Can a New Song Win Christmas Number One This Year in the UK?

From Kylie’s Amazon-exclusive hit to revived classics, this guide profiles the fresh contenders for the coveted Christmas number one in the UK this year, with insights into why each track could rise.

UK's Christmas chart race is heating up as streaming reshapes how the festive No. 1 is decided. A blend of new releases and revived classics has fans weighing up traditional favourites against modern pop.

While December charts often lean on evergreen tracks, this year’s field features several strong contenders across different styles, from glittering pop to nostalgic house and orchestral collaborations. The path to No. 1 could swing on exclusive releases, streaming boosts, and how listeners command their devices to play seasonal tunes.

Kylie - XMAS

Getty Images Kylie Minogue wears a flowing red dress as she stands next to a plinth with a large red button on the top that reads 'Battersea Power Station', with sparkler fireworks shooting up behind her next to a Christmas tree, as she turns on the Christmas lights at the power station in November.

Kylie Minogue is the strongest challenger this year with a glowingly festive pop track created for the 10th anniversary of her Christmas album. Written during a break from touring, the song captures the holiday spirit with bright, sparkling production.

The release is an Amazon-exclusive, which helps boost its visibility as listeners trigger smart speakers to play Christmas tunes, nudging the song up the UK Top 40 with every stream.

Tom Fletcher - One Of Us

Getty Images Tom Fletcher holds his arms wide open as he sings into a microphone with a 'flying V' style guitar slung around his neck and shoulders, wearing a white shirt and black trousers against a colouful background during the Busted vs McFly tour at Wembley in September.

Tom Fletcher of McFly reveals a lifelong love for Christmas, turning a longstanding idea into a heartfelt ballad. The track originated as part of a Paddington musical score, lending warmth and family values to the festive season.

With its theatre-meets-pop feel, the song emphasizes kindness and togetherness, echoing the era when Christmas songs become cherished family anthems.

Alison Limerick - Where Love Lives

Richard Isaac / Shutterstock Alison Limerick sings passionately into a microphone while wearing large circular gold earrings and a cardigan at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London in 2017.

Alison Limerick’s late-1990s piano-house classic has reemerged in the spotlight thanks to its use in a major department store advert. The revival appeals to clubgoers who remember its dancefloor roots and also introduces the track to a new audience.

She notes there wasn’t an official launch in the original release, which makes this resurgence feel fresh for today’s music fans and shoppers alike.

Laufey - Winter Wonderland

Penske Media via Getty Images Laufey beams as she sings into a microphone with confetti falling all around her and stage lights in the background, wearing a flowing white dress while performing on stage at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on 31 December 2024.

Laufey brings a cozy, timeless vibe with a jazzy twist on the classic Winter Wonderland. The expanded edition of her Christmas EP features a serene version of the 1934 standard that could lift her into the UK Top 10 for the first time.

Her relaxed approach to the song, paired with a fresh arrangement, aims to capture listeners eager for warm holiday sounds amid a busy festive season.

Roland Gift - Everybody Knows It's Christmas

Redferns / Getty Images Roland Gift poses for a photograph while leaning against the wall of a dirty, delapidated kitchen with graffiti all over it and holds a mug while looking at the camera wearing a denim top, taken in 1980.

Roland Gift marks the 40th anniversary of Fine Young Cannibals with a new Christmas track that leans into warmth and communal cheer. The song reframes earlier darker ideas into a bright chorus designed to lift listeners’ spirits during the festive season.

Emily Fern featuring Bez and the London Symphony Orchestra - Christmas Dream

Emily Fern Emily Fern looks directly at the camera while wearing a red dress and posing for a publicity shot against a white background, she has long blonde hair.

Emily Fern from Guernsey wrote this twinkling Christmas ballad by chance in a church hall and later recorded it with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road. Bez even joined the session to play triangle, adding a festive sparkle to the orchestral arrangement.

Alya featuring Eric Clapton - Silent Night

Julia Mayorova Alya wearing a silver silk dress and heels poses for a publicity shot while smiling and sitting down in a studio against a maroon background.

Alya, describing Christmas as her favorite holiday, delivers a serene read of Silent Night in a collaboration described as featuring Eric Clapton. The warm guitar tones echo Clapton’s iconic style, and the track was completed during a hot spell, which some listeners find adds a surprising glow to this winter classic.

As the countdown to Christmas continues, fans can expect a lively mix of new voices and familiar tunes competing for a place on the nation’s festive playlist.

Expert commentary

Music industry analyst notes that streaming data now plays a larger role in the charts, giving fresh, seasonally tuned songs a real edge. A second expert adds that exclusive releases, like Kylie’s Amazon drop, can boost visibility through voice-enabled listening and smart speaker activity.

Short summary

Summary: This year’s Christmas No. 1 race is unusually open, with a mix of lively new tracks and revived classics. The combination of streaming power, retailer exclusives, and seasonal campaigns makes the outcome harder to predict than ever, offering fans a festive, varied countdown.