65 Best Country Christmas Songs

Dolly Parton

The best country Christmas songs run the gamut from nostalgic, easy listening to power ballads to modern party tracks with some twang.

Classics from the likes of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn are here, as are newer ditties from Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and Darius Rucker, to name a few. From love songs to silly tracks about redneck reindeer, warm vibes about childhood and heartwrenching songs about loss, here are the best classic country Christmas songs and modern country Christmas songs for your holiday party playlist.

Best Country Christmas Songs

1. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, "You Make It Feel Like Christmas"

Gwen Stefani adopts her now-husband Blake Shelton's country stylings for "You Make It Feel Like Christmas."

2. Randy Travis, "White Christmas Makes Me Blue"

This is a must-listen for anyone who's blue around the holidays. You may be lonely, but you're not alone.

3. Anne Wilson and Josh Turner, "The Manger"

Josh Turner and Anne Wilson team up for "The Manger," a sweet take on the nativity.

4. Kacey Musgraves feat. Leon Bridges, "Like a Present Without a Bow"

Kacey Musgraves teams up with Leon Bridges for this melancholy love song.

5. Dolly Parton, "Hard Candy Christmas"

Possibly the best sad Christmas tune ever comes courtesy of Dolly Parton, who typically brings joy to everything she touches.

6. John Denver, "Aspenglow"

John Denver delivers another immortal classic that will leave you feeling Rocky Mountain high ... and maybe looking at Colorado real-estate on Zillow.

7. Alabama, "Christmas in Dixie"

Wouldn't it be nice if there were actual peace on Earth as described in this song?

8. George Strait, "Christmas Cookies"

George Strait's classic "Christmas Cookies" is a sweet treat for the ears.

9. Merle Haggard, "If We Make It Through December"

For anyone going through relationship or life struggles in the holiday season, this melancholy Merle Haggard track is for you.

10. Darius Rucker, "Candy Cane Christmas"

Darius Rucker delivers with this sweet country Christmas original.

11. Kelly Clarkson and Brett Eldredge, "Underneath the Mistletoe"

Kelly Clarkson indulges her country side in his romantic duet with Brett Eldredge.

12. Montgomery Gentry, "Merry Christmas from the Family"

Hotbeds of dysfunction will relate and everyone else will giggle at this comedic classic.

13. Roger Miller, "Old Toy Trains"

Nostalgia, Christmas magic and childhood imagination are fundamental elements of this classic.

14. Scotty McCreery, "Christmas In Heaven"

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery brings on the tears with "Christmas In Heaven," a toast to those we can't celebrate with on Earth.

15. Amy Grant, "Tennessee Christmas"

There's more snow in Colorado than Tennessee, but Amy Grant wouldn't trade her country holiday for the world.

16. Joe Diffie, "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer"

When Rudolph takes a sick day, Santa calls in the B-squad. The only part of the tune that doesn't age well is Santa wrapping his bag in a Dixie flag, because slave owners firmly belong on the naughty list.

17. Vince Gill, "Let There Be Peace on Earth"

Vince Gill's Christmas wish is as timeless as ever.

18. Carrie Underwood, "My Favorite Time of Year"

You can hear the joy in Carrie Underwood's voice as she sings about black and white movies, tinsel and all things holiday—punctuated by a truly brilliant incorporation of jingle bells.

19. Chris Young, "Under the Weather"

Let it snow indeed!

20. Ray Stevens, "Redneck Christmas"

We'll pass on the possum stew, but indulge in giggling at these lyrics.

Related: Religious Christmas Songs

21. Suzy Bogguss, "Two-Step 'Round the Christmas Tree"

The quintessential country western holiday dance.

22. LeAnn Rimes, "Put a Little Holiday In Your Heart"

Originally a B-side to her single "God Bless America," LeAnn Rimes' "Holiday In Your Heart" inspired a book and TV movie of the same name, the latter starring Bernadette Peters.

23. Johnny Cash, "Merry Christmas Mary"

If we're being honest, Mary did the hardest work (literal labor!) on Christmas, so it's nice to see Johnny Cash celebrating her.

24. Florida Georgia Line, "Lit This Year"

Get that Christmas spirit in your cup and dance to this fun track.

25. Thomas Rhett, "Christmas in the Country"

Listen, this song name-drops John Deere. Does it get more country than that?

26. Darren Criss Feat. Lainey Wilson, "Drunk on Christmas"

Lainey Wilson joins the Glee alum for an intoxicating, silly country holiday tune.

27. Willie Nelson, "Pretty Paper"

There have been a slew of renditions of "Pretty Paper," but Willie Nelson—who wrote the original song in 1963—does it best.

28. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, "I'm Beginning to See the Light"

Country's golden couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's take on this jazz favorite is extra cute.

29. Faith Hill, "Where Are You Christmas?"

Faith Hill sings her heart out on this ballad for the 2000 Dr. Suess' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas soundtrack.

30. Keith Urban, "I'll Be Your Santa Tonight"

Keith Urban helps the subject of this tune (hello, Nicole Kidman!) have a romantic and merry Christmas, even when the rest of her plans have gone awry.

31. Brad Paisley, "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy"

This fun Brad Paisley Christmas cover could potentially be a good way to break the news to your kids.

