10 Of The Best 1930s Christmas Songs — Festive Classics From The Thirties
Discover the best 1930s Christmas songs, from Jingle Bells to Irving Berlin classics. Ten wonderful festive tunes from the thirties you need to hear!
Last updated: April 2026
Long before Top of the Pops existed the 1930s Christmas songs that filled Britain’s dance halls wireless sets and cinema halls were every bit as magical and toe tapping as the festive classics we love today.
In fact you will be genuinely surprised by just how many of these wonderful 1930s Christmas songs you already know and love!
From Irving Berlin’s timeless I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm to Benny Goodman’s gloriously swinging take on Jingle Bells, the thirties produced some of the most enduringly beautiful festive music ever recorded.
So settle in grab a mince pie and let’s count them down together. The official UK charts didn’t exist in the 1930, but these ten songs were the biggest and most beloved festive tunes.
The Songs That Defined A Decade – 1930s Christmas Songs
Winter Wonderland — Richard Himber & His Orchestra (1934)
Originally recorded in 1934 this is one of the most known 1930s Christmas songs. Richard Himber’s version was the definitive recording of the era.
🎵 Listen on YouTube →
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town — Haven Gillespie & J. Fred Coots (1934)
First performed on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934, it became an instant sensation and one of the most covered Christmas songs of all time.
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm — Ray Noble & His Orchestra (1937)
Written by Irving Berlin in 1937 this wonderful swing era classic became one of the most recognisable Christmas songs of the decade and remains a firm favourite today.
Jingle Bells — Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1935)
The King of Swing’s gloriously upbeat take on this timeless classic became THE definitive swing era version, utterly irresistible and still brilliant today.
What Will Santa Claus Say — Louis Prima (1935)
A wonderfully fun and energetic song from the brilliant Louis Prima and hugely popular in the dance halls of the mid thirties and still charming today.
The Way You Look Tonight — Fred Astaire (1936)
Not strictly a Christmas song, however, one of the most played and beloved romantic songs of the entire decade and a firm favourite at Christmas dances throughout the thirties.
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer — Gene Autry (1939)
Actually written AND published in 1939, making it a genuine 1930s Christmas song! The story of Rudolph was originally created by Robert L May as a promotional booklet for Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939.
Gene Autry then recorded the song version which became one of the best selling singles of all time.
Good King Wenceslas — Various Artists
The traditional carol was recorded by numerous artists throughout the thirties and was one of the most performed and broadcast Christmas songs of the decade on BBC Radio.
White Christmas — Bing Crosby
Technically White Christmas wasn’t released until 1942, but here’s the thing. Irving Berlin wrote this timeless masterpiece in 1940 drawing on memories and emotions that were firmly rooted in the late 1930s spirit.
We think that makes it close enough to earn its place on our list and frankly no 1930s Christmas music celebration would feel complete without it!
Deck The Halls — Traditional
No Christmas gathering in 1930s Britain was complete without a rousing chorus of Deck The Halls. Whether sung around the piano at home performed by the local church choir or broadcast on BBC Radio this gloriously festive carol filled Britain with Christmas spirit throughout the thirties, and continues to do so today.
Where To Listen To 1930s Christmas Songs Today?
Finding these wonderful 1930s Christmas songs today is easier than you might think and many are completely free to enjoy.
Spotify and YouTube both have brilliant collections of thirties Christmas music and Amazon Music has some gorgeous vintage compilation albums perfect for setting the festive mood
🔗 1930s Christmas Music Compilation — Amazon UK
That’s it! Ten wonderful 1930s Christmas songs that prove festive music has always had the power to warm the heart lift the spirits and bring people together no matter how difficult the times.
Pour yourself something festive press play and let the magic of the thirties fill your home this Christmas!
👉 Discover more about music in the 1930s? Don’t miss our Experience A Family Christmas In The 1930s for the full picture of festive life in the thirties!
🎄 Christmas Countdown 🎄
The magic of Christmas is just around the corner!
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