“Santa’s got a brand new bag and it’s funky, too!” – Funky Christmas, by James Brown
Motown Christmas music brings an unmistakable groove of classic motor city cool that instantly elevates any holiday season playlist. Adding these songs will immediately elevate your Christmas time playlist! .
Sleigh With These Top 30 Best Motown Christmas Songs for Your Holiday Playlist!
This post will make sure your holiday playlist is banging with these Top 30 Best Motown Christmas Songs for Your Holiday Playlist! Everything you want to get in the holiday spirit during the most wonderful time of the year. Perfect not just for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but all season long!
🎸 Jump to Motown PlaylistHow Do You Make The Perfect Christmas Playlist?
Take some songs from each of these lists, and you will have yourself the perfect Christmas or holiday playlist.
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Slowestuff Christmas Section
We don’t just have a list of the best Motown Christmas songs, we have plenty of Christmas content on the blog!
Lots of song posts to find the perfect holiday vibe, like the funniest Christmas songs like that one time when Grandma got run over by a reindeer. Heading out to do some Christmas caroling? We have a list for that too! From punk to Motown, we have Christmas songs for every style!
We have all the gift ideas you can think of, for everyone on your list. Gifts for mom? We got you. Daughters or girlfriends? Also got you! We even have ideas about what to get a new boyfriend, without feeling awkward. What about client gifts? We got that too.
Scrapbookers and journalers, we have plenty of holiday inspiration over in the scrapbook section.
Check out our Seasonal Content section here. We have drop downs where you can find season specific posts for all kinds of holidays, plus each season. Our Christmas section has plenty of gift ideas for everyone on your list.
We love Christmas season!
Motown Christmas Music FAQs:
Jackson 5 is a great one to start with! Add their version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” plus The Temptations’ “Silent Night,” the amazing Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas,” and the diva herself, Diana Ross’ “Silver Bells.” They’re festive, recognizable, and lyric-safe for all ages so that everyone will be singing along.
Motown’s distinctive “Detroit sound” is pure polished pop-soul with tight rhythm sections, lush harmonies, crossover hooks. Other soul/R&B can be rawer or gospel-leaning. We love them all! They work great together in playlists, both for the holidays and all year.
Aim for 45–75 minutes (15–25 tracks). A reliable blend: 60% classics (Temptations, Jackson 5, Stevie), 25% slower ballads for cozy moments, and 15% modern Motown-style cuts to keep it fresh.
Start with a Motown core for that warm, soulful base. Add a few Blues Christmas Songs for depth and guitar flavor. Sprinkle in high energy tracks from Punk Christmas Songs list to keep the party moving. Drop in a couple Funny Christmas Songs to get smiles and sing alongs. For moments when guests want to belt it out, pull a few picks from your Christmas Caroling Songs. Aim for a flow that alternates tempos and moods, and close on a timeless Motown ballad for a cozy finish to the night.
Why Add Motown Music To Your Christmas Playlist?
Your Christmas playlist has included Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra forever, but you are missing out on some serious Christmas soul if you don’t have Motown songs on your playlist.
Take the smooth vocals of Stevie Wonder or a soulful rendition of Smokey Robinson’s Jingle Bells, these songs seriously improve any holiday playlist. We took a few liberties and mixed the best Motown Christmas songs with modern artists who we think have the same Motown vibes and some serious pipes – like Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Jennifer Hudson. This is a playlist that’s both nostalgic and fresh. It’s the perfect way to fill your home with holiday album magic.
Motown classics elevate any holiday playlist & enhance the mood. The unmistakable Berry Gordy Motown vibe and otherworldly vocals like Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin are songs everyone will love. We also can’t forget about Diana Ross singing Silver Bells!
The amazing harmonies from Motown writers not only stand up over time, but excel over time. These tracks aren’t just songs, they’re Christmas delights that bring the soulful sound of Motown Records into your home, making your holiday season even more magical.
What Are The Best Motown Christmas Songs To Add To Your Holiday Playlist?
Click the link to hear the song!
Upbeat Motown Songs
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town“ – The Jackson 5
- “Jingle Bells“ – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- “Someday at Christmas“ – Stevie Wonder
- “Give Love on Christmas Day“ – Johnny Gill
- “I Want to Come Home for Christmas“ – Marvin Gaye
- “Funky Christmas“ – James Brown
- “This Time of Year“ – The Whispers
- “Purple Snowflakes“ – John Legend
- “Up On The Housetop“ – Pentatonix
- “Please Come Home for Christmas“ – Charles Brown
- “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)“ – Nat King Cole
- “Back Door Santa“ – Clarence Carter
- “Run Rudolph Run“ – Chuck Berry
- “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?“ – The Staple Singers
- “Merry Christmas Baby” – Kelly Clarkson
- “Baby Please Come Home” – Jennifer Hudson
Slower Songs
- “Silent Night“ – The Temptations
- “Silver Bells“ – Diana Ross
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas“ – Luther Vandross
- “O Holy Night“ – Patti LaBelle
- “This Christmas“ – Donny Hathaway
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas“ – The Isley Brothers
- “The Christmas Song“ – Aretha Franklin
- “Every Year, Every Christmas“ – Luther Vandross
- “What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?“ – The Emotions
- “Who Would Imagine a King“ – Whitney Houston
- “Let It Snow“ – Boyz II Men
- “Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas“ – The O’Jays
- “The Christmas Song“ – Gladys Knight & The Pips
- “Carol of the Bells“ – Yolanda Adams
What Defines A Motown Christmas Song?
Motown Records produced some of the most iconic seasonal songs, like The Temptations’ Christmas Card, which included their unforgettable version of Silent Night.
Adding these classics to your playlist ensures that your Christmas celebrations are packed with soulful melodies and holiday cheer.
Whether you’re trimming the tree to the velvety sounds of Luther Vandross, or dancing around the room to Boyz II Men’s “Let It Snow,” the soul-filled spirit of Motown Christmas albums adds amazing song and vibes to your holiday season.
30 Essential Motown Christmas Songs for Your Holiday Playlist
We hope this list of the Best Motown Christmas songs has given you lots of great additions to your playlist. We have loved listening to these songs while we were making this list. Don’t risk a silent night at your events! We know the jolly guy and Mrs. Claus would certainly approve and be dancing along.
If you are looking for more Christmas season ideas, inspiration and vibes, we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to it! Go check it out for more ideas and inspiration!
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Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Enjoy Kwanzaa, and Season’s Greetings to all! 🎷🎵✨
Slowestuff