Eurovision Christmas (part 1): New festive songs from Elena, Zlata Ognevich, Jedward and more

It’s that time of year when we’re all getting into the festive spirit by preparing for Christmas and New Year. Amongst the food and presents, music often forms a big part of the holiday period.

Luckily for us, a plethora of Eurovision stars have taken time this year to release some new festive tunes that we can add to our Christmas playlists. So many in fact, we’ve split the songs into two posts.

As you gather around the tree and enjoy the holiday, here’s a selection of the new Christmas songs from Eurovision artists that will help you celebrate the yuletide.

New music from Eurovision artists: Christmas 2024 | Part 1

Elena feat. Iuliana Beregoi – “De Crăciun”

We begin this Christmas special with a song by Elena, who represented Romania at Eurovision in 2009. Her holiday classic, “On Christmas,” was originally released in 2012 and quickly became a massive success. It has since become a beloved staple of the holiday season in Romania, played annually on the radio and featured in numerous Christmas shows with numerous covers. Despite its enduring popularity, the song never had an official music video — until now. Elena has turned her hit into a duet with fellow Romanian artist Iuliana Beregoi, completing it with a festive music video. The lyrics capture the magic of the season: “On Christmas, on Christmas/ Let’s love each other, let’s be kinder/ A million stars, joys abound/ And grown-ups become kids again.”

MÉLOVIN – “Новорічна 2”

MÉLOVIN, who represented Ukraine at Eurovision in 2018, is bringing festive cheer with his new holiday song, “New Year 2.” This track combines a lively winter sound with a message of optimism for the upcoming year, perfectly setting the holiday mood. The lyrics convey the magic of the season: “Sky-sky / The stars are getting brighter / The sun is setting / The holiday will get closer / Sky-sky / We are diving into the new year.” The song radiates good vibes and celebrates the joy of spending the holidays with a loved one, making it a heart-warming addition to the festive season.

Ilinca & Gadjo Dilo – “M-o trimis mama la capre”

Ilinca, who represented Romania at Eurovision in 2017, continues to embrace her roots through her music, this time with a festive twist. Her newest song, “Mom Sent Me with the Goats,” is a traditional Romanian carol originally popularized by Paula Hriscu. Ilinca performs this rendition with her band, Gadjo Dilo, adding their unique touch to the piece. The carol narrates a charming winter story about being tasked with looking after the goats and encountering a wolf along the way on Christmas Day.

Zlata Ognevich – Тиха ніч

Zlata, who represented Ukraine at Eurovision in 2013, has released a winter-themed EP titled Silent Night. The EP was launched on 6 December, coinciding with the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its purpose, along with Zlata’s accompanying fundraiser, is to raise 300,000 UAH to support the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade, which is defending the Donetsk region.

The album features five tracks, all beloved Christmas carols. Among them is “Oh, the Gray Cuckoo,” an acoustic carol accompanied by a touching music video. The video serves as a stark reminder of Ukraine’s ongoing struggles during the war. While some celebrate Christmas in warmth and safety, Ukrainian soldiers continue to fight to protect their homeland. The video was filmed in the Donetsk region and features soldiers actively defending the country, emphasising that Christmas during wartime is not just about comfort and family, but also about gratitude for those who safeguard Ukrainian skies. This is the central message of Zlata’s new mini-album.

The EP also includes a collaboration with Yulia Yurina on the track “Malanka,” inspired by the traditional Ukrainian holiday celebrated on the night of 13 to 14 January, marking the New Year according to the Julian calendar, also known as the Old New Year. About the album, Zlata said:

“This story is not only about music or collection. It is a way to say to our defenders: We are with you, we remember, we are grateful.”

Kalomira – “Magika Hristougenna”

Moving now to Greece, we have a festive song from Kalomira, who represented the country at Eurovision in 2008. Her latest release, “Magical Christmas,” comes with a charming lyric video where she transforms into Mrs. Claus while singing about the special meaning of the holiday season. The song celebrates the joy of being in love at Christmas, emphasising how a loved one is the most precious gift of all: “Love/ On days like these it grows/ And loneliness/ It melts on it like snow/ I had been asking for a gift for years/ And you became my gift.”

Carola & Viktor Norén – “Stjärnorna lyser för oss”

Carola, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden in 1991, plus also competed in 1983 and 2006, has released a new Christmas song in collaboration with fellow Swedish artist Viktor Norén. The festive track, titled “The Stars Shine for Us,“ is sure to bring Christmas cheer to your homes. Speaking about the collaboration, Carola expressed her excitement, saying she felt as though she had met her twin soul while working with Viktor in the Stockholm studio where they recorded the track.

