Attention, Ireland’s festive music makers!
Are you a music artist with a festive song that could help ‘Switch Christmas On’ across the nation this year?
Are you a musician or music fan who has written a jolly tune or recorded a cover of a Christmas classic that could help ‘Switch Christmas On’ across Ireland this year? Do you have a holiday melody that could sprinkle a little Christmas cheer? If so, Christmas FM wants to hear from you!
The nation’s go-to radio station for Christmas music has unveiled ‘The SPAR Christmas FM Song Contest’ for 2025 in an effort to discover the next Christmas hit that will help spread joy throughout the nation. The winning song will have the honour of being broadcasted to Christmas FM’s Irish and international fans along with the likes of Christmas superstars such as Wham!, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and more.
Fostering local talent, entrants from across the island of Ireland are asked to submit their application ahead of the closing date at 1pm on Friday, 28th November. It’s simple, all you have to do is write and record your very own Christmassy tune or a cover version and fill out the entry form here: www.christmasfm.com/songcontest.
Last year, ‘Merry Jolly Christmas’ by Siobhán McAleese, featuring The Magic of Christmas Kids, was announced as the overall winner. The song was written by Kells native, Siobhán, and it was a playful festive song for kids (and adults!) to enjoy at Christmas. The catchy chorus was inspired by Siobhán’s two children, Maisie and Dylan – and the stars of the song are The Magic of Christmas Kids.
Siobhán McAleese, winner of The SPAR Christmas FM Song Contest 2024, says: “It was a huge honour to be last year’s winner of the 2024 Christmas FM Song Contest and to hear my Christmas tune played on the station. Moreso, it was a lot of fun to record with The Magic of Christmas Kids and I was overjoyed I could create a song inspired by my two kids’. I strongly recommend anyone with a love for singing or music to throw their Christmas hat into the ring and give it a go! Who knows, you could be next.”
Walter Hegarty, Co-Founder of Christmas FM, said: “We are delighted to run ‘The SPAR Christmas FM Contest’ again for 2025. We love to encourage and inspire homegrown talent and this contest is a wonderful opportunity. From the classic singers like Elvis and Frank Sinatra, 70’s and 80’s nostalgia of Slade and Paul McCartney to pop icons Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, Christmas FM is the festive music station that ‘Switches Christmas On’ across Ireland every year.”
Christmas FM will switch Christmas on in Ireland when it returns to the FM airwaves on the 28th November 2025 (subject to license) for its 18th year on air. Broadcasting almost nationwide, the station plays round-the-clock Christmas music, spreading cheer and goodwill every single day in the run up to Christmas. The station is presented on air each year by up to 100 volunteers who devote hundreds of hours of their time assisted by a core management team. Meanwhile, the costs of running Christmas FM are covered by various sponsors, ensuring listener donations go directly to The Magic of Christmas fundraising initiative. This year the station’s FM sponsors are An Post, Cadbury, and Coca-Cola.
Christmas FM will also be broadcasting from Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley who have kindly donated their studio space again this year.
While Christmas FM returns to the airwaves on 28th November (subject to licence), it is streaming now online since November 1st at www.christmasfm.com, serving up a feast of merry tunes to get everyone in the holiday spirit – whether you’re in Ireland or jingling all the way from across the globe.
You can follow the station on social at: @christmasfm
Christmas FM – Bringing You the Magic of Christmas
