Holiday Music

We run a mix of classic and modern takes on Christmas music. For many years we did a different theme each night but over the years we shifted back to a combination of songs so we could enjoy all of the many holiday songs out there. We decided to put most of the old stuff away for this year and do some new songs to keep things fresh. We added eight songs to this year’s display and redid two others. Check out our notes on what was are currently playing:

Note: the videos are for the songs themselves on YouTube. They are not of our display (although we hope to get them video’d in 2023!).

A Christmas Festival by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops (2009)

We have used this song since 2009 and is one of our favorites. Many people prefer to sequence shorter songs but Ryan really wanted to take a long song, with a medley of several songs, and sequence it. Over the years this has had tweaks made to it but it’s a mainstay in our display and (we believe) it always will be!

A Christmas Storm by ASHBA (2022)

ASHBA is the former guitarist of Guns N Roses and Sixx AM. Over the past two decades he has pioneered a new genre of music called GDM, “Guitar Dance Music” by morphing big rock guitar with electronic music. This is a song that jumped out at us and was something new and exciting to add!

Angels We Have Heard On High by the Piano Guys (2022)

The Piano Guys have become one of Ryan’s favorite artists and this song encapsulates why. The group a miraculous meeting of “guys” with the same intrinsic purpose – to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos.

Christmas Canon Rock by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2009)

This is one of the first songs we really sequenced to and has been a staple in our display every year. Riley told Ryan in 2022 that this is her favorite song we’ve ever done.

Christmas TV Classics Medley – Our mix of those TV classics we all remember and love! (2022)

Ryan always like medleys and this was something he wanted to do from the first time he heard it. Originally created by one of the other members of Planet Christmas (we cannot remember who so if you know please email us!), Ryan modified it a bit and it debuts in 2022!

Peanuts Opening
Frosty the Snowman
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
I’m Mr Snow Miser
I’m Mr Heat Miser
You’re a Mean One Mr Grinch
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The Most Wonderful Day of the Year
Holly Jolly Christmas

I Feel Like A Kid Again – JAX (2022)

Jax is an artist we have admired since she was on season 14 of (the original) American Idol. She has since gone on to have a songwriting career of her own and has made an impact for girls and women everywhere with 2022’s “Victoria’s Secret”. When we heard this song we had to include it in the show!

Little Drummer Boy (Live) – for KING & COUNTRY (2022)

This song erupted onto the Christmas light community in 2020. Amazing drum beats and a sweeping chorus made this a must for us!

Nuttin for Christmas – The Plain White T’s (2022)

Every once in awhile you just want to hear an up-tempo song that makes you want to sing along. Ryan’s aunts taught him this song when he was very young and so, when he heard this, we decided to add it.

The Magic of Christmas Day – Dee Snider & Lzzy Hale (2022)

As you can tell, Ryan likes rock music and the drums, guitars and vocals of this one made for fun sequencing! The Celine Dion version is gorgeous (check it out here) but doesn’t lend itself to dancing lights like this heavier version does.

Yuletide Zeppelin – Mojochronic (2022)

Something very special! Ryan has had this song on “the list” for over 5 years but never found the time to do the sequencing. In 2022 it was a priority and he dove in. Led Zeppelin is his all-time favorite band/artist and this is an amazing medley of Zeppelin combined with classic holiday songs. We’re so happy to have it finally in the display!

We use A LOT of different music in our display. For over 10 years we ran different theme nights. In 2019 we changed to a mash of all the nights because visitors told us they were missing certain nights. Music is such a huge part of the holidays so enjoy!

Retired Songs (For Now! We hope to bring some back in 2023/2024):

Jim Reeves – Silent Night
The Chipmunks – Christmas Don’t Be Late
Josh Groban – O Holy Night
Burl Ives – Holly Jolly Christmas
Julie Andrews – Joy to the World
Chet Atkins – Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus – We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Mannheim Steamroller – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Trumpet Intro Johnson Edit)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night (Instrumental)
Mannheim Steamroller – Traditions of Christmas
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Good King Joy (Johnson Edit)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
Mannheim Steamroller – Hallelujah
Shake Up The Happiness – Train
The Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight)
Brian Setzer Orchestra – Jingle Bells
Simple Plan – Christmas List
Jingle Punx – Up On The Housetop
Twisted Sister – O Come All Ye Faithful (Johnson Edit)
Smash Mouth – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Johnson Live Edit)
Brad Paisley – Winter Wonderland
Alabama – Christmas in Dixie
Garth Brooks – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Kenny Chesney – The Angel at the Top of My Tree
Lee Greenwood – Lone Star Christmas
Toby Keith – We Three Kings
Branded Duo – White Christmases In Houston
Rockband – Santa Went Down To Georgia
All Songs Below by the City of Prague Philharmonic unless noted with **
20th Century Fox Fanfare
Star Wars (Theme From A New Hope)
2001: A Space Odyssey
Miracle on 34th St Overature**
Gone With the Wind (Tara’s Theme)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (The Conversation)
Dueling Banjos (from Deliverance)
Jaws
Rocky (Gonna Fly Now)
The Godfather Theme (Speak Softly Love)
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Wizard of Oz (Opening Medley)**
Theme from Titanic (My Heart Will Go On)
Superman
Seasons of Love (From Rent Original Cast Recording)**
You’re A Mean One Mr Grinch (Boris Karloff)**
Kellie Coffey – Believe in Holiday Magic (Johnson Edit)
I Farted On Santa’s Lap
Newsong – The Christmas Shoes
Simple Plan – Christmas List (w/ Wizards in Winter/Record Scratch Intro)
The Chipmunks – Jingle Bell Rock
Mannheim Steamroller – Carol of the Bells
Bob McGrath – Keep Christmas With You
Mannheim Steamroller – Fairies
Hannah Montana – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Faith Hill – Holly Jolly Christmas
Chariots of Fire
Original Broadway Soundtrack – Annie (Opening Medley)**
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Raider’s March)