Every Christmas season, festive classics flood radio stations, playlists, adverts and movies. While listeners enjoy the nostalgia, a handful of global stars quietly earn millions from songs that return like clockwork every December. From streaming royalties to licensing deals, Christmas music remains one of the most dependable revenue streams in the industry.
Here’s a countdown from No. 5 to No. 1 of the richest musicians who make millions every Christmas.
5. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber kicks off the list thanks to the continued popularity of his Christmas catalogue.
Songs like Mistletoe, Christmas Love and his festive covers still enjoy heavy rotation during the holidays.
In total, Bieber earns an estimated £3.6 million annually from Christmas-related streams and sales. Although Christmas is not his core niche, his global fan base ensures strong December numbers year after year.
4. Wham!
Wham!’s Last Christmas remains one of the most-played festive songs in the world.
Released in 1984, the track continues to dominate playlists, radio airwaves and seasonal charts.
The song pulls in about £4.5 million each year from Spotify streams alone, with additional revenue from radio play and licensing. Notably, the royalties still go to charitable causes, continuing George Michael’s legacy.
3. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande has built a modern Christmas presence that resonates strongly with younger listeners.
Her festive tracks consistently feature on Spotify’s most-streamed Christmas playlists.
As a result, Grande earns an estimated £5.8 million every year from holiday streaming revenue. While she lacks a single dominant Christmas anthem, her catalogue performs exceptionally well throughout December.
2. Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is widely recognised as the “Queen of Christmas,” and for good reason.
Her iconic 1994 hit All I Want for Christmas Is You has become an annual global event.
The song generates around £8 million in yearly earnings, driven by streaming, radio play, adverts and film placements. Decades on, it still tops charts and breaks records each festive season.
1. Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé tops the list as the biggest Christmas earner of all.
His Christmas album remains one of the most-streamed festive collections worldwide.
Out of his estimated £26 million annual Spotify income, about £11.8 million comes directly from Christmas songs. This makes Bublé the highest-earning Christmas artist in the modern streaming era.
Why Christmas Songs Are So Profitable
Christmas hits benefit from guaranteed yearly demand, cross-generational appeal and constant reuse across media. For these artists, festive music has become a reliable financial engine that pays out every December.
Source: Spotify
