Ring in the holiday season with our favorite Italian Christmas crooners.
When it comes to celebrating the Christmas season, Italians know that there are only three things you need to create a festive atmosphere: food, family, and music.
That’s why America Domani created The Ultimate Italian Christmas Playlist, where holiday standards from icons Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin mingle with favorites from modern legends such as Andrea Bocelli and Lady Gaga.
So, gather ‘round those you love and immerse yourself in the comfort and joy of these beloved Christmas songs.
Listen to this playlist on Spotify!
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Frank Sinatra
Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane’s 1943 holiday classic has been remade almost countless times by now. Michael Buble, Christina Aguilera, and Sam Smith have all covered the song – and done it justice. Even so, no artist handles the song quite as tenderly as Old Blue Eyes.
“Winter Wonderland,” Tony Bennett
In 1968, Tony Bennett released his first Christmas album, Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. The album went platinum in the United States and remains a holiday favorite to this day. Bennett’s smooth voice and pure charisma make “Winter Wonderland” feel fresh even after countless listens.
“White Christmas,” Lady Gaga
Listening to Lady Gaga perform “White Christmas,” it’s not difficult to hear Tony Bennett’s immense influence on the star. The track was recorded in 2011 as part of A Very Gaga Thanksgiving, an ABC TV special. Though Gaga did not go on to release a full Christmas album, we hope that someday she will.
“Silent Night,” Frank Sinatra
This playlist could very easily be overtaken by Sinatra if not for self-control. However, it wouldn’t be considered “Ultimate” if it left out Sinatra’s version of “Silent Night.” Through music, Sinatra beautifully conveys the holiness and reverence found in moments of calm, quiet peace.
“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Dean Martin
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” has caught its share of flack as popular culture has (rightly) become more vocal about the necessity of consent. Still, it’s unerasable from the Christmas canon, and Dean Martin’s 1959 recording can be enjoyed for its coy flirtatiousness that was fitting for the time.
“Frosty The Snowman,” Jimmy Durante
For generations of people, the sound of Jimmy Durante’s thick, gravelly voice singing “Frosty the Snowman” harkens back to childhood Christmas memories. One can’t help but smile when Durante begins the story of the snowman with a corncob pipe and a button nose.
“Dominick The Donkey,” Lou Monte
Does “Dominick the Donkey” deserve to sit between Jimmy Durante and Dean Martin? Absolutely not. If your Italian American family is anything like mine, then they absolutely loathe the Italian Christmas Donkey. However, it’s not really Christmas until someone decides to be a nuisance and sings “Chingedy ching, hee haw hee haw!” (That someone is always me.)
“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” Dean Martin
When Dean Martin released The Dean Martin Christmas Album, he set the standard for Christmas music forevermore. Martin’s “Let It Snow!” is the perfect tune for a cozy night spent around the Christmas tree – or dinner table.
“Silver Bells,” Tony Bennett
Naturally, the world needed more than one Christmas album from Mr. Bennett. In 2008, he released A Swingin’ Christmas Featuring the Count Basie Big Band. Listen to “Silver Bells” and it’s a swingin’ Christmas indeed.
“Blue Christmas,” Dean Martin
Elvis had the definitive version of “Blue Christmas” – until Dean Martin came along and brought even more emotion to the song.
“The Christmas Song,” Connie Francis
Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, may be best known for her pop hits like “Stupid Cupid,” but the Italian American singer also recorded a stellar Christmas Album in 1959 titled Christmas in My Heart. Her take on “The Christmas Song” is a must-listen.
“Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle,” Andrea Bocelli
This revered Italian Christmas song was written in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Its title translates to English as “You Come Down From The Stars,” and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Who better to sing the moving song than Andrea Bocelli?
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” Perry Como
No song gets children quiet in the Christmas spirit like Perry Como’s “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” While many artists have covered the track – most notably Bruce Springsteen – Como’s version remains the holiday standard.
“Winter Wonderland,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
For more than a decade, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have enjoyed a beautiful collaborative relationship. Together, they released two albums and one very special Christmas track: “Winter Wonderland.”
“There’s No Place Like Home for The Holidays,” Perry Como
The song’s title is true: There is no place like home for the holidays. Como’s familiar voice singing the timeless lyrics feels just like coming home to a warm, full house at Christmastime.
“Christmas At Our House,” Lou Monte
“Dominick The Donkey,” isn’t Monte’s only Christmas song. While “Christmas at Our House'' may be the lesser known tune, it’s a cozy tune that celebrates Italian American holiday traditions. Lyrics like “It’s Christmas at our house / Don’t knock, just come inside” will resonate deeply.
“Buon Natale,” Nat King Cole
While African American jazz legend Nat King Cole was not Italian, he did record a particularly festive version of “Buon Natale” that stands in line with the very best Italian Christmas songs.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Dean Martin
For all the yuletide joy of the holidays, Christmastime can also bring up a certain sense of melancholy, too. Dena Martin’s wistful “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” captures this perfectly.
“Jingle Bell Rock,” Laura Pausini
In 2017, Italian songstress Laura Pausini released her Christmas album, Laura Christmas. The album included Italian Christmas songs as well as American holiday classics like “Jingle Bell Rock.
“O tannenbaum,” Andrea Bocelli
Christmas came early this year: Andrea Bocelli released a new Christmas Album titled My Christmas (Fireside Edition). The album is a must-listen for any fan of Bocelli’s – it features collaborations with the Tabernacle Choir and Mary J. Blige. “O Tannenbaum” is a festive addition to any great Christmas playlist.
Natalli Marie Amato
Natalli Amato is a music and lifestyle journalist from Sackets Harbor, New York. Her bylines include Rolling Stone, Vice, and The Boot. She is also the author of several collections of poetry.