We can all agree, in terms of Christmas music, it has its bops and it has its flops.
Some songs do an incredible job of capturing that warm fuzzy feeling that Christmas can give you… others feel like they were purposely made just to drive you crazy.
And whether you’re into violins and jingling bells or pure festive pop, we’ve all got opinions about Christmas music.
So let’s take a look at five of the all-time bestChristmas songs and five of the absolute worst.
We know people will go to war in the name of their favourite Crimbo song, so before you start a crusade against us because your favourite is on the worst list, let me remind you this list is completely subjective… but we all know it’s right.
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The worst Christmas songs ever written
Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande
Not hate towards Ariana – she’s an honorary Manc after all – but Santa Tell Me is a massive flop. Nothing screams ‘I’m in a department store at Christmas time’ more than this song and I pray for any retail worker who has to hear this more than once on their wintery shifts.
2. Everyday Is Christmas – SIA (The Whole Album)
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You’re getting a whole 13-song album for this one. SIA did not need to make a full Christmas album but she did and it’s basically all the same song. Everything about it is bad, even down to the album art. There’s something about SIA’s voice that just doesn’t lend itself to festive music. Sorry SIA.
3. It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
It’s not the singer, it’s the song. It doesn’t matter who is singing this one, it’s going on the worst list. When it’s the start of November why does every commercial company decide this is the perfect song to shove on every Christmas ad ever? And how does something with such cheerful lyrics manage to sound so glum?! It’s like a Winnie the Pooh Christmas song.
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4. Underneath The Tree – Kelly Clarkson
This one makes me feel like I’m in a silly little 00s British Christmas romcom and I absolutely hate it. How did she fall from Since U Been Gone to this utter trash? I’m not mad, Kelly, I’m just disappointed.
5. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
For a three-minute-long song, it does not need to repeat Feliz Navidad 21 times. There are literally only four different unique sentences in this one and they’re repeated over and over again. We get it Jose, you wanna wish me a Merry Christmas. Can you do it a bit more quietly, I’ve got a Bailey’s hangover.
The best Christmas songs ever written
White Christmas – The Drifters
Nothing lends itself more to Christmas than some classic doo-wop, that’s why White Christmas by The Drifters and only The Drifters is the best version of this festive classic. As soon as the band’s deep harmony kicks in at the start it fills the room with that Christmassy feeling.
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2. Step Into Christmas – Elton John
No era was better for Christmas music than the 70s and Elton John’s Step Into Christmas is its peak. Whether you’re putting up the tree, present shopping, having a festive boogie or eating your Christmas dinner, this song fits the vibe perfectly.
3. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
We don’t think American new wave band The Waitresses knew the scale of what they were making when they were recording this anti-Christmas song. It instantly became a cult classic. Trust us, sit down and listen to the bass in this one, it’s so funky and usually by the time the sax comes into it we’re already up dancing.
4. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
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As soon as this song starts with those synthy keys you know you’re in for a good’n, I mean who else is more equipped to write a jolly ol’ Christmas song than an ex-Beatle? It just feels like the epitome of Christmas.
5. Christmas Rappin’ – Kurtis Blow
By the time this song came out in 1979, rap was a relatively new genre on the scene. So for Kurtis Blow, the first commercially successful rapper, to release Christmas Rappin’ as his first song is insane but what a hit it was. Not your generic Christmas song but it’s something different and you can’t deny, that beat is infectious.
Parklife 2026 | all stage splits and stage times
Thomas Melia
One of Manchester’s biggest music festivals, Parklife, is back at Heaton Park and has just announced its stage splits for its 2026 line-up.
Parklife 2026 is just around the corner, and with some hefty headliners, it’s safe to say this year is looking absolutely stacked in terms of amazing music.
Get ready to immerse yourself in not one but two days soundtracked by some of the world’s best DJs, b2b sets, live performances and more.
This year’s a biggie too, as Scottish dance heavyweight Calvin Harris, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson, Bradford’s own Nia Archives, and London lad Skepta are just some names planning to win over the Heaton Park crowd.
