Honestly, it’s getting harder to remember a time when the holidays didn't involve a high-ponytail and a whistle note. You know how every December, Mariah Carey emerges from her ice palace to reclaim the throne? Well, right there beside her—maybe in the princess suite—is Ariana Grande. Christmas songs from Ariana Grande have become a weirdly permanent part of the cultural furniture. It isn't just that she's a pop star; it's that she actually treats Christmas music like a serious genre instead of a cheesy paycheck.
Most artists release one festive album and then never speak of it again. Ariana? She gave us two distinct EPs, a massive modern standard, and a handful of collaborations that range from soulful to "wait, did she really just sing that?"
The "Santa Tell Me" Phenomenon
If we’re talking about Christmas songs from Ariana Grande, we have to start with the elephant in the room. Or rather, the reindeer in the room. "Santa Tell Me" isn't just a hit. It's a monster. Released in 2014, it took about a decade to truly ripen into a "standard." As of early 2026, it regularly hits the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 every single December.
Why does it work?
It’s the anxiety. Most Christmas songs are about being deliriously happy or tragically lonely. "Santa Tell Me" is about that specific, modern fear of: "I like this person, but if I bring them to the family party and we break up in January, the photos are ruined forever." It’s relatable. It’s catchy. Plus, that music video where she’s just hanging out in a onesie with her real-life friends made it feel like a home movie rather than a high-budget production.
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By the Numbers (2025-2026 Update)
- Total Streams: "Santa Tell Me" has officially crossed the 1.5 billion mark on Spotify.
- Chart Longevity: It is now the highest-ranking holiday song released in the 21st century, often outperforming classics from the 60s and 70s.
- Royalties: Estimates suggest the song generates nearly $1 million in songwriting royalties every year.
The Secret Cult of Christmas & Chill
If you ask a casual fan about her holiday music, they’ll say "Santa Tell Me." If you ask a "stan," they’ll tell you that Christmas & Chill is her best body of work. Period.
Released as a surprise in 2015, this EP was recorded in less than a week in her home studio. It doesn't sound like Jingle Bells. It sounds like a late-night R&B record that happens to mention mistletoe. Songs like "Wit It This Christmas" and "December" are smooth, trap-influenced, and—let's be real—pretty suggestive.
"Twas a long, productive slumber party," Ariana famously tweeted about the recording sessions.
There’s a reason this EP gets re-pressed on vinyl almost every year. It’s not for the kids. It’s for the people who want a holiday vibe that doesn't feel like a Hallmark movie. "Winter Things" is a personal favorite because it’s basically a song for people in Florida or LA who are sweating in 80-degree weather but still want to pretend it’s snowing.
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The Collaboration Era: From Mariah to Kelly
Ariana doesn't just stay in her own lane during the holidays. She’s become the go-to feature for everyone else’s festive projects.
- "Oh Santa!" (with Mariah Carey & Jennifer Hudson): This was the "Avengers Assemble" moment of vocalists. When Mariah tapped Ariana for the remix in 2020, it felt like a passing of the torch. That moment where they harmonize their whistle notes? That’s 2020 history right there.
- "Santa, Can’t You Hear Me" (with Kelly Clarkson): This song is a vocal powerhouse. Released on Kelly’s When Christmas Comes Around... album, it’s become a massive radio staple. It’s brassy, loud, and incredibly difficult to sing at karaoke (don't try it unless you've warmed up).
- "It Was A... (Masked Christmas)": Remember this Jimmy Fallon fever dream? Ariana, Megan Thee Stallion, and Jimmy Fallon singing about getting booster shots and staying safe. It’s a very specific time capsule of 2021, but her vocals were, as usual, pristine.
The "Christmas Kisses" Origins
We can't forget where it started. In 2013, we got Christmas Kisses. This was "Baby Ariana" era. It’s much more traditional than her later work. She covered Wham!’s "Last Christmas" but added her own R&B spin to it, which was a bold move for a newcomer.
The standout here is "Snow In California." It’s a ballad where she’s literally asking Santa to make it snow in LA so her boyfriend can’t fly out and leave her. It’s sweet, simple, and shows off the Disney-star-to-Pop-Princess transition perfectly. Interestingly, the Japanese version of this EP is the one that actually includes "Santa Tell Me," making it the "definitive" version for collectors.
Why People Get Her Holiday Music Wrong
A lot of critics used to dismiss these tracks as "seasonal fluff." They were wrong.
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Ariana’s holiday discography is actually a masterclass in branding. She took a "safe" genre and injected it with her specific DNA: trap beats, 90s R&B harmonies, and lyrics that feel like a text message. She didn't try to be Bing Crosby. She tried to be herself, just with more tinsel.
Actionable Insights for Your Festive Playlist
If you’re building your winter rotation, don't just dump all Christmas songs from Ariana Grande into one folder. They have different vibes.
- For the Party: Put "Santa Tell Me" and the "Oh Santa!" remix at the top. They keep the energy high.
- For the "Vibe": Play Christmas & Chill from start to finish. It’s only about 13 minutes long anyway. It works perfectly for dinner parties where you don't want the music to be annoying.
- For the Vocals: Queue up "Santa, Can't You Hear Me." It’s the ultimate "show-off" song.
The reality is that Ariana has secured her retirement fund through these songs alone. As long as there are people who want to feel festive without feeling "old-fashioned," her holiday music will be playing in malls and headphones until the end of time. If you haven't given the Christmas & Chill EP a full listen yet, you’re missing out on the best "secret" project in her entire career. Go fix that before the snow melts.