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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

About the author:

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

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The North Jersey Blues Society presents "Blues & Brews" featuring BBD Rhythm & Blues Band at the Montclair Brewery on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The event runs from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Going Acoustic at Quig's to Mark 4 Years with Featured Sets from Emily Drinker and Gina LC on June 22nd

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Four years in, Going Acoustic at Quig's is still doing what it does best: creating a welcoming space where artists feel comfortable to take risks, and audiences are lucky enough to hear it unfold. On Monday, June 22, 2026 the beloved open mic series returns to Quig's Pub for its 4th Anniversary Show, with featured performances from Emily Drinker and Gina LC, alongside the series' signature blend of emerging voices and open mic performers.
Cape May Point Arts and Science Center presents Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Guy Davis on June 24th

Cape May Point Arts and Science Center presents Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Guy Davis on June 24th

(CAPE MAY POINT, NJ) -- On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy Nominee for Best Traditional Blues, Guy Davis, will perform at The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center.
Harmonium Choral Society to have France Tour Send-Off Concert on June 24th

Harmonium Choral Society to have France Tour Send-Off Concert on June 24th

(MADISON, NJ) -- Come hear the joyful and varied repertoire 42 singers from Harmonium Choral Society will take on tour to France on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Grace Church (4 Madison Ave) in Madison. Music ranges from Bruckner to Billings and Bernstein, Rosephanye Powell, Elizabeth Alexander, Lucy Cook, Mark Miller and more! The concert is free; donations at the door are welcome. The church is accessible, air-conditioned, and has ample parking. Showtime is 7:00pm.
American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Katerina McCrimmon: Naked Concert on June 26th

American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Katerina McCrimmon: Naked Concert on June 26th

(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present Katerina McCrimmon's acclaimed solo concert, Naked, which has played to sold-out audiences across the country, including at Joe's Pub and Lincoln Center. Directed by Henry Gainza, it will come to the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center for one performance only, on Fri.day, June 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th

MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- A cappella favorite Straight No Chaser brings its summer-themed Beach Bash to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $57-$114 (All fees included).
Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th

Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Curry sets off on his 2026 Spring/Summer "One For The Ride" Tour (named for his new Ruf Records album release) with a performance at Asbury Lanes on Friday, June 26, 2026. Erik Mason Band will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm. 
The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre

The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 8:00pm.
Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th

Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Jersey Shore musician Brian Ostering from The Wag is stepping out of his comfort zone with The Elvis Spectacular - "The Early Years" Concert on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Middletown Arts Center. This is the first time he has performed an Elvis show and it's a tribute to his father who helped pass down his passion for Elvis to Brian. I reached out to Brian to learn more about the show.
Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival

Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Underground returns on June 27, 2026 as part of the North to Shore Festival and there's a terrific lineup of artists again. Performances take place at venues throughout Asbury Park.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


MAC Music Café

Sunday, June 21, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ


Mysterious Ways -The U2 Experience

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Straight No Chaser Beach Bash

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Katerina McCrimmon: Naked

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 7:00pm
DMK Black Box Theatre at Union Arts Center
Union, NJ


Three American Troubadours: Celebrating Taylor, Simon & King

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ



 

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