Kylie Minogue's 'XMAS' Leads the Race for Christmas Number One! 🎄✨ (2026)

The race for this year’s Christmas number one is heating up, and it’s a battle that’s as fierce as it is festive. But here’s where it gets controversial: could Kylie Minogue finally claim the top spot after nearly two decades, or will Wham’s Last Christmas make history by reigning supreme for the third year in a row? And let’s not forget the underdog—a charity single with a powerful message that’s just 231 sales behind the competition. This isn’t just about music; it’s about legacy, innovation, and the power of a song to unite or divide opinions.

Pop icon Kylie Minogue is currently leading the charge with her new single XMAS, a track that’s as catchy as it is strategic. With a 7,000-unit lead over Wham’s Last Christmas, Kylie’s song isn’t just a festive tune—it’s an Amazon exclusive. And this is the part most people miss: every time someone asks their smart speaker to play Christmas music, Kylie’s track comes first, giving her a streaming edge that could be game-changing. If she maintains this lead, XMAS would mark her first UK number one since Slow in 2003—a milestone she admits would bring her to tears. “It’s been an unbelievable year,” she told the BBC, “so that would be the cherry on top.”

Kylie’s song, which she performed on Strictly Come Dancing, even includes a dance routine spelling out “X-M-A-S,” giving it a playful nod to the iconic YMCA. But the real magic lies in its backstory. XMAS was originally recorded during the sessions for her Kylie Christmas album but never made the final cut. “It’s the only song that’s ever lived with me this long,” she revealed, admitting it’s always bothered her that it wasn’t finished. Now, a decade later, it’s finally seeing the light of day—and it’s already topping the album charts.

Trailing closely behind is Wham’s Last Christmas, a perennial favorite that’s dominated the charts for the past two years. If it clinches the top spot again, it will become the first song ever to achieve Christmas number one three times. But its massive streaming numbers aren’t just about nostalgia—they’re a testament to its enduring appeal. Here’s a thought-provoking question: does Last Christmas deserve another win, or is it time for a new song to take the crown?

In third place is Lullaby by Together For Palestine, a charity single featuring an all-star lineup including Bastille’s Dan Smith, Celeste, and Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock. This track isn’t just competing for chart position—it’s raising funds for aid in Gaza. Based on the traditional Palestinian folk song Yamma Mwel El Hawa with new English lyrics by Peter Gabriel, Lullaby carries a message of resilience, defiance, and hope. “The lyrics are a strong confirmation of what it means to be Palestinian,” says Nai Barghouti, one of the featured artists. For her, charting would be “a small beam of light in such darkness.”

But the competition doesn’t stop there. Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You and The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York are hot on their heels, with the latter boosted by a limited-edition zoetrope vinyl release. Fairytale has famously held every position in the Top 20 except number one—could this be its year to break the curse?

With less than 10,000 sales separating the top five, the race is anyone’s game. Here’s the kicker: this is all preliminary data, and as more streaming numbers come in, the rankings could shift dramatically. Kylie might be leading now, but Wham’s streaming power and the emotional pull of Lullaby could still turn the tide.

No matter who wins, Kylie won’t be in the UK to celebrate. “I’m heading home,” she shared, looking forward to a low-key holiday with family and a jigsaw puzzle. But for fans, the real question remains: which song deserves the top spot? Is it Kylie’s long-awaited comeback, Wham’s timeless classic, or the heartfelt charity single? What do you think? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to keep the festive spirit alive.