30+ Popular Christmas Songs in the Public Domain

Discover over 30 popular traditional Christmas songs in the public domain, perfect for your holiday projects. Any song released before 1928 is typically in the public domain, allowing you to use them freely without licensing concerns. While this guide features many beloved carols, there may be additional Christmas songs not included here.

How to Use These Public Domain Christmas Songs

These carols are ideal for adding to your YouTube videos, school plays, community events, personal projects, and small business marketing. Use them as background music for holiday content, enhance performances or gatherings, and create a warm seasonal atmosphere in ads and social media posts—all without copyright restrictions. Public domain songs are a valuable resource for musicians, filmmakers, educators, content creators, and event planners. They provide the freedom to incorporate timeless music into your projects, saving costs and ensuring compliance.

Christmas Songs You Can Use Without Restrictions

Traditional Carols (Pre-1800)

• The Twelve Days of Christmas (1500): This carol was originally a memory-and-forfeits game played during Twelfth Night celebrations.

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1500): A cheerful carol rooted in the tradition of carolers demanding figgy pudding from wealthy households.

• Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella (1553): A French carol traditionally sung by villagers as they brought gifts to the Nativity scene.

• Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (1559): A German hymn inspired by Isaiah’s prophecy, symbolizing the Virgin Mary and the birth of Christ.

• The Wassail Song (1600): "Wassailing" was a medieval tradition where carolers offered blessings in exchange for food or drink.

• Angels We Have Heard on High (1700): Known for its iconic "Gloria in excelsis Deo" refrain, this carol hails from France.

• Auld Lang Syne (1711): Originally a Scottish folk tune, it later became a symbol of New Year’s Eve and reflection.

• While Shepherds Watched (1728): One of the few hymns approved for use in the Anglican Church in the early 18th century.

• O Come All Ye Faithful (1751): Written in Latin as "Adeste Fideles," this carol has been translated into over 100 languages.

• Deck the Halls (1800): A lively Welsh tune originally about celebrating New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas.

• O Christmas Tree (1800): Based on a German folk song that celebrates the enduring beauty of the evergreen tree.

Religious Hymns (1800-1900)

• God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (1827): One of the oldest English carols, it was referenced in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

• I Saw Three Ships (1833): This carol likely refers to the ships that carried the relics of the Three Wise Men.

• The First Noel (1833): A traditional English carol celebrating the birth of Christ, with "Noel" meaning "Christmas" in French.

• Joy to the World (1836): Written by Isaac Watts, it’s based on Psalm 98 and celebrates Christ’s triumphant return.

• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (1840): Initially set to a slower melody, it gained popularity with Mendelssohn's lively arrangement.

• O Holy Night (1847): Written in France, this was the first Christmas song broadcast on radio in 1906.

• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1850): This hymn focuses on themes of peace and goodwill, inspired by social struggles of its time.

• Here We Come A-Caroling (1850): Also known as "Here We Come A-Wassailing," it’s rooted in the tradition of singing for treats.

• Good King Wenceslaus (1853): The story of a kind king bringing food to a peasant during a harsh winter.

• Jingle Bells (1857): Originally written for Thanksgiving, it’s now one of the most famous Christmas songs.

• We Three Kings (1857): The first widely popular Christmas carol written in America.

• Go Tell It on the Mountain (1865): A spiritual that became a Christmas favourite, emphasising Christ’s birth as a moment of joy.

• What Child is This? (1865): Set to the tune of "Greensleeves," it beautifully reflects on the Nativity scene.

• Angels from the Realms of Glory (1867): Written by James Montgomery, this carol invites everyone to worship the newborn Christ.

• O Little Town of Bethlehem (1868): Inspired by the author's visit to Bethlehem, it conveys the serenity of Christ’s birthplace.

• Up on the Housetop (1870): One of the first Christmas songs focused on Santa Claus.

• Jolly Old St. Nicholas (1870): A playful song imagining Santa receiving letters from children.

• The Holly and the Ivy (1871): Symbolizes Christian beliefs, with holly representing Christ’s crown of thorns.

• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (1872): Inspired by a poem written during the American Civil War, it expresses hope for peace.

• Silent Night (1818): First performed on Christmas Eve in Austria with a guitar because the church organ was broken.

Secular Favourites (1900+)

• Toyland (1903): A nostalgic song from the operetta Babes in Toyland, evoking childhood wonder.

• Gesu Bambino (1917): An Italian-inspired hymn celebrating the birth of the "Child Jesus."

• Coventry Carol (Traditional): A melody that references the biblical Massacre of the Innocents.

• In the Bleak Midwinter (Traditional): A contemplative carol with lyrics by poet Christina Rossetti.

• O Come, O Come, Emanuel (Traditional): A Latin hymn expressing the anticipation of Christ’s birth.

• Once in Royal David's City (Traditional): Often the opening hymn for Christmas services in Anglican churches.

Ready to play these carols on your kalimba?

Check out our Christmas Kalimba eBook, featuring easy-to-follow tabs for popular public domain songs. Perfect for kalimba players of all levels. Get your Christmas kalimba player eBook now and bring festive cheer to your kalimba performances!