot classics in the Logo Quiz. Explore more timeless tracks on our Best 70s Songs.
