The UK’s top 10 festive driving anthems – according to science

Your Christmas journey starts with the right soundtrack

Carmoola’s latest research has revealed the festive anthems set to soundtrack Britain’s roads this December. After surveying 2,000 UK drivers, we identified the songs people rely on most during Christmas journeys, whether they’re heading home for the holidays, tackling late-night supermarket dashes or clocking up motorway miles. Here are the nation’s favourites:

1. Fairytale of New York
2. All I Want for Christmas Is You
3. Driving Home for Christmas
4. Last Christmas
5. Jingle Bell Rock
6. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
7. Merry Christmas Everyone
8. Do They Know It’s Christmas?
9. Let It Snow
10. White Christmas

These are the tracks Britain turns to again and again, so we’ve brought them together in one playlist to make festive driving feel smoother, brighter and a little more joyful.

But the reason these songs dominate Christmas isn’t just habit - there’s meaningful psychology behind why they feel so good in the car. To uncover that, Carmoola partnered with music psychologist Dr Ruth Herbert, whose analysis shows that festive listening taps into some of the strongest emotional cues we respond to on the road.

The research reveals that 89 percent of drivers rely on music to settle into a journey, and familiar songs help people feel calm, confident and focused. Tempo and emotional tone influence how relaxed we feel in traffic, while nostalgia plays a powerful role too.

Many motorists link these songs to childhood trips, family traditions and Christmases past, which is why timeless classics continue to outperform newer releases. Younger drivers are also more likely to tailor their playlists to their mood, using music to set the tone for the journey ahead.

Put simply, the right soundtrack can transform a drive. It helps you unwind, reset and enjoy the small moments between destinations. Whether you're navigating busy roads or cruising home for Christmas, our playlist brings together the songs Britain loves most — ready to press play whenever you are.