Christmas Karaoke Party: Songs, Games & Festive Planning Guide
'Tis the season for singing! A Christmas karaoke party combines two things everyone loves: holiday music and communal fun. Here's your complete guide to hosting a festive karaoke celebration that'll have guests jingling all the way.
Quick Start: Stock up on Christmas classics (everyone knows them), add festive decorations, include some silly holiday games, and don't forget the hot cocoa. Bonus: ugly Christmas sweaters encouraged.
Essential Christmas Karaoke Songs
The Crowd-Pleasers (Everyone Knows These)
| Song | Artist | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| "Jingle Bells" | Traditional | Easy |
| "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" | Traditional | Easy |
| "Frosty the Snowman" | Traditional | Easy |
| "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" | Multiple | Easy |
| "White Christmas" | Bing Crosby | Moderate |
| "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | Multiple | Moderate |
| "Silent Night" | Traditional | Easy |
| "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | Traditional | Easy |
The Showstoppers (For Bold Singers)
| Song | Artist | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|
| "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | Mariah Carey | THE Christmas song |
| "Last Christmas" | Wham! | Nostalgic bop |
| "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" | Brenda Lee | Upbeat classic |
| "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" | Andy Williams | Big sound |
| "Feliz Navidad" | José Feliciano | Bilingual fun |
| "Santa Baby" | Eartha Kitt | Playful flirtation |
| "Blue Christmas" | Elvis | For the crooners |
Group Singalongs
| Song | Perfect For |
|---|---|
| "Jingle Bell Rock" | Everyone joins the chorus |
| "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" | Cozy winter vibes |
| "Winter Wonderland" | Classic charm |
| "Deck the Halls" | Fa la la la la |
| "The Twelve Days of Christmas" | Call and response |
| "O Come, All Ye Faithful" | Traditional group |
Modern Holiday Hits
| Song | Artist | Style |
|---|---|---|
| "Underneath the Tree" | Kelly Clarkson | Pop belter |
| "Christmas Lights" | Coldplay | Emotional |
| "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" | NSYNC | 90s nostalgia |
| "8 Days of Christmas" | Destiny's Child | R&B fun |
| "Mistletoe" | Justin Bieber | Current gen |
| "Santa Tell Me" | Ariana Grande | Pop princess |
Funny/Novelty Christmas Songs
| Song | Artist | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" | Elmo & Patsy | Comedy gold |
| "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" | Gayla Peevey | Silly fun |
| "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" | Multiple | Character performance |
| "Dominick the Donkey" | Lou Monte | Absurdly catchy |
| "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" | Spike Jones | Classic novelty |
Need a Christmas song not on karaoke services? Create custom karaoke from any holiday track.
Christmas Karaoke Games
1. Secret Santa Karaoke
How to play:
- Each guest draws another guest's name
- They must sing a song that represents that person
- Everyone guesses who the song is for
- Reveals at the end
2. Twelve Days of Karaoke
How to play:
- Divide into 12 groups (or individuals)
- Each group gets a verse of "Twelve Days of Christmas"
- Perform in sequence
- Must add silly choreography/props
3. Elf vs. Grinch Battle
How to play:
- Teams: Elves (cheerful songs) vs. Grinches (grumpy songs)
- Elves sing happy holiday songs
- Grinches sing... creatively negative interpretations
- Audience votes on which team wins each round
4. Carol Charades
How to play:
- Person acts out a Christmas song
- Others guess the song
- First to guess correctly performs it
- Combine charades with karaoke!
5. Holiday Mashup Challenge
How to play:
- Draw two Christmas songs
- Combine them into one performance
- "Silent Night" + "Jingle Bells" = creative chaos
- Points for creativity
Festive Decoration Ideas
Transform Your Space
Essentials:
- Christmas lights (lots of them)
- Festive tablecloths
- Inflatable snowman near the "stage"
- Garland around the karaoke setup
The Karaoke Stage:
- Backdrop of gift wrap or lights
- "North Pole Recording Studio" sign
- Tinsel curtain for dramatic entrances
- Festive mic covers (Santa hat on the mic!)