Jedward – “LOVEmas”

Our favourite Irish twins are back with a heart-warming Christmas tune! They represented Ireland at Eurovision for two consecutive years, in 2011 and 2012, and their new song is a heartfelt love letter to a special someone on Christmas Day. The track is filled with delightful references, blending nostalgia and modern pop culture. From iconic movie nods like “Home Alone playing on the TV” to memorable moments in music history, such as an Oasis reunion: “We’re reunited once again/ Like Oasis singing Wonderwall.” It also celebrates the reigning queens of pop, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, who have dominated the charts this year: “The Christmas dinner’s hot to go/ Santa’s singing Espresso.“

Adding a tender touch, the twins include a line for anyone missing a loved one during the holidays: “Wanna be wrapped up in your angel wings tonight.” About the song, the twins declared:

“LOVEmas is a song with a mission to share the love this festive season! Our first Christmas song we feel like Wham! We have fun memories meeting George Michael. Every Christmas we celebrate this legend! Our song is inclusive for everyone because love is universal and we all need a fun Jepic 2024 anthem to bring everyone together dancing to the LOVEmas dance.”

Eimear Quinn – Songs of Winter Dreaming

Eimear, who won Eurovision for Ireland in 1996, has released a captivating winter album featuring 12 songs that showcase her breath-taking soprano vocals. The album includes a selection of carols sung in the Irish language, adding a rich cultural depth to the collection. The opening track, “Oíche Chiúin í mBeithil Fadó,” reflects the nativity story and Mary’s journey, riding on a donkey in search of shelter to give birth to her child. Eimear shares a personal tradition of lighting a candle in the window every Christmas as a symbol to welcome those seeking refuge. She draws a heartfelt connection between this tradition and the current war in Ukraine, highlighting how the Irish people have opened their homes to Ukrainians in need during these challenging times. Eimear added:

“You’re probably a bit like me at the moment, trying to make sense of it all? What can we do? Please don’t feel lost. Even a bit of hoping and dreaming, of not giving up on each other – could already make a difference, could bring change. Running to the light can be our radical protest against darkness. This is my little offering of hope and connectedness in the ‘winter’ of it all. Music can remind us to see the humanity in each other. Love can conquer fear. Don’t forget.”

Mae Muller and more – “Wonderland” & “Topsy Turvy World”

Mae Muller, who represented the United Kingdom at Eurovision last year, has teamed up with various artists from a new animated movie for a festive musical collaboration. Their latest songs serve as the soundtrack for the Christmas cartoon movie The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, inspired by the beloved book of the same name. Gerard Butler who features in one of the songs also stars in the movie, taking on a lead role in this enchanting holiday tale. Both songs are adorable and festive, bringing us back to our childhood. 

Robin Bengtsson – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Robin, who proudly represented Sweden at Eurovision in 2017, is back to spread holiday cheer with his Christmas EP, It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The title track is a cover of the iconic 1963 hit by Andy Williams and serves as the opening song of the album. The EP features five beloved Christmas classics, each reimagined in Robin’s signature style, offering a delightful holiday listening experience. These timeless songs are ready to be discovered and enjoyed by you!

Vasil Garvanliev – Christmas Day

Vasil, who was selected to represent North Macedonia in Eurovision 2020 and proudly returned to the stage in 2021, is bringing the holiday spirit with a beautifully crafted Christmas EP. The collection features five beloved Christmas tunes, carefully selected to create a magical listening experience.

The title track, “Christmas Day,” and the hymn “Panis Angelicus” showcase Vasil’s collaboration with the renowned chorus Uniting Voices, adding a rich and harmonious touch to these pieces. The EP concludes with a breath-taking live orchestra recording of “Ave Maria,” a performance guaranteed to give you chills. About the EP, Vasil said:

“From Skopje to Chicago made with love, passion, and lots of spirit perfect for any family, any home, anywhere around the globe.”

Arvingarna – “Då lackar det mot jul igen” & “Nu är det jul”

Arvingarna, the group that represented Sweden at Eurovision in 1993, have returned with a double holiday release featuring two Christmas songs in Swedish.

The first track, “It’s Getting Closer to Christmas Again,” is a lively and energetic song that will have you dancing around the tree while celebrating the joy of spending Christmas with loved ones. The second track, “Now It’s Christmas,” offers a contrasting warmth, feeling like a cozy hug. Together, these songs beautifully complement each other, capturing both the excitement and heartfelt beauty of the holiday season.

