From Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You to Wham!'s Last Christmas: Artists minting millions every December

As December arrives, so does an annual takeover of playlists worldwide. The sleigh bells start ringing, the charts rewind, and a familiar set of voices reclaim their seasonal throne. Christmas music isn't just nostalgic - it's one of the most reliable money machines in the music industry.

Every festive season, a handful of evergreen hits quietly generate jaw-dropping sums, turning decades-old tracks into modern-day goldmines.





Unlike most chart hits, Christmas classics don't fade - they hibernate. Streaming platforms have transformed these songs into annual revenue cycles, with plays skyrocketing every November and December before resetting again the following year.



What was once dependent on radio play and physical sales is now powered by billions of streams, ensuring artists - and their estates - earn consistently without lifting a finger.

When it comes to festive dominance, a few names rise above the rest, collecting the biggest cheques year after year.





Michael Bublé has become the modern face of Christmas music. His festive catalogue, led by It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, generates an estimated $16 million during recent holiday seasons, thanks to massive streaming numbers and global playlist dominance.





Released in 1994, All I Want for Christmas Is You is no longer just a song - it's an annual financial event. Mariah Carey reportedly earns $1.8–$2.2 million every year, with total royalties crossing £44 million years ago and still climbing.





Wham!'s Last Christmas continues to break records decades after release. With over 1.66 billion Spotify streams, the track has generated an estimated $6.6 million (£4.9 million), making it one of the most profitable festive songs of all time.





Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree remains a festive essential. Brenda Lee's classic pulls in roughly £1.4 million annually, proving that timeless Christmas songs never lose their earning power.





Ariana Grande successfully cracked the festive code with Santa Tell Me. The song now earns over £1.7 million each year, standing tall among modern Christmas hits dominated by legacy artists.





Sia's Snowman didn't explode overnight, but it grew steadily. The track has now generated close to $4 million in total earnings, becoming a streaming-era Christmas favourite.





Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime brings in an estimated £260,000 annually, pushing lifetime earnings close to £12 million - proof that even understated festive tracks can deliver long-term rewards.





Few songs scream British Christmas louder than Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody. The track reportedly earns around £1 million every year, returning to charts each December without fail.



Christmas songs come with a guaranteed annual revival, emotional attachment, and multi-generational appeal. While most hits burn fast and fade, festive classics wait patiently - then explode. For artists lucky enough to own one, Christmas doesn't just bring joy. It brings a payday.