When Should Your Radio Start Playing Christmas Music?

Do you hear what I hear? Some radio stations have already started playing their Christmas music. We are now fully into the holiday season, but it’s always useful to understand when and how to organise your Christmas programming for this year and the years to come. In this article, we will try to answer all your questions about this period that smells of spruce and sweet treats, along with the latest 2025 trends to guide your radio station.

Is it too early to play Christmas music on your radio?

Some will tell you it’s never too early to start broadcasting Christmas music, but it’s not that simple! No offense to Mariah Carey fans, but Christmas music remains linked to a specific period, and it is important to respect certain benchmarks so as not to tire your listeners.

In the United States, it is traditional to wait until Thanksgiving before flooding the airwaves with festive songs. However, in recent years, many stations are adopting a trend called “Christmas creep”: some start as early as the beginning or middle of November, responding to increasing public demand. In Europe, even if shop windows start twinkling the day after Halloween, December 1st remains a solid reference for most radio stations.

Generally, a gradual build-up from late November offers a smooth transition. If you are reading this article in December, rest assured: you are perfectly within the right period to ramp up your festive atmosphere on the air.

Why is it important to broadcast this type of music on your radio?

Radio stations and major media play an essential role during this time: they are the ones who carry and perpetuate the magic of Christmas. Every song of the season acts as a strong emotional benchmark that people love to share with family or friends.

If you don’t follow this trend, you risk losing some listeners who are looking for a warmer atmosphere. Conversely, if your audience doesn’t fully embrace the Christmas theme, an alternative exists: creating a radio station 100% dedicated to the holidays for a limited time. A perfect solution to cater to all sensibilities without distorting your editorial line.

Are you finding it hard to imagine how to transform your radio for the holidays? Don’t panic, we explain everything in this article.

What music should you broadcast on your radio for Christmas?

Your programming will depend on the general style of your radio. A rock radio, for example, will favour revisited versions to maintain its identity. However, some tracks are true essentials to instantly set the Christmas spirit:

• Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
• Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Bublé
• All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
• Last Christmas – Wham!
• It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby
• I Wish You a Merry Christmas – Bing Crosby
• Sleigh Ride – The Carpenters
• Vive Le Vent – Dalida
• One Wish – Whitney Houston

To enrich your playlist, feel free to explore the many selections available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music or Deezer.

Are there radio stations that only play Christmas music?

Yes, and their number is constantly growing! Some radio stations are entirely dedicated to Christmas, whether they are ephemeral or active all year round. For example, RADIO NOEL offers a unique mix of festive music and atmosphere from October 1st to January 31st.

Creating such a seasonal radio station is an excellent strategy to attract a new audience, enrich your offering, and meet the growing demand for festive content.

Don’t have a radio station yet? Why not take advantage of this period to start your own internet radio station by clicking on the button below.