32. Mitchell Tenpenny, "Naughty List"

Because sometimes it's a lot more fun than being nice.

33. Mickey Guyton, "O Holy Night"

That voice! Mickey Guyton's "O Holy Night" needs to be official Christmas canon.

34. Dan + Shay, "Pick Out a Christmas Tree"

Dan + Shay get festive with this cute ditty about getting ready for the holidays.

35. Jon Pardi, "Beer for Santa"

Santa is a grownup, and sometimes adults need something stronger than milk ... We just hope he waits until he's not navigating his sleigh to indulge.

36. O.N.E The Duo, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"

The stripped down version of the classic Christmas tune is perfectly suited for O.N.E The Duo's vocals.

37. Jon Langston, "I Only Want You for Christmas"

Jon Langston urges you to save your money this holiday season. We're in!

38. Blake Shelton, "Home"

Shelton reworks his hit "Home" to be a Christmas song, accompanied by crooner Michael Bublé.

39. Jeff Foxworthy, "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas"

Silly and catchy, comedian Jeff Foxworthy's "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas" is sure to elicit some chuckles at your holiday party.

40. Clint Black, "'Til Santa's Gone (Milk and Cookies)"

Clint Black sings about behaving and remembering to be a gracious host for St. Nick.

41. Lee Brice, "Santa Claus Was My Uber Driver"

Even Santa Claus needs a side hustle in this economy, and Lee Brice imagines what the jolly guy does the other 364 days of the year.

42. Walker Hayes, "Fancy Like Christmas"

Walker Hayes delivers with this holiday-themed version of his viral hit.

43. Lady A, "On This Winter's Night"

Released in 2012 when they still had "Antebellum" in their name, Lady A's "On This Winter's Night" is a piano-leading ballad showcasing the group's harmonies.

44. Johnny Cash, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Cash's powerful voice and conviction may well make you a believer after listening to this faith-based Christmas song.

45. Toby Keith, "Santa, I'm Right Here"

This heartbreaking song about a houseless child's letter to Santa will bring on the sobs (and hopefully inspire you to give back this season).

46. Loretta Lynn, "Country Christmas"

Loretta Lynn reminisces on her memories of Christmases past as a coal miner's daughter in "Country Christmas."

Related: Loretta Lynn's Best Lyrics

47. Keith Whitley, "A Christmas Letter"

This sweet 1985 song tells the story of what St. Nicholas wants for Christmas: Peace on Earth and goodwill to man.

48. Kellie Pickler, "Santa Baby"

Kellie Pickler delivers a sweet and sassy country rendition of the Eartha Kitt hit.

49. NewSong, "The Christmas Shoes"

Two words: Tear. Jerker. If you're an ugly crier, maybe wait until you're alone to play "The Christmas Shoes." The song itself tells a story, which also lent itself to a 2002 TV movie adaptation that, as predicted, also brings on some serious waterworks.

50. Maren Morris and Pentatonix, "When You Believe"

Known for their a cappella pop, Pentatonix team up with country crooner Maren Morris for this cover of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's ballad from The Prince of Egypt soundtrack.

51. Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood, "Silent Night"

Hark, these are the herald angels we want to hear sing. Clarkson, Reba McEntire and Yearwood team up for harmonies that sound like they were sent from above.

Related: Reba McEntire's Net Worth

52. Buck Owens, "Blue Christmas Lights"

As blue as "Blue Christmas Lights" is, it'll make your Christmas soundtrack a lot brighter.

53. Rascal Flatts, "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

Rascal Flatts covers this classic with a country tinge and the requisite wistful sentiment.

54. Sugarland, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

Jennifer Nettles has a voice that can only be described as heavenly.

55. Alan Jackson, "Let It Be Christmas"

Alan Jackson delivers gentile wishes for the whole world.

56. Kenny Chesney, "All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan"

For those of you who prefer palm trees to pine trees this time of year.

57. Tim McGraw, "Dear Santa"

Tim McGraw has a Christmas wish to be a better husband. Ladies, if you're looking for a passive aggressive way to tell your partner to step it up this holiday season, blast this bad boy on a loop.

58. Bobby Helms, "Jingle Bell Rock"

This is a country song, not a rock song!

59. Ingrid Andress, "Christmas Always Finds Me"

Millennials and Gen X kids will love that Ingrid Andress cites wishes for "roller blades and pixie sticks" in this ballad.

61. Travis Tritt, "All I Want for Christmas Dear Is You"

Aside from the sonic differences, the "Dear" in the title clearly differentiates it from Mariah Carey's pop classic.

62. Carrie Underwood, "Hallelujah"

Underwood's cover of the Leonard Cohen classic is accompanied by John Legend on piano.

63. Alan Jackson, "Santa's Gonna Come In a Pickup Truck"

It can probably fit at least as much as a sleigh, and you don't need to store reindeer food, either.

64. Charley Pride, "Christmas In My Hometown"

The late, great Charley Pride delivered a classic with "Christmas In My Hometown," complete with jingling bells, twang and images of twinkling lights, snow and joyful memories.

65. Brenda Lee, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

Brenda Lee finally hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" in 2023 and got an official music video. We have to be honest: This is definitely more of a country song than a rock song, but we'll let it slide because she is so stinkin' cute.

Next, Everything to Know About Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"