Holiday karaoke is a sport — and honestly, half the room is already a little buzzed (or maybe a LOT buzzed!) so the stakes feel high and low at the same time.
The good news? With the right song, you can absolutely crush it- and have a BLAST doing so. Not to mention, everyone else will love how you’re performing , even if you don’t have the strongest voice.
1. Songs That ALWAYS Slay at Holiday Karaoke
These are crowd-pleasers, easy to sing, and fun even if you’re nervous!
Top Picks:
- “Last Christmas” – Wham! (Everyone knows it, everyone loves it)
- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
- “Feliz Navidad” – José Feliciano (You can’t fail. I have found this is a top sing along song)
- “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms (one of the easiest by far, tiny range)
- “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt (lean into the camp, throw in some purrs for good measure, I dare you!)
Why they work:
- Mid-range/ small range
- Predictable
- No insane riffs or big belt-y notes
- Audience participation built in….if you want ’em to (but expect it anyway!)
2. Songs You Should NOT Attempt
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” — Mariah Carey
Listen. I love Mariah. I love Mariah so much that I have her Barbie likeness, AND a Christmas ornament. Heck, I remember wearing out my Mariah TAPES back in the early 90s!
But! Unless you are warmed up, hydrated, and oh yeah more advanced vocally…… don’t. People WANT the big sound and vocal runs They EXPECT the big sound and vocal runs!
“O Holy Night”
You’re not in church.
This is a bar.
This is not the time. Seriously. Ever.
“Grown-Up Christmas List”
Not un-singable… just a mood killer. It’s too serious and LITE FM.
Anything Michael Bublé Sings
Sounds easy…is secretly NOT easy.Requires a bit more stamina than you think!
3. Secretly Amazing Picks for Real Singers
These are for when you actually want to show some skill without sounding like you’re trying to show off.l
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (jazzy version)
- “Merry Christmas Darling” – Carpenters
- “This Christmas” – Donny Hathaway (careful, but doable. Where are my background singers? Ha!)
4. The “After One Drink” Song List
Perfect choices once you’re 20% looser …..(but still functional)
- “Blue Christmas”
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
- “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (chaotic and SO perfect for karaoke night)
- Jingle Bell Rock
5. Songs for Low Voices / Raspy Voices
Lean into your tone — don’t fight it!
- “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon
- “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – Springsteen version. He sounds terrible on it, but he’s committed.
- “Please Come Home for Christmas” – Eagles
These feel GREAT if your voice is naturally lower, gruff, or “lived in.”
6. Holiday Karaoke Songs That Cause Instant Regret
Just don’t.
- The Mariah vocal improv/riffs/high notes section
- Anything requiring choir-style stamina
- Anything classical , it’s just weird.
- Songs that are 7 minutes long
Final Takeaway
Holiday karaoke works best when you pick something FUN, comfortable, and audience-friendly. You don’t need to reinvent the sleigh — you just need to pick the right song and enjoy the moment. After all, that is what the season is about, right?
And if you’re SERIOUS about your karaoke performance, and I have many singers that are, I want to help you, so schedule a lesson and let’s wow the crowd!