There’s nothing like the right song to set the tone for the holidays. Whether you’re decorating the tree, baking cookies, or taking a quiet moment with a warm drink, holiday music has a magical way of connecting us—across memories, families, and generations. At the Recorded Sound Archives (RSA), we’re surrounded by thousands of recordings that capture the warmth, nostalgia, and joy of this time of year.

This season, we’ve curated a special holiday playlist from the vintage treasures housed in the RSA. From classic crooners to rare gems pressed on 78rpm discs, these selections highlight the timeless charm of Christmas music through the decades. You’ll hear familiar melodies that wrap you in comfort, alongside a few surprises that show just how diverse holiday recordings can be.

Our archives include everything from mid-century orchestral arrangements to early jazz interpretations, vocal quartets, novelty tunes, and beloved standards performed by artists whose voices defined holidays long before digital playlists existed. Every track is a small piece of history—saved, restored, and made accessible thanks to the generosity of donors and the dedication of our team.

To make this playlist even more special, we’re closing with something new: a list of favorite holiday songs chosen by RSA staff. From sentimental classics to upbeat retro favorites, our team shares the music that makes the season meaningful to them. We hope these picks bring you the same joy they bring us each year.

RSA Staff Holiday Playlist

1. Christmas Cookies, Jazz Treats for the Holidays by Various Artists
2. Christmas Dreaming by Frank Sinatra
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Christmas Song by Various Artists
5. See’s Candies Present … Songs of Christmas by Turk Murphy’s San Francisco Jazz Band
6. Dixieland Christmas by The French Quarter Band
7. Here Comes Santa Claus by Eddie Fisher
8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Frank Sinatra
9. O Holy Night by Various Artists
10. The Little Drummer Boy by Boston Pops Orchestra
11. Sleigh Ride by Boston Pops Orchestra
12. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer by Boston Pops Orchestra
13. Silent Night by Franz Gruber
14. The Night Before Christmas by Victor Salon Orchestra & Milton Cross
15. Holy Night by Evan Williams
16. White Christmas by Jascha Heifetz
17. All I Want for Christmas by Spike Jones and his City Slickers
18. O, Come All Ye Faithful by Westminster Chimes

To continue exploring seasonal sounds, we invite you to discover more recordings in our Holiday and Christmas Collection, where you’ll find a wide range of historic performances that reflect how holiday music has been enjoyed across generations.

As a special highlight beyond the RSA, take a moment to listen to Ben Roth’s piano roll performance of “Silent Night”.