Can you guess Ireland's favourite Christmas song? It's not Fairytale of New York

Whether you’re eagerly swapping out your usual playlists to embrace the holiday classics, or begrudgingly tuning into the radio, festive music is hard to escape now that the season has arrived – but what is Ireland’s favourite Christmas song? 

Sports betting and casino site QR Code Generator determined the Christmas songs Ireland is listening to the most according to their Spotify streams over the festive period in 2021-2023. 

The research examined the top 200 hits in Ireland for four weeks in December throughout 2021, 2022 and 2023 and totalled their stream counts to produce an overall ranking of the most popular Christmas songs. 

"All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey was revealed as Ireland’s top Christmas song, with 6,951,412 total streams throughout December 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

The song was first released in 1994 and has become a festive staple worldwide, thanks to the infectious melody, catchy lyrics and Mariah’s iconic vocals. However, it took 25 years to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping the UK charts the year after. As of the week ending 5 December 2024, it is the fourth most streamed song in Ireland on Spotify. 

In second place was “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, reaching 6,240,402 total streams throughout December 2021-2023. 

Brenda Lee’s classic was recorded in 1958 when the star was famously just 13 years old. Now one of the most beloved holiday hits, it has received surges of popularity throughout the years due to cover versions and appearances in films such as Home Alone (1990). 

Following in third was “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl, with 5,817,945 streams over the 2021-2023 festive period. 

Released in 1987, it’s no surprise that a Celtic folk-style ballad by an Anglo-Irish band ranks highly – but its popularity extends far beyond Ireland.

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It has been frequently cited as the best Christmas song of all time by various publications and is acclaimed for rejecting the stereotypically joyous Christmas spirit for a more cynical perspective. 

Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” ranked fourth, generating 5,178,719 total streams in Ireland throughout December 2021, 2022 and 2023. 

The rockabilly track was released in 1957 and is one of the most recognisable Christmas tunes. Despite never reaching the top of the charts in Ireland or the UK, it has been widely performed by other artists, including a 1983 single by Hall & Oates. 

Rounding out the top five was “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé, with the tune reaching 5,090,219 streams throughout December 2021-2023. 

Written by Meredith Wilson in 1951, many artists have released renditions of the song over the years, including Bing Crosby and Perry Como – but it’s the Canadian singer’s version that has garnered the most commercial success. 

The top 10 most popular Christmas songs in Ireland 

• All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey - 6,951,412 
• Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee - 6,240,402
• Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) - The Pogues - 5,817,945
• Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms - 5,178,719
• It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Michael Bublé - 5,090,219
• It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams - 4,645,412
• Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande - 4,470,200
• Last Christmas - Wham! - 4,334,604
• Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens - 4,076,698
• Do They Know It's Christmas? - 1984 Version - Band Aid - 4,067,980