The ultimate pop diva Christmas playlist

Imma let you finish, Michael Bublé, but when it comes to iconic modern Christmas jams, nobody can top our favorite pop princesses.

Obviously, we would never dare disrespect Mariah Carey in this most Mimi time of the year, but, for when she needs a cup of tea after hitting those high notes, there are plenty more queens of Christmas to fill the silence. To keep us dancing all holiday season, we've assembled a playlist of 32 fabulously festive tracks — both covers and originals — from Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and more. Because, for the most glittering time of the year, who better to soundtrack it than the sparkliest singers in the world?

Let’s start with some originals…

"All I Want for Christmas Is You," Mariah Carey

Obviously.

"Santa Tell Me," Ariana Grande

Thank u for "Santa Tell Me," Ariana. We'll play it next.

"Underneath the Tree," Kelly Clarkson

The lead single off Kelly Clarkson's 2013 Christmas album Wrapped in Red was an instant hit, destined for classic status to rival Mariah's.

"Santa, Can't You Hear Me," Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande

With their powers combined, a persuasive plea to Mr. Claus.

"My Only Wish (This Year)," Britney Spears

Sweet Britney! Our only wish every year is for Spears to release more holiday music. Santa, can you hear me?

"Christmas Makes Me Cry," Kacey Musgraves

Break out the tissues and slow it down a little with this melancholy tune from country Christmas queen Kacey Musgraves.

"It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries," Carly Rae Jepsen

Here's Carly Rae Jepsen elaborating on Kacey's theme! Just a little more lighthearted this time.

"It Just Don't Feel Like Xmas (Without You)," Rihanna

Take a break from holding your breath for a new RiRi album and revisit this sad 2006 slow jam from none other than Now That's What I Call Christmas 3.

"Here This Christmas," Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani has proven herself a yuletide diva to watch (look out, Bing Crosby), and climbed the Christmas queen ladder ever further with a new honor in 2020: providing the Hallmark Channel's official "Countdown to Christmas" theme in the form of this winsome tune. Now that's power!

"Cozy Little Christmas," Katy Perry

Katy Perry released this bubbly addition to the festive diva catalog in 2018, then followed it up a year later with an over-the-top video illustration of what Christmas à la Katy really looks like.

"Christmas Tree Farm," Taylor Swift

Merry Swiftmas, everyone! Get wild and leave the lights up until January!

"Never Felt Like Christmas," Lizzo

Yes, Lizzo has an original Christmas song, and yes, it's good as hell.

"Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey feat. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson

Mimi gave her irresistible 2010 Christmas bop a triple-girl-powered update in 2020 with crucial assists from Ariana and JHud.

"Christmas Tree," Lady Gaga

Before she was off the deep end and we were all watching as she dove in, Lady Gaga was still an eccentric, arty pop diva delivering dirty-minded holiday singles.

"Snowman," Sia

The saddest, sweetest love song on the list comes from Sia's 2017 album of original Christmas tracks, Everyday Is Christmas (and if the impossible romance of "Snowman" breaks your heart too much, try taking a trip down "Candy Cane Lane").

"Mr. Right," Leona Lewis

This irresistible yuletide original from the "Bleeding Love" singer has the same gist as a lot of these romantic holiday bops, but hasn't caught on to the degree of "Underneath the Tree" or "Santa Tell Me." Add it to your playlist and help bring about justice for Mr. Right.

"100 Degrees," Kylie Minogue feat. Dannii Minogue

Christmas is great and all, but as Kylie Minogue knows, there's one thing it desperately needs: disco. So much more disco.

"8 Days of Christmas," Destiny's Child

This could be considered a cover, but when you replace "geese a-laying" with "a crop jacket with dirty denim jeans," you're kind of interfering with the integrity of the original too much for it to really be considered the same thing, right?

"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year," Ingrid Michaelson & Zooey Deschanel

Two of our favorite festive singer-songwriters teamed up in 2021 for a track of such cozy sweetness, the only possible way to capture it visually was with a music video of stuffed bunnies wearing knit sweaters and hanging Christmas lights.

"Can You See," Fifth Harmony

Yes, Fifth Harmony recorded an inspiring song for the soundtrack to the 2017 animated biblical film The Star. The more you know!

"Christmas Time," Christina Aguilera

Have a very Xtina Xmas with this danceable track from Christina Aguilera's 2000 holiday album, My Kind of Christmas.

"Tell Me a Story (About the Night Before)," Hilary Duff feat. Lil' Romeo

This is as 2002 Christmas as it gets. Enjoy.

"come out and play," Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish penned this childlike ballad for an Apple commercial. While it doesn't make mention of the holiday per se, it may be the closest we come to a Billie Eilish-penned Christmas song.

And now for a few covers…

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Tinashe

This is a tricky song for a diva to even approach — it belongs to Judy Garland! — but Tinashe's cool take on the timeless tune gives it a whole new life.

"Last Christmas," The Cheetah Girls

The Wham! classic has gotten countless covers — including from Swift, Jepsen, Stefani, Clarkson, Grande, Tinashe, and other singers featured above — but did you know the Cheetah Girls, the amigas cheetahs themselves, included it on their 2005 album Cheetah-licious Christmas?

"Santa Baby," Madonna

Eartha Kitt's version is iconic, but Madonna does the flirty ditty justice — and if the Material Girl was ever going to sing a Christmas song, it had to be this one.

"Feliz Navidad," Thalía

She first collaborated on a 2010 recording of this classic with Michael Bublé, but, a decade later, Thalía dropped a joyous solo version.

"Sleigh Ride," TLC

The most scrub-free song on the list.

"The Christmas Song," Whitney Houston

Slow it down a little with Whitney Houston, who puts her crystal voice on this classic.

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," Miley Cyrus with Mark Ronson, feat. Sean Ono Lennon

Miley and her "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" collaborator Mark Ronson updated John Lennon and Yoko Ono's classic protest song with a little help from John and Yoko's son, Sean.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas," Camila Cabello

Camilla Cabello showcases her impressive pipes on this dreamy cover of the Bing Crosby standard.

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," Mariah Carey

Mariah, and Mariah alone, is allowed to have two solo tracks on this playlist. We're not complete grinches.

This story was originally published in December 2018 and updated in November 2022, now with even more holiday sparkle!