psychedelic christmas

Psychedelic Christmas – Spotify playlist

Here's a bonus seasonal playlist – two-and-a-half hours of psychedelic, Christmas-themed tracks for your lysergic pleasure!

I've carefully selected a fantastic array of modern and 1960s psychedelic rock, psych-pop, and groovy, way-out instrumentals, all with a festive theme. I was surprised at how many tracks I found that not only fit the bill, but that I would genuinely enjoy at any time of year. At first, I thought I'd only found a modest handful of songs that fit here, but suddenly realised I had forty-five!

That's good news for fellow music weirdos who like this specific, improbable crossover of genres!

One brief reflection: I made this and my multi-genre Christmas mega-playlist simultaneously and, while this one is comparatively narrower in scope, it was interesting to realise there is still a wide variety of moods and sounds here. It ranges from darker, foreboding psych-rock to bubbly, pretty psych-inflected indie pop to dreamy soundscapes.

If you like this playlist, you may want to check out a Mixcloud mix I made several years ago called Psychedelic Lights of Christmas. (And if you liked that one, I think you'll enjoy this one, too!) There's some crossover between both playlists, but there are some rare, deep cuts on the Mixcloud mix not on this playlist. Conversely, the Spotify list has some songs I've newly discovered, as well as a number of tracks only released since I made that mix.

Also, check out these comps featuring modern Christmas psych tracks, which were key sources and inspiration for these playlists: Psych-Out Christmas, The Active Listener Christmas Album, Merry Jäger Christmas.

Know of any other psychedelic Christmas songs I've missed? Leave your suggestions in the comments!

Tracklist for Psychedelic Christmas:

Bandcamp links included where available.

1. Bhopal's Flowers - Incense Myrrh & Gold (2025)
2. The Zephyr Bones - Carol of the Bells (2016)
3. Lowell George & The Factory - Candy Cane Madness (1967)
4. Saturday's Children - Christmas Sounds (1966)
5. The Smoking Trees - The Psychedelic Lights of Christmas (2012)
6. Sean O'Hagan - Kabon's Christmas (2010)
7. Sally Shapiro - Christmas Escape (2021)
8. The Raveonettes - Come On Santa (2008)
9. Baywaves - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (2016)
10. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - O Little Town of Bethlehem (2007)
11. Whatitdo Archive Group - Wild Man (2024)
12. Paul Revere & The Raiders - Rain, Sleet, Snow (1967)
13. He 5 - Here Comes Santa Claus (1969)
14. Ill Wind - Mauti (Basement Recording) (1968)
15. Balduin - Merry Christmas (2013)
16. Sy Mann - The Little Drummer Boy (1969)
17. Sleepy Sun - What Child Is This? (2016)
18. Slow Club - Silent Night (2009)
19. Les Amis Au Pakistan - Doux Christmas, Noël Soft (2007)
20. Antena - Noëlle à Hawaï (1982)
21. I Am The World Trade Center - Rockefeller Tree (1999)
22. Quintron & Miss Pussycat - Jingle Bell Rock (2013)
23. Elephant Stone - Christmas Time (Is Here Again) (2013)
24. Galaxies - Christmas Eve (1965)
25. Roar - Christmas Kids (2010)
26. Balduin - Through The Snow (2013)
27. Saw Black & The Toys - Christmas in the Background (2019)
28. Jon Davis - Psychedelic Christmas (2019)
29. Sufjan Stevens - Christmas Woman (2012)
30. Sy Mann - Christmas Bells (1969)
31. Psychic Ills - Run Rudolph Run (2013)
32. King Cayman - El Tamborilero (2016)
33. The Wailers - She's Comin' Home (1965)
34. Paul Revere & The Raiders - Macy's Window (1967)
35. The Free Design - Close Your Mouth (It's Christmas) (1968)
36. The Shacks - Got To Be Christmas (2021)
37. Modular - El Viaje Mágico De Santa Claus (2012)
38. Khruangbin - Christmas Time Is Here (2018)
39. Alan Bernhoft - Imagine Christmas (2012)
40. Sen Senra - Noche de Paz (2016)
41. The Ivy League - The Holly and the Ivy League (1965)
42. Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - O Come All Ye Faithful (2007)
43. Holögrama - La Nanita Nana (2016)
44. The Christmas Spirit - Christmas Is My Time of Year (1968)
45. Jimi Hendrix - Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne (Extended Version) (1969)

Merry Christmas to my long-time readers – thanks for coming back, even though I can't always keep up the blog – and to any new friends dropping by. Wishing everyone the best for the new year.

Playlist image credit: From Staffan, an illustrated book of the Swedish Christmas song, 1970 (Internet Archive).