Updated: December 2024 [Originally posted December 7, 2021]
I had always wanted to make an all-local, holiday season Playlist! ☃️🎄 I Heart Hamilton turned 10 in 2021, and by then, I had come across enough local holiday tunes to round out a festive mix (so far including Hamilton and Burlington in this mix). This is an evolving Playlist that I add to and revisit every holiday season. Are you a local artist who has released holiday music? Let me know!
The Dirty Nil – “Christmas At My House” [Listen]
Trust the Nil to deliver a holiday tune that rips the roof right off!
Arkells – “Pub Crawl” [Listen]
Arkells – “The Last Christmas (We Ever Spend Apart)” [Listen]
Arkells released their first-ever holiday track last year (along with an amazing music video!) and continued the tradition this year. Bonus: Don’t forget to put on that cozy Arkells Fireplace Channel!
Andrew Mrozowski – “It’s Christmastime” [Listen]
Love a rockin’ holiday jam, and Andew Mrozowski is working on more, with a full holiday EP to come!
Thought Beneath Film – “Christmas Day” [Listen]
Throwing it back to this Hamilton pop-punk band’s 2013 single.
Ellevator – “Urge For Going” [Listen]
Ellevator were part of Home For The Holidays, the 2020 compilation Christmas album by Canadian label Arts and Crafts.
Jeremy Fisher – “Economy Xmas” [Listen]
Cutting through the sometimes saccharine holiday tracks, Jeremy describes this single as having melancholic humour: “a catchy little sing-a-long refrain about the woes of holiday-induced credit card debt, and it’s actually pretty fun to sing: I owe, I owe, I owe, I owe. It might be the new E-I-E-I-O.” Check out the delightful music video.
Jeremy and Jazzy – “I Want To Wish” [Listen]
Jeremy Fisher’s children’s project, Jeremy and Jazzy, is a new tv series and musical release. This charming tune sees the characters singing about their favourite parts of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice.
Terra Lightfoot – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” [Listen]
Terra Lightfoot – “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” [Listen]
A double-shot of this lovely singer-songwriter, who added to her holiday repertoire this year with a new one.
Scott Orr – “The Christmas Song (Acoustic Cover) [Listen]
The acoustic sounds of Scott Orr compliment this cozy Christmas cover.
Timid, The Brave – “Christmas Eve” [Listen]
Original Christmas song by Tim Selles that I look forward to revisiting each year.
Myla – “River” [Listen]
Myla, a.k.a. Jennifer Budd, lends her stunning vocals to this Joni Mitchell classic.
Alex Whorms – “This Christmas (It’s Only You And Me)” [Listen]
Alex Whorms – “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” [Listen]
Alex Whorms – “Christmas Morning” [Listen]
Alex Whorms has now released three holiday singles – two originals, and a beautiful rendition of a classic.
Brenda Brown – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” [Listen]
Brenda Brown – “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” [Listen]
A lovely cover of a Christmas staple, plus an Irving Berlin standard, from jazz singer and songwriter Brenda Brown.
Melissa Dutch – “All out of the Blue.” [Listen]
Continuing with the jazzy holiday vibes, singer-songwriter Melissa Dutch shares a lovely original holiday tune.
Roslyn Witter – “This Christmas” [Listen]
Roslyn Witter – “Silver Bells” [Listen]
If you know Roslyn Witter, you know she loves the holidays! This original Christmas tune was written by Roslyn’s brother, and it’s a warm, feel-good holiday song. A couple of years later, Roslyn took on a Christmas classic.
Roseboat – “Star On The Tree” [Listen]
Roseboat, a.k.a. Abby Rose, shares a lovely and nostalgic original track about the things that really matter during the holiday season.
Whitehorse – “Merry Xmas, Baby – Jingle Bell Mix” [Listen]
It’s got to be a fun milestone as a band when you make a holiday album! The band shared A Whitehorse Winter Classic in 2018.
The Redhill Valleys – “One Wish For You, Santa” [Listen]
Country folk rockers The Redhill Valleys share a delightful, original Christmas tune.
William Hendrix Robertson – “The Christmas Table” [Listen]
From his album, The Driver, Burlington musician William Hendrix Robertson a festive jam.
Boxcar BEN – “Sparkle and Shine” [Listen]
Boxcar Ben sees the brighter side with this original track, bringing some joy to the season, even when you don’t feel like it!
Walk Off The Earth – “Happy Hanukkah” feat. Scott Helman [Listen]
Extending this mix to Burlington bands – we gotta have a Hanukkah jam!
Suzie McNeil & Brian Melo – “Mistletoe Miracle” [Listen]
A charming Christmas collaboration with Brain Melo and Suzie McNeil.
Ryan Sykes – “Wishlist – Remix” [Listen]
Ryan Sykes – “Last Christmas” [Listen]
Ryan Sykes – “Under The Mistletoe” ft. Jason Chung [Listen]
Hamilton-based R&B/pop singer Ryan Sykes has released two holiday EPs: This Christmas (2019) and Christmas Wishlist (2020), plus even more festive tracks. Find the full collection of Ryan’s Christmas music with this handy Spotify playlist!
Olivia Purnell – “Christmas Without You” [Listen]
Emerging Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Olivia Purnell shares a lovely and melancholic original Christmas song.
Scarlett & Disher – “Deck The Halls” [Listen]
Scarlett & Disher – “December Nights” [Listen]
Scarlett & Disher – “This Year’s End” [Listen]
This dynamic duo (Laura Scarlett and David Disher) knows how to get festive! Together, they have created the holiday EPs That Christmas Feeling (2014), December Nights (2015), and This Year’s End (2016). I’ve selected a track from each for this mix.
Jamie Barnes – “Frosty the Snowman” [Listen]
Carol of the Barnes – “Feliz Navidad” [Listen]
As part of Jamie Barnes’ Christmas “volumes” project, he released 5-song Christmas EPs 6 years in a row. Jamie also recorded an EP, Happy Christmas 2024, featuring his 7, 9, and 11 year old kids on vocals.
Art Of Time Ensemble – “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” feat. Tom Wilson [Listen]
Tom Wilson showcases his signature growl on this favourite – taken from Art Of Time Ensemble’s album Christmas In Prison, which comprises of performances from the group’s annual holiday show, To All A Good Night.