Photo Opportunities
- Ugly sweater wall
- Santa's sleigh props
- "Naughty or Nice" list backdrop
- Reindeer antler headbands for performers
Dress Code Ideas
Ugly Christmas Sweater (Classic)
Award categories:
- Most Lights (yes, light-up sweaters exist)
- Most Tacky
- Best DIY
- Most Creative
Christmas Character Costumes
- Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Elves
- Reindeer
- Snowmen
- Christmas trees
Festive Formal
- Red and green color scheme
- Sparkly holiday attire
- Santa hats with formal wear
Food and Drink
Holiday Snacks
Sweet:
- Christmas cookies
- Candy canes
- Gingerbread
- Peppermint bark
Savory:
- Mini quiches
- Spinach dip in bread bowl
- Meatballs
- Veggie platter with holiday arrangement
Holiday Drinks
Non-Alcoholic:
- Hot cocoa bar (with toppings!)
- Eggnog
- Apple cider (warm or cold)
- Peppermint hot chocolate
Alcoholic (21+):
- Spiked eggnog
- Mulled wine
- Peppermint martinis
- Christmas punch
Singer's Note: Keep water available! Hot chocolate is delicious but not great for vocal cords right before singing.
Timeline for a Christmas Karaoke Party
Sample 3-Hour Party
6:00 PM - Guests arrive, holiday music playing
6:15 PM - Welcome, ugly sweater contest judging
6:30 PM - Group warmup: "Jingle Bells" (everyone)
6:45 PM - Open karaoke begins
7:30 PM - Christmas game (Twelve Days challenge)
8:00 PM - Food break, mingling
8:30 PM - Karaoke continues
9:00 PM - Final songs
9:15 PM - Group finale: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
9:30 PM - Prizes, photos, goodbyes
Awards and Prizes
Award Categories
- 🎅 Best Santa Voice — Deep, jolly performance
- 🎄 Most Festive Performance — Full holiday energy
- ❄️ Best Duet — Perfect duo chemistry
- 🎁 Most Creative — Unique song choice or interpretation
- 🤣 Funniest Performance — Made everyone laugh
- ⭐ Star of the North Pole — Overall best
Prize Ideas
- Christmas ornaments
- Holiday candles
- Gift cards
- Christmas candy
- Mini Christmas stockings with treats
- Lottery scratchers
- Hot cocoa kits
Making It Special
Dedications
- Guests sing to their +1
- Parent-child duets
- Best friend dedications
- Group song for hosts
Memory-Making
- Have a sign-up sheet that becomes a keepsake
- Record short video clips (with permission)
- Create a playlist of songs performed
- Photo booth with holiday props
The "Christmas Miracle" Moment
Plan one special moment:
- Secret group rehearsal of a song for the host
- Surprise visit from "Santa" (who sings!)
- Coordinated group performance
- Proposal opportunity (if you know one's coming!)
Family-Friendly Modifications
For Kids
- Focus on traditional carols they know
- Animated movie songs (Frozen holiday specials)
- Simple games (Musical Chairs to Christmas music)
- Earlier party time (4-7 PM)
- Age-appropriate awards for everyone
Multi-Generational
- Mix decades of Christmas music
- Traditional hymns for older generations
- Modern hits for younger guests
- Duets across generations (grandparent/grandchild)
FAQ
What if guests don't know Christmas songs?
Focus on classics everyone knows: "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." These are embedded in culture.
How many Christmas songs should I prepare?
At least 50 for variety. Mix classics, modern, funny, and group songs. Most karaoke services have extensive holiday collections.
Can I do Christmas karaoke without a full party?
Absolutely! Christmas karaoke night with family or a few friends works great. Less formal, same fun.
What about religious vs. secular songs?
Know your audience. Mixed groups: lean secular. Religious gatherings: include hymns and carols. Ask what guests prefer if unsure.
How do I handle the inevitable "All I Want for Christmas" battle?
Everyone wants to sing it. Options:
- First request wins
- Group performance
- Duet compromise
- Make it the finale everyone joins
Is Christmas karaoke appropriate for work parties?
Yes! Keep song choices workplace-appropriate, limit alcohol, and make participation optional. Great team-building activity.
The Bottom Line
Christmas karaoke works because everyone knows the songs, the season is festive, and holiday music is built for singing together. Don't overthink it — put on some lights, queue up the classics, and let the holiday spirit take over.
The best Christmas karaoke parties are the ones where even the "I don't sing" people end up belting "Feliz Navidad" by the end of the night.
Any Holiday Song, Karaoke-Ready
Create instrumentals from any Christmas track.
- ✅ Obscure holiday favorites
- ✅ Family tradition songs
- ✅ New releases not yet on services
- ✅ Preview before your party