3JS – “Back To My Angels”

3JS, who represented the Netherlands in Eurovision 2011, have returned with a beautiful Christmas song inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The track is accompanied by an animated music video that tells a touching story about returning to the past and reconnecting with those who mean the most to you. The lyrics of the song reflect this heartfelt sentiment: “Take me back to my angels on Christmas night / To fix my broken wings and make me shine.” About their song, the band said:

“We’ve put all the Christmas ingredients we could think of in it. Strings, whistles, old-fashioned Sinatra choruses. The lyrics are based on the classic Christmas story ‘A Christmas Carol’ about Ebenezer Scrooge who was visited in his sleep by the ghosts of Christmas to take him back to his past. The time when we, as little children, helped our parents put up the tree. Our first loves. Those moments of which small fragments always linger somewhere in your memory and surface at unexpected moments. For example, when you put on those old Christmas records again in December. That suddenly a melancholy feeling comes up in you and you think: ‘if only I could go back to that time for just a little while, one day… to that child I was then, to my father who is no longer there, to that girl I abandoned. To be able to say one more time how much I loved them. ‘Back to my angels’….”

Jonatan Cerrada – “Noël c’est l’amour”

It’s time for a French song in our playlist, and Jonatan, who represented France at Eurovision in 2004, is taking the lead. His version of “Christmas is Love” was originally written and recorded by Tino Rossi. The song speaks about the love that surrounds the Christmas celebration worldwide and the warmth of having your loved ones close during this special time.

Michael Rice – “Mary’s Boy Child”

Michael, who represented the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2019, has recorded his own version of a Christmas classic for this holiday season. The song, written in 1956 by American songwriter Jester Hairston, became widely popular when it was recorded by the Germany-based disco group Boney M in 1978. Michael brings his own cozy and warm touch to the track with his soulful vocals, making it feel just like a peaceful winter night. 

Jóhanna Guðrún & Sverrir Bergmann – “Skiptir engu máli”

Jóhanna, who represented Iceland in Eurovision 2009, and Severrir, known to fans from Iceland’s national selection in 2014, have teamed up to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere with their newest song, “Doesn’t Matter.” This song is the Icelandic Christmas version of Ricchi e Poveri’s 1978 hit “Sarà perché ti amo,” which represented Italy in that year’s Eurovision. The lyrics express how Christmas feels meaningless without being with a loved one, with lines like: “But Christmas, Christmas snow? It doesn’t matter/ But Christmas, Christmas lights? Of course, it doesn’t matter/ What is Christmas without you? They just don’t matter/ That’s quite clear, unless you’re with me.”

Didrik Solli-Tangen – O Helga Natt

Didrik, who represented Norway at Eurovision in 2010, has returned with a stunning Christmas album titled Oh, Holy Night. This album brings together 11 famous Christmas songs from around the world, showcasing Didrik’s vocal versatility and love for the festive season. In addition to traditional songs in Norwegian, the album features tracks in Italian and beloved Christmas classics in English. The collaboration with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra adds a layer of elegance and sophistication, making this album truly enchanting. About his album, Didrik said:

“This project is without a doubt one of the proudest moments of my career. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with some of the most talented people I know. I truly hope this album can accompany you into the time leading up to Christmas.”

Loulou Lamotte – “Crazy Over EX-Mas”

Loulou, who was set to represent Sweden at Eurovision in 2020 as part of The Mamas before the contest was cancelled, has now released her own original Christmas song. Her new track offers a more sombre take on the holiday season, with a blue and bittersweet tone. The song speaks to those who feel heartbroken and lonely during the holidays, particularly those who have been dumped near Christmas. Loulou’s flawless vocals bring depth and emotion to the track.

Aleksander Walmann & Karianne – “Når himmelen faller ned”

Aleksander, who represented Norway at Eurovision 2017 alongside JOWST, returns with a stunning winter ballad titled “When the Sky Falls Down.” The song was first released by Anne Grete Preus in 1998. This serene collaboration with Karianne is a perfect seasonal track, filled with warmth and tranquillity. The song’s title serves as a beautiful metaphor for snow, capturing the quiet magic of winter. Aleksander and Karianne’s voices blend harmoniously, creating an atmosphere of comfort and peace. 

Which of these new Christmas songs is your favourite? Which festive tracks by Eurovision stars do you enjoy playing during the holiday period? Let us know in the comments below.