Top 10 Christmas Songs from Musicals That Put Us In the Holiday Spirit

Only musical theater fans could hear a song this cynical and still think, “Hey, it’s Christmas time!” Unlike your typical festive show tune, this number highlights the plight of Alphabet City’s poorest residents. Using tongue-in-cheek Christmas references, they explain why their holiday season won’t be so merry. Meanwhile, we see Angel and Collins, and Roger and Mimi taking new steps in their relationships, plus we’re finally introduced to Maureen. Yes, a lot happens. But the way the narratives expertly overlay is genius, and it builds to an explosive crescendo that leaves us with chills. It might not be the holiest, jolliest Christmas tune out there, but boy, is it catchy.

Talk about an act one finale that goes hard! “Turkey Lurkey Time” is a show-stopping song-and-dance number taking place during an office holiday party. Three employees are tasked with providing the entertainment, and they bring it in abundance! The song is pretty disconnected from the overall narrative, yet it’s undeniably one of the show’s standout numbers. The nonsensical lyrics are set to a captivating tune and accompanied by one of the most entertaining, dynamic, and iconic Broadway dance routines we’ve ever seen. Much like its titular bird, this song doesn’t get nearly enough love. Just be warned, it’s such an earworm that you’ll struggle to shake it off by Christmas… of next year that is.

“Annie” takes place during the 1930s Great Depression under President Roosevelt’s administration. Still, there’s something in this song’s melody that makes us want to put on our most festive sweaters and hang up the Christmas lights. As the characters reflect on past and present hardships, they look to the future with great optimism, knowing that the President has a plan to elevate his country and its people. It’s an invigorating number that gets the ensemble involved as they tap dance their way into a brighter tomorrow. Like some of the more popular songs from this show, it's upbeat and joy-inducing but with an extra sprinkling of Christmas spirit on top.

If you’re a fan of the 2003 flick, you’ll know that [1]. However, in New York, people are far more reluctant to follow this code. Luckily, this is a musical, so they don’t have much choice. Songs like “SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley” remind us “to thine own Elf be true.” However, nothing says Christmas more than, well, “A Christmas Song.” In this number, Buddy convinces Jovie to sing herself into the festive spirit by recalling childhood holiday memories like decorating the tree and hearing reindeer on the roof. It encapsulates Buddy’s fun-loving, bubbly and childlike innocence so perfectly and takes us on a trip down Christmas memory lane. You’d have to be a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins to leave this song off your holiday show tunes playlist.

Not quite a musical, not quite a song cycle, Jason Robert Brown’s abstract concept ties together 16 tunes, with “moment of decision” acting as the overarching theme. This melodious number takes place in act two, and is sung from the perspective of a woman who’s recently learned that she’s pregnant. It’ll speak to anyone whose faith elevates them or helps them find meaning and purpose in life. Others might be moved by the touching sentiment of a soon-to-be-mother who’s excited about the prospect of a new life. Perhaps it’s not as raucous as some songs, but it’s a beautiful piece that requires a lot of heart and dedication, truly embodying the spirit of the season.

We’re all familiar with Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” right? The bitter and greedy Ebenezer Scrooge gets visited by ghosts and forced to mend his ways? Well, this song takes place when he’s confronted by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who reminds him of the true meaning of the holiday. If you’re feeling like a Scrooge this year, don’t say “Bah Humbug” just yet. Play this tune and let the melody excite you and the lyrics remind you why this is one of the most wonderful times of the year. If you need even more convincing, might we also recommend the whimsical “A Kid at Christmas” from “A Christmas Story”?

Is anything more relatable than getting to the week before Christmas and realizing you’ve barely made a dent in your shopping list? This humorous number begins 12 days before the big event and sees blasé shoppers unconcerned by the closing in time constraints. As Christmas day looms ever nearer, the song becomes more frantic as the characters become more panicked. Layered over this hilarious chaos, we see Georg and Amalia’s chemistry heating up. This song is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser; it’s funny, lively, and has us pondering whether it’s too soon to dive into our shopping lists. Also, anyone who’s worked in retail over the festive period will relate to these lyrics on a whole other level.

This Judy Garland flick is a classic and always near the top of our must-watch Christmas list, thanks largely to this iconic tune. At this point in the story, the Smith children are heartbroken after their father tells them they’re relocating to New York. And Garland’s Esther comforts her sister through this heartfelt tune. The number has since taken on a life of its own, being covered by artists like Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, Michael Bublé, John Legend, and more. However, there’s nothing like the incomparable Judy Garland’s dulcet tones to put you in the festive mood and bring some extra twinkle to your holidays.

Nothing paints a more perfect Christmas picture than this Academy Award-winning Bing Crosby tune. Written by Irving Berlin, it was first featured in the 1942 film, “Holiday Inn.” However, you might also recognize it from the 1954 eponymous classic. Like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” this song has become popular beyond the realm of musicals, and for a good reason. It’s impossible to not be swayed by the harmonious melody or images of glistening treetops or “sleigh bells in the snow.” For many, this is the only “White Christmas” we’re guaranteed every year, and unlike the real thing, it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. Its magic never seems to fade away.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year,” “Catch Me If You Can” (2011)
A Reminder That the Holidays Are Best Shared with Our Nearest & Dearest

“It Feels Like Christmas,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
It Only “Feels Like Christmas” When We Hear This Tune

“The Schmuel Song,” “The Last Five Years” (2001)
An Impactful Song About Grabbing Life by the (Carefully Gift Wrapped) Horns

“Christmas Children,” “Scrooge: The Musical” (1992)
The Cratchits Know How to Do Christmas

“Rockin' Around the Pole,” “Mean Girls” (2018)
Who Among Us Hasn’t Tried to Replicate the Film’s Choreography to This Number?

Nothing gets us more excited for the holiday season than hearing the opening bars to this jolly tune. Even though the lyrics tell us it’s a week until Thanksgiving, the titular character’s life-affirming, free-wheeling personality is ready to roll right into Christmas; and we’d happily join her on that gleeful sleigh ride. With Angela Lansbury’s magic touch on the original, it’s rightfully become a timeless classic. It could be the height of summer, but just play us this song, and we’ll excitedly haul out the holly, deck the halls, and hang up the tinsel. Auntie Mame is right; we do need a little Christmas right now!