Originally released in 2013 as part of her Christmas album Christmas, with Love, the infectious One More Sleep peaked at Number 3 on the UK Official Chart, and while it may not be the best-selling single of Leona’s career (five other Leona tracks outsold it!), it has become something of a streaming and festive phenomenon ever since.
In fact, no other British Christmas song released in the 21st century has been streamed more times than One More Sleep, which has amassed 190 million UK streams since release, according to Official Charts Company data.
The Top 10 Official New Christmas Hits of the 21st century:
The track, written by Leona Lewis herself, along with co-writer/producer Richard “Biff” Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst, and Bradford Ellis, tops a new festive list unveiled by Official Charts. No Mariah Carey or WHAM! in sight on this occasion, the “Top 10 New British Christmas Hits of the 21st century” instead showcases the most-played homegrown festive favourites released between 2000 and 2025 as the first quarter of this century draws to a close.
MORE: Meet the 2025 Official Christmas Number 1 contenders
Hackney-born singer Leona edges out Coldplay’s Christmas Lights (Number 2) to take the crown with her festive crowd pleaser that has returned to the Official Chart Top 40 at Christmas for eight years on the bounce, as the British public embrace it as a modern seasonal staple.
Leona is no stranger to festive chart success either, having landed the coveted 2006 Christmas Number 1 with A Moment Like This.
Martin Talbot, CEO, Official Charts, comments:
“The canon of Christmas classics is full to bursting with songs from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, so it is great to see modern classics joining the festive hall of fame – with Leona Lewis’s One More Sleep the runaway leader as the biggest new British Christmas cracker of them all. Congratulations Leona!”
These ‘newer’ tracks are becoming festive staples right before our very eyes, with some incredible numbers back it up. From the hypnotic vocals of Sam Smith to the gut-wrenching melodies of Coldplay, we’ve been blessed with some modern-day greats that will instantly put you in the mood for a cheeky mince pie and mulled wine.
So, let’s delve into and reveal the Top 10 Official New Christmas Hits of the 21st century.
10. You’re Christmas To Me
Artist: Sam Ryder
Released: 2023
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 2
Total UK streams: 32 million
As part of the Amazon Music Christmas Originals range, Sam Ryder released You’re Christmas To Me. A newly independent artist at this point, the Eurovision runner-up probably wasn’t expecting the song to gain much traction. But the ever-energetic Sam played 26 shows in 6 days with the aim of nabbing the festive chart crown. The track entered the Top 10 for the first time on 15 December 2023, before agonisingly *just* missing out on Christmas Number 1 to Wham! Last Christmas. Fun and ferocious, the most modern song on this list really does make you feel merry.
9. Come on Home For Christmas
Artist: George Ezra
Released: 2021
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 8
Total UK streams: 32.8 million
Another Amazon Music Christmas Originals release, Come on Home For Christmas was an instant hit with fans. Before this, the Hertfordshire singer had somewhat disappeared for three years, not releasing any music. But Come on Home For Christmas marked his comeback, cementing Ezra as one of the UK’s most loved voices. He also says ‘Christmas’ 25 times in the track, so that must count for something.
8. This Christmas
Artist: Jess Glyne
Released: 2020
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 3
Total UK streams: 34.8 million
With Jess going viral this year for inadvertently creating Jet2’s theme song, it’s only right that she was on this list. Covering This Christmas, an updated version of Donny Hathaway’s soulful track, Jess majestically turns it into her own. While complimenting the originality of Hathaway’s masterpiece, she instils a modern twist into it that creates an aura of its own. The track peaked at Number 3 in the Christmas Number 1 race, and it’s another Amazon Original. They clearly don’t miss with their choices.
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Artist: Sam Smith
Released: 2014
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 53
Total UK streams: 64 million
Sam Smith’s voice was made for a Christmas song. Enchanting and melodic, he took on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and, despite never quite reaching the Top 40, it has done its thing on streaming, becoming the seventh most-played new Christmas song this century so far.
6. Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)
Artist: The Darkness
Released: 2003
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 2
Total UK streams: 65.4 million
This track exudes chaotic Christmas vibes. The lyrics Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) reflect the wholesome idea of spending time with your loved ones during this time of year, but in classic The Darkness style, is full of double entendres that bring some very welcome silliness to the season.
Paired with an extroverted music video packed with spirit, this had all the elements to become Christmas Number 1. However, it just missed out, settling for second to the not-quite-so-jolly Mad World by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules.
5. Hallelujah
Artist: Alexandra Burke
Released: 2008
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 1
Total UK streams: 76.3 million
Ah, The X Factor days. It would have been a crime against music if Alexandra Burke didn’t win the reality TV show, her cover of Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah almost feels like a hymn, Burke’s emotional vocals work perfectly on the song.
Alexandra’s version of Hallelujah holds a the very special claim of being the first ever million-selling single by a British female artist, so perhaps no surprise that when both sales and streams are combined, it’s the biggest British Christmas song of the 21st century overall.
Hallelujah secured the coveted Christmas Number 1 title of 2008, becoming the best-selling single of the year with just two weeks of sales logged! Bonus fact – 2008 was also the first time that downloads of the Christmas Number 1 exceeded CD sales. So now you know.
4. Merry Christmas
Artist: Ed Sheeran and Elton John
Released: 2021
Official Singles Chart: Number 1
Total UK streams: 118.3 million
Ed and Elton linked up to produce Merry Christmas, a jovial upbeat jingle that feels like a nostalgic treat.
The song debuted at Number 1 on the 10th December but lost out two weeks later on Official Christmas Number 1 day to LadBaby with Sausage Rolls for Everyone, which is a parody of Ed and Elton’s track which features both artists.
3. Somewhere Only We Know
Artist: Lily Allen
Released: 2013
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 1
Total UK streams: 127 million
Lily really was the moment this year. West End Girl made us fall in love with her all over again; but she also OWNED the Christmas of 2013.
Used for the iconic John Lewis Christmas advert, Lily turns Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know into a captivating and magical experience. Reflective in the advert’s narrative, the song becomes a journey, figuring out where you need to be and looking back on what’s happened so far and learning from these experiences.
John Lewis’ beautiful animation, paired with Lily’s soft, ethereal voice creates a moment that’s nothing short of a masterpiece.
2. Christmas Lights
Artist: Coldplay
Released: 2010
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 13
Total UK streams: 127.2 million
A potentially surprising edition considering how high up it is, but this chilling release embodies the holiday season emotions. Full of early Coldplay innuendos, the song follows a character who has experienced a break-up on Christmas Eve, but the beauty and warmness that Christmas Lights can bring in some of the darkest days guides you to better places.
It’s so quintessentially Christmas that you instantly fall in love with it when you hear that first G chord.
The song was re-released on physical variants in 2020 to celebrate its 10th anniversary and topped the Official Vinyl Chart.
A recurring staple, the track has been praised as one of the best Christmas songs of all time.
1. One More Sleep
Artist: Leona Lewis
Released: 2013
Official Singles Chart peak: Number 3
Total UK streams: 189.8 million
A deserved winner. What an anthem this song is. Released in 2013, it was actually her X factor mentor Simon Cowell who recommended that she record a Christmas album. Thus, One More Sleep was born.
The track hooked people immediately. With its heart-warming, twinkly Motown-inspired production, One More Sleep encompasses everything that Christmas is about. Comfort, warmth and togetherness.
The track peaked at Number 3 and has re-entered the charts every year since. Its legacy as a festive favourite has been cemented and is officially the Number 1 21st century Christmas track with over 62 million more streams than our runner-up Coldplay.
The definition of a modern Christmas classic.
When will the Official Christmas Number 1 2025 be announced?
The Christmas Number 1 race begins on Friday 12 December, with the 2025 Official Christmas Number 1 announced on Friday, December 19. The full Christmas Top 40 will be counted down on BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart with Jack Saunders from 4pm GMT.
The full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Official Christmas Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm GMT on Friday, December 19.
