Tired of the Same 10 Christmas Songs? Add These Unusual Tracks to Your 2026 Playlist

Lesser Known Christmas Songs

We’ve all been there: It’s only December 5th, and you’ve already heard “Jingle Bell Rock” enough times to last a lifetime. While the classics provide that essential spark of nostalgia, a truly great holiday playlist needs texture. It needs songs that make your guests stop and ask, “Wait, who is this? I love this!”

If you’re building your 2026 holiday mix and want to skip the “mall music” vibe, here are some unusual, rare, and fresh Christmas tracks to add right now.

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1. The Winter Vibe

• “Christmas Time Is Here” by Khruangbin: A dreamy, instrumental take on the Charlie Brown classic. It’s soulful, laid-back, and perfect for late-night gift wrapping.
• “two queens in a king sized bed” by girl in red: A modern, intimate holiday song that captures the quiet, cozy side of the season without a single mention of Santa.
• “Christmas Song” by Phoebe Bridgers: For those who prefer their Christmas with a side of beautiful melancholy. It’s a slow-burn track that feels like a cold winter evening.
• “Cold Winter Night” by Pure Evergreen: A romantic story about finding love on Christmas Eve by chance encounter during a snowstorm.

2. The “Deep Cuts” & B-Sides

Surprise your fellow music nerds with tracks from legendary artists that rarely get radio play.

• “A Winter’s Tale” by Queen: One of the final songs recorded by Freddie Mercury. It’s a psychedelic, dreamy masterpiece that feels more like a fairytale than a standard carol.
• “Little Drum Machine Boy” by Beck: If you want “holiday robot funk,” this 7-minute epic is for you. It’s weird, catchy, and definitely not something you’ll hear at the grocery store.
• “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” by Eels: High-energy, fuzzy indie rock that brings a much-needed “cool” factor to any holiday party.

3. The 2026 “Hidden Gems”

Looking for something truly fresh? I’ve been scouring the archives for original tracks that have “future classic” written all over them.

• “Snowing in Paris” by Pentatonix (ft. JoJo): From their latest Christmas in the City project, this original R&B-pop track brings a sophisticated, cosmopolitan energy to the holiday.
• “Still the Light” by Stryper: Want to melt some tinsel? This track from their 2025 holiday album proves that “heavy metal Christmas” can actually be incredibly melodic and powerful.

How to Mix These Into Your Playlist

Don’t just dump these into a 500-song shuffle. Try “sandwiching” them: Place an unusual track like Khruangbin between two upbeat classics like Chuck Berry or Nat King Cole. It keeps the listener grounded in the holiday spirit while constantly introducing them to something new.

What’s the weirdest Christmas song you’ve ever found? Drop a comment and let me know, I’m always looking for more tracks to add to my scouting list!