What Christmas Songs Are Public Domain ?
If you want to use Christmas music in a YouTube video, app, film, podcast, church service, school play, or commercial project, one question matters more than any other:
What Christmas songs are public domain?
This guide gives you a clear, reliable answer. It explains which Christmas songs are truly free to use, which ones are only partly free, and which popular holiday songs are still fully copyrighted. It’s written for creators and business owners who want to avoid copyright strikes and legal trouble.
Quick Answer (Short List)
Many traditional Christmas carols written before 1929 are public domain. That includes classics like:
- Silent Night
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Joy to the World
- O Holy Night
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
But not every Christmas song is public domain. Many modern favorites are still protected by copyright.
What “Public Domain” Means for Christmas Songs
A public domain song is not owned by anyone. You can:
- Perform it
- Record it
- Arrange it
- Sell your own recordings
- Use it in videos or ads
…without permission or royalties.
Important detail:
Public domain applies to the song itself, not modern recordings or arrangements.
This distinction causes most copyright problems.
Why So Many Christmas Songs Are Public Domain
Christmas music is unique because:
- Many carols were written in the 1700s and 1800s
- Others come from folk or religious traditions
- U.S. copyright expires for works published before 1929
As a result, a large portion of traditional Christmas music is free to use.
Fully Public Domain Christmas Songs (Safe List)
The following songs are public domain in the United States. You may freely use the melody and original lyrics.
Classic Christmas Carols
- Silent Night (Stille Nacht, 1818)
- O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
- Joy to the World
- O Holy Night
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Away in a Manger
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
- What Child Is This? (to Greensleeves)
- The First Noel
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- Deck the Halls
- We Three Kings
- Once in Royal David’s City
These songs are commonly used in churches, schools, films, and commercials because they are legally safe.
Traditional & Folk Christmas Songs (Public Domain)
Many holiday songs come from oral tradition and are also public domain:
- Go Tell It on the Mountain
- Good King Wenceslas
- I Saw Three Ships
- Masters in This Hall
- The Holly and the Ivy
- Coventry Carol
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
These songs often have multiple lyric versions, all considered part of the public domain tradition.
Christmas Songs That Are Only Partly Public Domain
Some famous Christmas songs are partially public domain.
Example: Carol of the Bells
- Melody (from Shchedryk) → Public domain
- English lyrics → Copyrighted
Example: What Child Is This?
- Melody (Greensleeves) → Public domain
- Lyrics → Public domain
- Modern arrangements → Copyrighted
This is why you must always check lyrics, melody, and arrangement separately.
Christmas Songs That Are NOT Public Domain
These popular holiday songs are still copyrighted and require permission to use:
- White Christmas
- Jingle Bell Rock
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Frosty the Snowman
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- Feliz Navidad
- Do They Know It’s Christmas?
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
Age does not equal public domain. Many of these were written in the 1940s–1990s.
Can You Use Public Domain Christmas Songs on YouTube?
Yes—but only if you do it correctly.
Safe:
- Your own recording of a public domain song
- An original arrangement
- Instrumental versions you create yourself
Risky:
- Using someone else’s choir recording
- Downloading “free” Christmas tracks
- Copying a well-known arrangement
Even public domain songs can trigger Content ID if the recording is copyrighted.
Using Public Domain Christmas Songs Commercially
You can use public domain Christmas songs in:
- Ads and promotions
- Mobile apps and games
- Films and documentaries
- Business websites
- Paid courses
- Podcasts
As long as:
✔ The song itself is public domain
✔ The recording is yours or licensed
You do not owe royalties for the underlying song.
Public Domain vs Royalty-Free Christmas Music
Public domain
- No copyright at all
- Free forever
- No license required
Royalty-free
- Still copyrighted
- Licensed for specific uses
- Often restricted
Many “royalty-free Christmas songs” are not public domain.
How to Use Christmas Songs Safely (Creator Checklist)
Before publishing anything, ask:
- Is the song written before 1929?
- Am I using the original lyrics?
- Did I record this myself?
- Is the arrangement original?
If the answer is “no” to originality, you probably need a license.
Best Practice for Creators
If you want zero risk:
- Choose a clearly public domain Christmas song
- Create your own performance or hire a musician
- Keep arrangements simple and original
- Avoid copying famous versions
This approach works for YouTube, ads, apps, and client projects.
