Christmas FM is searching for Ireland's next great Christmas song
Christmas FM is back — and this year, it’s not just looking for listeners. Ireland’s favourite festive station is on the hunt for the next great Christmas song, and it could be yours.
The SPAR Christmas FM Song Contest 2026 is now open for entries, inviting singers, songwriters and musicians from across the island of Ireland to submit an original Christmas song or cover for the chance to have their track broadcast alongside the likes of Wham!, Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. If you’ve ever hummed your way through the school run thinking I could write something better than this, well — here’s your moment.
How to enter
To be in with a chance, you’ll need to write and record your original Christmas song or cover and submit it along with an entry form at christmasfm.com/songcontest. The closing date is Saturday, 28 November at 1pm, so there’s a decent window to get something together — whether you’re a seasoned musician or someone who’s been quietly workshopping lyrics since last January.
Last year’s winning entry, ‘Here On Christmas Day’ by Tralee native Mark Leen, featured the Kerry School of Music Chamber Choir and the Kerry Children’s Choir. It was a gorgeous, proper Christmas song, and proof that you don’t need a record deal or a London studio to create something genuinely beautiful.
More than just a song contest
Christmas FM has always had a big heart behind the sparkly exterior. This year the station will once again run The Magic of Christmas fundraising appeal, raising money for charity partners Barnardos, Barretstown and Make-A-Wish Ireland, as well as children’s charities across Ireland through Community Foundation Ireland. The tagline says it best: “Give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas.” Hard to argue with that, especially if you’ve got little ones of your own who still believe every bit of the magic is real.
The winning track will be broadcast to Irish and international listeners when Christmas FM goes live — and that’s not too far away. For anyone who genuinely cannot wait (and honestly, after the year we’ve all had, who can blame you), the station will be available to stream online and on DAB+ from 1st November at christmasfm.com. The full FM return, subject to licence, is scheduled for 28th November.
Go on, give it a go
There’s something quietly brilliant about the idea of a mum — possibly still in her dressing gown, baby on her hip, coffee going cold — crafting the next Irish Christmas classic at the kitchen table. It’s happened with stranger things. If you’ve got musical talent tucked away and a festive idea rattling around in your head, this is genuinely worth a shot.
You can follow Christmas FM on social at @christmasfm and keep up with The Magic of Christmas appeal at @supportthemagic or via themagicofchristmas.ie.