Dolly Parton is undeniably the queen of country music, but did you know she’s also the queen of Christmas television specials? Back in 1984, the release of Dolly’s first holiday album — a joint effort with Kenny Rogers titled Once Upon a Christmas — was timed to a television special that aired on CBS, Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember. Her second Christmas album in 1990, a solo effort titled Home for Christmas, was similarly accompanied by a special that aired on ABC.
Over the years Dolly has also starred in several made-for-television Christmas movies that she’s written and recorded original Christmas songs for, including A Smoky Mountain Christmas and Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love. In recent years she has also debuted her first original movie for the Hallmark Channel, Christmas at Dollywood, and her first original holiday film for Netflix, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.
In 2020, Dolly released her first Christmas album in 30 years. Titled A Holly Dolly Christmas, the record featured a mix of holiday classics and original country Christmas tunes, as well as lots of duets with Dolly’s famous friends, including Michael Bublé, Jimmy Fallon, Miley Cyrus and Willie Nelson. And of course, Dolly followed tradition and paired the release of A Holly Dolly Christmas with a television special on CBS. All that’s to say, Dolly Parton has recorded a lot of Christmas tunes you’ll want to listen to this holiday season, so make yourself a mug of hot cocoa, light the fire, and cozy up with this playlist of Dolly Parton’s best holiday season songs right now.
20
“Comin’ Home for Christmas”
This song doesn’t appear on either of Dolly’s two Christmas albums, but this 2009 single does stick to one of her tried-and-true holiday song themes: coming home for Christmas.
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19
“Christmas on the Square”
This one’s the title track from Dolly’s Netflix Christmas movie. Get ready for lots of bluegrass twang and folksy lyrics.
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18
“Joy to the World”
Home for Christmas is filled with classic holiday tunes delivered in Dolly’s signature country twang. It’s hard to go wrong with “Joy to the World,” and Dolly’s straightforward cover doesn’t disappoint.
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17
“The Greatest Gift of All”
Dolly’s duet holiday album with Kenny Rogers features mostly original songs, including this saccharine slow tune.
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16
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
15
“Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride Medley”
Dolly’s delightfully upbeat, ’80s-tinged mashup of these two holiday classics delivers on the Yuletide cheer.
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14
“Go Tell It On the Mountain”
Backed by a rollicking gospel choir, this song will get you excited to celebrate Jesus’ birthday like nobody’s business.
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13
“Holly Jolly Christmas”
When you sing along to this track, we highly suggest subbing in the word “Dolly” when she says “holly.”
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12
“With Bells On”
This track is a full-on bop, proving that Kenny and Dolly knew how to throw down when it came to silly, happy holiday jams that can get even the grinchiest of Grinches out on the dance floor.
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11
“First Noel”
The kickoff to Dolly’s Home for Christmas album, this song opens with the country singer reflecting on her memories of Christmas in the Smoky Mountains before segueing into the familiar holiday tune.
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10
“I Believe in Santa Claus”
If you’re hosting a kid-centric holiday party this season, this song is a must for your playlist.
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9
“You Are My Christmas”
Dolly Parton has 11 siblings, and this catchy track features her younger brother Randy singing about the “reason for the season.”
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8
“Smoky Mountain Christmas”
The signature song from Dolly’s 1986 made-for-television movie A Smoky Mountain Christmas, directed by Henry Winkler, this track extols the simple pleasures of a Christmas spent in — you guessed it — the Smoky Mountains.
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7
“Christmas Where We Are”
Billy Ray Cyrus duets with Dolly on this twangy, upbeat song about not needing anything more than your love on Christmas.
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6
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
This Christmas song has been recorded countless times over the years, but Dolly’s bluegrass-tinged version — complete with lilting steel guitar — is one of the best.
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5
“Circle of Love”
Dolly wrote this song for NBC’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, a made-for-television film based on Dolly’s real-life childhood in Tennessee. While Jennifer Nettles recorded it as a single for her album To Celebrate Christmas, Dolly sang it herself during the movie’s 2016 broadcast. Dolly’s recording of the song also appears as a track on A Holly Dolly Christmas.
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4
“Cuddly Up and Cozy Down”
Dolly pairs up with Michael Bublé on this jazzy little tune. It’s a great one to press play on when it’s snowing outside and you’ve got the fire roaring.
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3
“A Christmas to Remember”
A soft rock jam that’s as cheesy and wonderful as you might expect it to be, complete with Dolly wishing for a “fast talking lover with some slow burning wood.”
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2
“Christmas Without You”
IMHO, the best song from Once Upon a Christmas is not the title track but rather “Christmas Without You.”
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1
“Hard Candy Christmas”
Dolly’s first (and best) entry into the Christmas music canon actually wasn’t meant to become a modern Christmas classic. Originally written as a showender for the stage version of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dolly recorded a solo version for the 1982 movie adaption’s soundtrack, which was later added to the track list of Once Upon a Christmas when it was re-released in the late ’90s. Nothing says “happy holidays” like getting drunk on apple wine, right?
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Lauren Matthews
Group Digital Content Director
Lauren, Good Housekeeping’s digital director, has over 15 years of experience writing and editing beauty, lifestyle, home, health, and entertaining content for publications including Country Living, Woman’s Day, Brides, and First for Women.
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