So grab a paper and pen because it’s time to make a note of all the artists you’re interested in seeing and which stage they’re playing live, so you can make the most of your Parklife experience.
Parklife 2026 | Stage splits and stage times
Saturday 20 June
Skepta and Sammy Virji are headliners for Saturday 20 June at Parklife 2026 in Heaton Park / Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Alistair McVeigh (supplied)
G Stage
12pm – 1.30pm | Mya
1.30pm – 3pm | A For Alpha
3pm – 4.30pm | The Trip
4.30pm – 6pm | Kepler
6pm – 8pm | Locky b2b Phill De Janeiro b2b Benji King
8pm – 9.30pm | Locklead
9.30pm – 11pm | Jamback
Magic Sky
12pm – 1pm | North Base
1pm – 1.40pm | Catching Cairo
1.40pm – 2.30pm | Lens (w/ Dread)
2.30pm – 3.20pm | Born On Road (w/ Carasel)
3.20pm – 4.15pm | Kanine(w/ Rage)
4.15pm – 5.15pm | Wilkinson (w/ AD-APT)
5.15pm – 6.10pm | Bou (w/ B Live 247)
6.10pm – 7.10pm | Dimension
7.10pm – 8.15pm | Andy C (w/ Tonn Piper)
8.15pm – 9.10pm | Hedex (w/ Eksman)
9.10pm – 10.05pm | Mozey (w/ 2Shy)
10.05pm – 11pm | K Motionz (w/ IC3)
Matinée
12pm – 1pm | Niamh
1pm – 2pm | ATRIP
2pm – 3pm | MPH
3pm – 4pm | Oppidan
4pm – 5pm | Effy
5pm – 6.20pm | MALUGI b2b Sam Alfred
6.20pm – 7.40pm | Marlon Hoffstadt
7.40pm – 8.40pm | Morgan Seatree
8.40pm – 10pm | Mall Grab
10pm – 11pm | Daria Kolosova
Panorama
12pm – 1.15pm | Ellia Jaya
1.15pm – 2.30pm | Julian Fijma
2.30pm – 3.45pm | bullet tooth
3.45pm – 5pm | SOSA
5pm – 6.30pm | Cloonee
6.30pm – 8pm | ALISHA
8pm – 9.30pm | Rossi.
9.30pm – 11pm | East End Dubs
The Valley
12pm – 1pm | Rich Reason & Yami
1pm – 2pm | Alexandria
2pm – 3.30pm | Prospa
3.30pm – 5pm | Josh Baker
5.15pm – 6pm | 4am Kru
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Nia Archives
8pm – 9pm | Skepta
9.30pm – 10.45pm | Sammy Virji
Sunday 21 June
Zara Larsson and Calvin Harris are headliners for Parklife 2026 on Sunday 21 June at Heaton Park / Credit: Charlotte Rutherford / Press Shot (supplied)
G Stage
1pm – 1.50pm | Mattik b2b Larishka
1.50pm – 2.40pm | Shade V b2b Rich Reason
2.40pm – 3.40pm | Dismantle
3.40pm – 4.40pm | Douvelle19
4.40pm – 5.10pm | Window Kid
5.10pm – 6.10pm | Osmosis Jones
6.10pm – 7pm | Arthi
7pm – 8pm | Bushbaby
8pm – 9pm | BAKEY
9pm – 10pm | SHY FX
10pm – 11pm | RYOTA
Magic Sky
1pm – 2.10pm | Cam Stockman
2.10pm – 3.20pm | Olive F
3.20pm – 4.30pm | DXNBY
4.30pm – 5.40pm | Riordan
5.40pm – 6.50pm | Omar+
6.50pm – 8pm | Marsolo
8pm – 9.30pm | L.P. Rhythm
9.30pm – 11pm | Obskür
Matinée
1pm – 2.15pm | 4000HZ
2.15pm – 3.30pm | Saidah
3.30pm – 4.45pm | Fumi
4.45pm – 6pm | Diffrent
6pm – 7.20pm | Faster Horses b2b Benwal
7.20pm – 8.20pm | ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
8.20pm – 9.30pm | blk.
