Snow is on the ground, bands are revealing green and red merch, and peppermint mocha is on coffee shop menus across the nation…it’s Christmas time, baby!
While your holiday playlists may feature MxPx‘s Punk Rawk Christmas, blink-182‘s many festive hits, Fall Out Boy‘s “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out,” and My Chemical Romance‘s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” you may have forgotten about these emo holiday bangers, and need to add them to your round-up immediately.
The Ready Set
Sure, The Ready Set appeared on Punk Goes Christmas with “I Don’t Want To Spend Another Christmas Without You,” but do you remember his 2010 Regifted EP? We do, and we can’t stop listening to his original song “Wishlist” and his cover of “Wonderful Christmastime.” It has everything you could want: synths that’ll invoke feelings from your Myspace days and Jordan Witzigreuter’s beautiful pipes.
Family Force 5
Thank God for YouTube, because this dazzling Christmas crunk album from Family Force 5 is not currently available on Spotify. FF5’s Christmas Pageant is just *chef’s kiss* with covers of “Carol Of The Bells” and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” among others. Plus, the 2009 LP features an original Christmas anthem, “The Baby,” with lyrics such as “Comin’ on a ride/Away from my hood/Got You some Incense/’Cuz it smells so good.” Iconic, right?
You can listen to the full playlist here, or grab a copy of the rare CD on eBay for the low, low price of $100.
Hey Monday
Cassadee Pope does it all…thrilling Hey Monday pop-punk hits, amazing solo work, and don’t forget that you can also listen to some Christmas vocals from her, too. Hey Monday released their Christmas EP in 2011 with a mix of original holiday tunes and covers, and it beats anything Michael Bublé has on his record…Sorry, king.
The Maine
Okay, hear me out! Yes, we know The Maine has one of the most iconic emo Christmas EPs with …And A Happy New Year. (Shout out to their version of “Last Christmas”—the best one in the game!) But you may have forgotten their more recent holiday release …And To All A Good Night. Their 2017 songs “Winter Means Nothing (Without You)” and “12.25” are soothing indie-rock offerings, and will force a little introspection during an otherwise busy and perhaps overwhelming season.
Forever The Sickest Kids
Neon-pop-punk acoustic Christmas? Yep, it’s possible with Forever The Sickest Kids‘ “Misteltoe Is For Quitters.” And, if you want a real blast from the past, you can check out FTSK’s X-mas message from nearly two decades ago.
3OH!3
3OH!3 only knows how to make banger after banger, even for your holiday! The duo will help you turn up your average Christmas playlist with “KISSLETOE” from 2020. TBH, our one holiday wish is for the band to make a whole Christmas album worthy of the club.
VersaEmerge
Did we just unearth a memory for you? Because same! This VersaEmerge “Santa Baby” is equal parts sexy and spooky…perfect if you’re missing Halloween this December.
Never Shout Never
Never Shout Never‘s Christofer Drew brought his ukulele folk-pop prowess to the most wonderful time of the year with The Xmas EP. Whether you had a fabulous year or are ready for 2025 to be over…”Everything Is Cool” is the nostalgic and joyful song you need to hear to get into the right holiday headspace.
Andrew McMahon
You may know that Something Corporate‘s Christmas-themed track, “Forget December,” but in more recent times, frontman Andrew McMahon released “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.” Frankly, we are more than down for a track that is effective until December 31!
