Christmas can be one of the most charitable times of the year. It is in that spirit that we at CBC Music bring to you the gift of music.
OK, it’s true, we do that every day, but starting today we’re bringing you the gift of Christmas music. Hours of music expertly curated into 15 streams that can get you through the holiday season. We’re pretty pumped about them, and we think you’re going to like them, too. Click on the stream name to start listening.
Reclaimed Winter Solstice
Music for the shortest days and longest nights of the year. Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Indigenous songs for the holidays, with music from PIQSIQ, Tom Jackson, Robbie Robertson and more.
Canadian Holidays
This festive music selection showcases our rich tapestry of languages, with songs from Manitoban Chantal Kreviazuk to Quebec’s Beau Dommage to Inuit musician Susan Aglukark.
Classical Holidays
The Classical Holidays stream is a yearly tradition here at CBC Music. Looking for a steady stream of Christmas concertos, carols and choral music? We’ve got you covered.
Seasonal Favourites
Enjoy Bing, Bublé, Bocelli and more singing all of your holiday faves without suiting up to head to the mall to hear them. These pop and jazz standards are the modern sounds of Christmas.
Pop Christmas
If you’re a musician, one of the smartest things you can do is release a Christmas song. Wham!, Madonna and Lady Gaga learned from the lessons laid down by Handel, Brahms and Leroy Anderson and created original holiday classics that you’ll be singing for decades to come.
Marvin’s Room Christmas
From R&B renditions of Chrsitmas classics to remixed carols, this stream covers it all. Hear James Brown’s “Soulful Christmas,” Jully Black’s “Christmas Song,” Jackson 5 singing “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and more.
Country Christmas
Brett Kissel, Corb Lund, Leann Rimes and more sing some Christmas classics along with original holiday tunes, each one with a distinct country feel.
Jazz Loves Christmas
Christmas standards that are anything but! Scat along with your favourite artists performing “You’re a Mean One Mr.Grinch” (Tim Tamashiro), “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (Oscar Peterson), “Frosty the Snowman” and more.
Gospel Christmas
Listen to Christmas classics in the gospel tradition featuring such artists as Odetta, Montreal Jubilation Choir, Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, Andrew Craig, Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Lou Rawls, Gospel Choir Celebration and more.
Christmas Blues
Join us for the ultimate blue, blue, blue Christmas with songs from B.B. King, Bessie Smith, Shakura S’Aida, Matt Anderson, Sharon Jones, Elvis and more.
Global Christmas
Take a trip this Christmas with music from — or inspired by — all over the world. You’ll hear music from South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, the Caribbean and Africa, with the African Children’s Choir, Fairuz, Heidi Igualada, Sultans of String and more.
Noël
While waiting for Père Noël, and sculpting the perfect bonhomme de neige, why not settle in with traditional carols and beautiful modern classics en français? Hear songs like “Noel Blanc,” “Nous Sommes Trois Souverains Princes,” “Anges de Neige” and more.
Alt Christmas
This stream is the ugly sweater of Christmas music: it’s not for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a seat at the table. Clarence Carter’s “Back Door Santa,” the mighty Miss Sharon Jones’s “Ain’t no Chimneys in the Projects” and Bryan Adams’s “Reggae Christmas” (wait, what?) all have a home here. For those who like their Christmas jams with a twist.
Folk Christmas
With his perfect white beard, corn-cob pipe and black suspenders it should be obvious to all that Santa is a folk-loving saint. Listen to songs by Mountain Band, Sufjan Stevens, Natalie Macmaster, Great Big Sea, Good Lovelies and more.
Christmas Jewels
Julie Nesrallah offers you her favourite sparkling holiday gems to decorate your Christmas. From Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s “Little Drummer Boy” to Luciano Pavarotti singing “O Holy Night,” Julie’s Christmas Jewels helps to make your holiday season merry and musical. Hear Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland Nat King Cole, Kathleen Battle and more.