9.30pm – 11pm | AZYR
Panorama
1pm – 2pm | Minna
2pm – 3pm | Delilah
3pm – 4.10pm | Silva Bumpa
4.10pm – 5.20pm | Luuk Van Dijk
5.20pm – 6.30pm | Chloé Caillet
6.30pm – 8pm | Ewan McVicar
8pm – 9.30pm | KETTAMA
9.20pm – 11pm | Chris Stussy
The Valley
1pm – 2.15pm | Nicola Bear
2.15pm – 3.15pm | Mix-Stress
3.30pm – 4.15pm | Clementine Douglas
4.30pm – 5.30pm | Armand Van Helden
6pm – 6.45pm | Rudim3ntal
7.15pm – 8.15pm | Zara Larsson
9.15pm – 10.45pm | Calvin Harris
Parklife 2026 has delivered a stellar line-up once again, and if you’re after catching any of these artists live at Heaton Park later this year, you can grab a range of tickets.
Feel like Saturday is more your vibe? Check out the ticket option for just Saturday, 20 June HERE, or if Sunday sounds better for you, then grab a ticket or two for Sunday 21 June HERE.
And if one day just isn’t enough, how about a whole weekend? Enjoy two days of live music with tickets for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June HERE.
Featured Images – Jody Hartley/Charlotte Rutherford /WikiCommons/Alistair McVeigh(supplied)
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More artists added and stage splits confirmed for Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 lineup
Danny Jones
Two waves for NBHD Weekender’s 2026 lineup have now been officially confirmed, and Greater Manchester leads the way in terms of headliners, with local music legend Richard Ashcroft and Stockport’s finest, Blossoms, both already confirmed for the big slot on the main stage.
Now THAT is how you follow up a comeback.
Yes, Neighbourhood Weekender always promises a healthy dose of Northern acts on the lineup, including plenty of Mancs, scousers and others from Cheshire and the region at large, but to get two much-loved music artists from our boroughs topping the 2026 bill is an absolute treat.
With other noteworthy appearances in the Kaiser Chiefs, DMA’s, Jamie Webster, Example and many more on there already, it feels like next year’s festival is shaping up to be a potential all-timer, with a second wave of acts being added and the stage splits now set.
As you can see, the first pair of waves of the NBHD 2026 lineup includes returning crowd-pleasers like Shed Seven, Razorlight and The K’s, as well as other additions like rising stars Basht., Better Joy and North West favourites, The Kairos, as well as fellow Manc lads, M60.
Other acts that also caught our eye include our own natives like Arkayla, The Guest List, Luvcat and The Covasettes, just to name a few, as well as rising ‘Britainicana outfit’, Westside Cowboy, who just so happen to star on our most recent round-up of what we’ve been listening to.
In fact, there are a few past Manc bands of the month features on this lineup, not to mention more nearby names in Lucvat, The Royston Club, Keyside, Nxdia and so on, who are all well worth earmarking ahead of the stage splits being announced.
As for the headliners, indie heroes Blossoms need no introduction; nor does Wigan’s most famous musical son, with Ashcroft riding a real resurgence at the moment – he’s also one of our artists of the month, naturally.
In fact, confirmation of both Ashcroft and his Oasis Live ’25 support act partners, Cast, being booked for Warrington’s Victoria Park and the next NBHD Fest comes after the 54-year-old confirmed a fellow hometown band for some very big shows of his own.
This coming May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 23-Sun 24 May 2026) is shaping up nicely, and we can’t wait to see what else is new to the festival site this year.
General admission tickets are already available, and new for this year, there will also be different payment plans via their website.
You can grab your tickets HERE. See you in the fields!
Dean Hadcock -
24th December 2024 
