Is it that time of year again? Of course it is. The time when Mariah Carey thaws out of her eleven-month cryogenic sleep and takes over the airwaves with the force of a natural disaster. But let's be honest - even if we roll our eyes, December would just be a cold and gray month without these tunes. We've put together a list that's not just a soundtrack, but pure emotion. This is our NEW YEAR'S PLAYLIST 2026.
But this year we have a surprise for you. In addition to the iron classics, we are at added to the end of the list “an experiment” – a piece that will defined your transition into 2026. Pour yourself a cup of tea, put on that horrible knitted sweater and press play – that's it – TOP NEW YEAR'S PLAYLIST 2026.
1. Inevitable Queen: Mariah Carey – “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
Let's start with the obvious, because there's no other way. There are two types of people: those who start dancing wildly at the first sound of this song, and those who lie. This song is an anthem. It's the sonic equivalent of glitter that you can't get off the carpet three months after the New Year. Did you know that Mariah makes millions every year from this song without lifting a finger? This is the energy we're aiming for in 2026. Adding it to the list New Year's playlist!
2. Heartbreaking Nostalgia: Wham! – “Last Christmas”
Ah, George Michael and his perfect hairdo amidst the snowy mountains. “Last Christmas” is proof that you can dance with a broken heart. It’s the ultimate song for all the dramatic souls who reminisce about their past loves over hot chocolate during the holidays. The 80s synths are so powerful here that they’ll teleport you back to a time when jacket straps were wider than your neck.
3. Mr. Christmas Himself: Michael Bublé – “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
It is said that Michael Bublé spends the rest of the year in a cave somewhere in northern Canada, only coming out when the temperature drops below zero. His voice is like a warm cashmere hug. When he sings the first notes, cinnamon-scented candles spontaneously light up in your living room. Bublé doesn't bring shock, he brings security. The feeling that the world is in order and that the cookies in the oven aren't burnt.
4. For cynics with good taste: The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York”
If the previous three suggestions have given you a spike in blood sugar, this is the antidote. This is a Christmas song for people who don't like Christmas songs. Drunk, rough, full of insults, but also one of the most beautiful ballads in history. Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl sing about broken dreams in New York, and there's so much sincerity in their duet that it'll make your heart ache. The perfect indie choice for a third round at the pub.
5. Vintage Fun: Brenda Lee – “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree”
Before Mariah took over, Brenda ruled the roost. This song is over 60 years old, but it sounds like it was recorded for yesterday's TikTok trend. It has that real rockabilly beat that makes you want to shake your hips while you hang your decorations. Fun fact: Brenda was only 13 when it was recorded! The song is short, sweet, and as bubbly as a glass of champagne.
6. Pop Princesses: Ariana Grande – “Santa Tell Me”
Generation Z and millennials know that a Christmas playlist needs a modern twist. Ariana Grande has created a Christmas hit that isn't annoying. It's playful, sexy, and just right. The song is about that classic fear: is it even worth falling in love during the holidays? Ariana asks the right questions while sounding like an angel in high heels.
7. Melancholy on the Road: Chris Rea – “Driving Home for Christmas”
This is not a party song, this is a driving song. For that moment when you're stuck in traffic, it's snowing outside, the trunk is full of presents, and you're tired but happy. Chris Rea conjures up an atmosphere of anticipation with his raspy voice. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey and knowing that a warm home-cooked meal awaits you at the end. A song that shouldn't be missing from your NEW YEAR'S PLAYLIST 2026.
8. Cool Factor: Sia – “Snowman”
If you want to come across as someone who doesn't just listen to commercial stations, add Sio to your list. “Snowman” is hypnotic ballad, which plays with metaphors of melting and love. Sija's vocals are flawless, and the rhythm creates an intimate atmosphere, suitable for an evening gathering by the fireplace, as the debate revolves around New Year's resolutions.
🔥 EXCLUSIVE: 'Must-have' for the transition to 2026
9. Experiment of the year: “Midnight 2025 (Kiss Me Into 2026)”
Forget Auld Lang Syne. If you're looking for a song that will defined that electric moment when the clock strikes midnight, is this it. “Midnight 2025” is a fresh sound experiment that comes straight from a Slovenian studio, but sounds like it was produced in the hottest club in Berlin or New York.
Why is it on this list? Because it's the ultimate New Year's Eve Party Anthem 2026.
The creators set themselves the task of capturing the adrenaline of a midnight kiss in a single track – and they succeeded. It's bold, it's catchy and it carries that energy of a "new beginning" that we all desperately need. This is proof that Slovenian production doesn't just follow trends, it sets them. If you want to be that DJ at a party who "discovers" the next big thing before it becomes mainstream, play this at exactly 23:57.
👉 Listen to the anthem here: Midnight 2025 (Kiss Me Into 2026)
Available on all streaming platforms – add to your NYE playlist:
🎧 Spotify
🎧 Apple Music & iTunes
🎧 YouTube Music
🎧 SoundCloud
Editorial advice for the TOP NEW YEAR'S PLAYLIST 2026: Don't be afraid to mix genres. The best playlist takes you from tears of nostalgic happiness (Wham!) to the euphoria of the future (Midnight 2025). The holidays are chaotic - so should your music. Merry Christmas and may your speakers last until 2026!
