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New Jersey Christmas Playlist 2024


By Gary Wien

originally published: 12/25/2024


Many of the world's best musicians have come from New Jersey and that includes plenty of artists who are mostly known to music fans in the Garden State.  Here is a playlist if you're looking for some holiday music that is different from what you'll hear on most radio stations.  A few of these are popular tracks, but the majority may be new to you.  If you're tired of songs that take place Before Christmas, you can jump to Christmas Day for a few tracks.

The entire playlist is available on YouTube here.  There are many more tracks from NJ indie artists we've received over the years, but we decided to create it as a YouTube playlist so users can simply here them all from start to finish (sorry about the commercials!).  And, unfortunately, some of the tracks we wanted to include were not available on YouTube or were not shareable due to age restriction blocking.  But hopefully you'll give it a listen and maybe discover some artists for the first time and check out the rest of their catalog.  Best wishes to everyone this holiday season.

BEFORE CHRISTMAS TRACKS

1) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

2) All I Want For Christmas is You - My Chemical Romance

3) Please Come Home For Christmas - Southside Johnny

4) Every Single Christmas - Nicole Atkins

5) Feels Like Christmas - The Wag

6) Let it Snow - Matt O'Ree

7) Santa Baby - Eryn Shewell

8) You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch - The Whirling Dervishes

9) Feels Like Christmas - Foggy Otis

10) It's Not Christmas If I Can't Have You - Mike Dalton

11) Little Drummer Boy - DeSol

12) Coventry Carol - Karen Mansfield

13) Christmas All Over Again - Red Wanting Blue

14) Dear Santa - Every Damn Day

15) Back Door Santa - Bon Jovi

16) The Cookie Song - Amanda Duncan

17) Christmas Wrapping 2020 - Bryan Hansen Band ft. Kim Boyko

18) The Christmas Tree on Salem Street - Arlon Bennett

19) Christmas - Blues Traveler

20) Blue Christmas - Wiser Time

21) The First Noel - Brian Fallon

22) Do You Hear What I Hear? - Whitney Houston

23) Merry Christmas, I Guess - Anthony D'Amato

24) Christmas Time In The City - Mary Chapin Carpenter

25) Ho Ho Ho & A Bottle of Rum - Cucumbers

26) Christmas Vacation - Dan Amato

27) Little Saint Nick - Brian Erickson

28) Under the Mistletow - Thomas Johnston

29) Silent Night - Debra Devi

30) O' Holy Night - Patti Smith

31) Christmas in Jersey City - David W. Jacobsen

32) Christmas Must Be Tonight - Christian Beach

 




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CHRISTMAS DAY

33) Christmas Day - Weeklings

34) Christmas (I Remember) - Smithereens

35) Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight) - Successful Failures

36) I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Xmas - Jersey Syndicate

37) Merry Christmas Santa - Al Holmes

38) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Lisa Bouchelle

39) Christmas Blessings - Helen O'Shea

40) Christmas in Jersey - Kevin John Allen

41) 8 Days (a Chanukah tune) - Jon Caspi

42) Happy Xmas - Glen Burtnick

43) Another Christmas Song - Stephen Colbert



Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].



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EVENT PREVIEWS

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Ali Campbell, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will be bringing their Big Love Tour to Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City with Matisyahu on Friday, May 1, 2026. Showtime is 9:00pm.
Tuckerton Porchfest returns May 2nd with Music, Poetry, Art & Community along Main Street

Tuckerton Porchfest returns May 2nd with Music, Poetry, Art & Community along Main Street

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Tuckerton Porchfest returns on Saturday, May 2, 2026 (rain date: May 3rd) from 11:00am to 4:00pm, transforming Main Street into a vibrant, walkable celebration of local creativity. Featuring live music, poetry, visual art, vendors, and community experiences, this grassroots festival invites attendees to explore multiple porch stages hosted by local businesses and residents.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band is dedicated to capturing the electrifying energy and soulful sound of legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.
bergenPAC presents Six-Time Tony Award (R) Winner Audra McDonald on May 3rd

bergenPAC presents Six-Time Tony Award (R) Winner Audra McDonald on May 3rd

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Acclaimed Organist Chelsea Chen to Perform Solo Recital Concert at Christ Church in Short Hills on May 3rd

Acclaimed Organist Chelsea Chen to Perform Solo Recital Concert at Christ Church in Short Hills on May 3rd

(SHORT HILLS, NJ) -- Christ Church in Short Hills will present a solo concert recital by internationally acclaimed organist, Chelsea Chen, on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4:00pm. The special concert will feature a selection of traditional organ compositions along with contemporary music.
T.K. Blue to Celebrate Randy Weston

T.K. Blue to Celebrate Randy Weston's 100th Birthday at Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison

(MADISON, NJ) -- In the history of jazz, no American musician's career has been more interconnected with the continent of Africa than that of the great pianist and composer Randy Weston. Weston, whose centennial birthday was celebrated on April 6, 2026, was a giant, not only as a creative and spiritual force, but standing six feet, seven inches, an imposing figure in the venues at which he performed throughout the world.
Undead Arts & New Jersey Symphony announce cast and crew for Mozart

Undead Arts & New Jersey Symphony announce cast and crew for Mozart's "The Magic Flute"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Undead Arts, in collaboration with New Jersey Symphony, presents a reimagined production of Mozart's The Magic Flute on May 2 & 3, 2026 at The Harborside Atrium in Jersey City. Showtime is 3:00pm.
The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra to present a program Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra to present a program Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Zimmerli Art Museum on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:00pm. The program will honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The New York Times once called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Jersey City based artist Debra Devi will open the night.
Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday

Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Lily Vakili will celebrate the release of her Live Wire EP on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at The Francis Kite Club. Doors are at 8:00pm; Showtime is 8:30pm.

 

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