There’s something about a good audiobook that makes the holiday season feel even cozier. Put on a Christmas story while you’re decorating the tree, wrapping presents, or driving around looking at lights… and suddenly even the most mundane holiday tasks feel a little more festive!
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And there’s no shortage of great holiday listens, whether you’re looking for a classic Christmas story or a feel-good romance. Some are cozy and predictable in the best possible way, while others have a little more drama, humor, or even murder mixed in.
So if you’re looking for something festive to listen to this holiday season, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Christmas and holiday audiobooks below WITH NO SPOILERS. And PS: Some of these titles may be exclusive to an Audible subscription, which I find definitely worth my while. If you’re interested in checking out Audible, you can use this link for a free 30-day trial.
Looking for something a little cozy and magical outside the holiday season? Check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Fantasy Audiobooks. Plus, you can find all of my audiobook favorites here.
1. Mistletoe Murders by Ken Cuperus
Let’s start things off strong with my favorite holiday listen that also happens to be my favorite cozy mystery series, Mistletoe Murders. This series is the perfect blend of hard-to-solve mysteries, quaint small town characters, and lots of humor mixed in. It’s a full cast production led by the excellent Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) as the owner of a year-round Christmas store, and it’s been adapted into a Hallmark series with Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy), which I also highly recommend! They change the mysteries for the TV show, so even if you’ve listened to the audiobooks, you’ll still be surprised. This is an Audible Original, so it’s available for free with an Audible subscription.
PS: If you’re looking for more listens like this, check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks.
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol never really gets old, especially when it’s narrated by the late great Tim Curry. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but miserly man who has very little patience for Christmas, or pretty much anyone around him. But after being visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, Scrooge is forced to look back at his past, consider his present, and confront what his future could look like if he doesn’t change. I love the snowy Victorian London setting, and it’s a short listen, making it perfect for the holiday season. Plus, let me repeat… Tim Curry narrating. I’m sold.
3. Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
Looking for a little more love? Enter Good Spirits by B.K. Borison. It’s a fun, cozy holiday romance with a supernatural twist. The story follows Riley, a woman who finds herself unexpectedly dealing with a ghost (and not exactly the friendly kind) during the holiday season. As the two become entangled in each other’s lives, things become… complicated. It’s lighthearted, festive, and easy to get swept up in, making it a great audiobook to put on when you want something fun and romantic for the holidays. But this audiobook does get a little spicy, so probably best not to listen to as a family around the fire.
4. Eight Winter Nights by Liz Maverick
Then we have a great Hanukkah rom-com series written by Liz Maverick, starting with Eight Winter Nights. The story of this first installment follows a woman who finds herself spending eight nights celebrating Hanukkah with a charming stranger, and as these things tend to do… it all becomes much more complicated. I loved the festive atmosphere and the way the story blends romance with Jewish holiday traditions. It’s warm, playful, and easy to listen to, making it a great choice if you want something romantic and festive that celebrates a different side of the holiday season. Plus, every story in the series has dual narrators to bring the love interests to life. This is an Audible Original and available for free with an Audible subscription.
5. One Day in December by Josie Silver
If you want a romance that’s a little more complex than a typical rom-com, One Day in December is for you. The story begins when Laurie spots a man through a bus window and is convinced they’ve shared a magical moment, but the two never get a chance to meet. And the book follows them through years of complicated relationships, missed chances, and difficult choices. It’s romantic, messy, and a little heartbreaking at times, making it a great choice if you want a holiday audiobook that’s about more than just a simple happily-ever-after.
6. Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall
Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist follows Nick and Noel, two people who find themselves spending more time together during the holidays after a chance encounter brings them into each other’s lives. As they get to know each other, a shared love of Christmas music helps bring them closer, and romance blooms. This is a light and sweet rom-com that isn’t too heavy, making it a great audiobook to put on while decorating the tree, wrapping presents, or just getting into the Christmas spirit. But be warned… this audiobook does have some spicy scenes!
7. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
Had enough of holiday rom-coms and feeling more like a murder mystery? Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie is a classic. The story takes place at the home of Simeon Lee, a wealthy and thoroughly unpleasant man who gathers his family together for Christmas. When murder comes knocking, Hercule Poirot is called in to figure out which member of the family could possibly be responsible. I love how Christie combines the cozy setting of a family Christmas with a classic locked-room mystery, creating a story that feels festive and sinister at the same time. There are plenty of secrets, suspicious characters, and twists to keep you guessing, making this a great choice if you want something a little different to listen to over the holidays.
8. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
If you love a quirky sense of humor and just need a good laugh, let me introduce you to one of my favorite holiday listens, Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. The always-entertaining Sedaris personally narrates a series of stories about everything from working as a department-store elf to the strange traditions and family dynamics that can make the holidays so memorable. Since the essays are short, it’s also an easy audiobook to dip in and out of whenever you have a few minutes. If you’re looking for something funny and a little irreverent to balance out all the sentimental holiday stories, this is a great pick.
9. The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Looking for something cozy and romantic with absolutely no spice? The Christmas Bookshop is for you. The story follows Carmen, who is struggling after losing her job and is reluctantly convinced to help her sister run a tiny bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland (I’m sold). The shop is struggling, too, so Carmen finds herself trying to bring it back to life just as the holiday season begins. There’s also plenty of family drama, romance, and small-community charm mixed in to keep you invested. And as a bonus, the narrator has a beautiful Scottish accent to bring the Edinburgh setting to life.
10. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re looking for a great family listen, look no further than Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yes, the same Tolkien who wrote The Lord of the Rings! The book collects the letters Tolkien wrote to his children over several decades, written as “Father Christmas”, complete with stories about the North Pole, mischievous elves, talking polar bears, and all sorts of magical adventures. I love how imaginative these letters are (I wouldn’t expect less from a fantasy author), and it’s especially interesting knowing they were created as a family tradition rather than originally intended for publication. Plus, it’s narrated by acclaimed English actor Derek Jacobi, who does a delightful job of bringing Father Christmas to life.
I hope this list helps you as you search for your next great holiday audiobook! If you’re looking for more cozy listens, check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks, or find all of my favorite audiobooks here.
