5,000-Step Christmas Walking Playlist
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Well…here we are: at the beginning of December. For some of us, this time of year is the best time of year—a time for holiday movies and sweet treats and gatherings with friends. For others, it’s a time of utter chaos—a time for school projects and Christmas concerts and scrambling to find the perfect gift for everyone on our list. Whatever your reality may be during December, you’ll want to make some time to get away for a while and get those steps in. And I’ve got just the playlist for you!
As it turns out, most holiday songs either have a really slow pace or a ridiculously fast one—but, somehow, I’ve managed to put together a mix of holiday songs that will keep you moving all through the month. Some songs are familiar classics, and some are quirky surprises—but they’re all filled with holiday cheer.
A little more about the playlist:
I’ve included a number of different ways to listen. I’ve got YouTube videos posted below. If you want to download the MP3, I’ve also got links to find them on Amazon. Or you can listen to the whole thing by playing the Spotify playlist.
For each song in this playlist, I’ve listed the beats per minute, the pace (in minutes per mile) that you’ll be walking if you’re walking to the beat, and the number of steps that you’ll take during the song if you keep up that pace. We’ll start with an easy pace and work our way up, finishing with a cool-down. The songs here eventually build up to a pretty brisk pace, but take it at a pace that works for you—whether that means moving faster or slower. You’re totally allowed to dance and sing your way through this playlist, too (in fact, it’s almost guaranteed). If you follow the pace of each song, you’ll be over 5,000 steps (or around 2.5 miles) by the time you reach the end. If you’re looking for more steps, feel free to play it again—or move on to another one of my playlists. You can find them all on the Playlists page.
1) “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-DMC
We’re warming up for our holiday walk with an easy-going holiday rap about a surprising run-in with Santa and his reindeer. It might give you a warm and cozy feeling—and make you crave chicken and macaroni and cheese—but just keep walking. There’s so much more to come!
Beats per Minute: 95
Pace: 21:03
Steps: 283
2) “This Christmas” – PJ Morton (feat. Hasizzle)
I’ve always loved this holiday song—in all its different versions—but this version is sure to give you an extra spring in your step in addition to that holiday joy in your heart.
Beats per Minute: 100
Pace: 20:00
Steps: 275
3) “Last Christmas” – Wham!
Okay…I know that some people find this holiday song almost as unbearable as that ever-present Mariah Carey song—but I happen to love it. Granted, the movie from a couple of years ago almost ruined it for me, but I’m still holding on because of my love for George Michael.
Beats per Minute: 108
Pace: 18:31
Steps: 473
4) “Merry Christmas” – Ed Sheeran and Elton John
Elton John at a red piano…Ed Sheeran pouring you a glass of wine and singing about the joy of Christmas and the hope for better things to come. It just doesn’t get a whole lot more festive (or lovable) than that.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 114
Pace: 17:33
Steps: 397
5) “Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses
This lovable new wave hit from the ‘80s is such a random Christmas classic—so we just couldn’t have a playlist without it.
Beats per Minute: 116
Pace: 17:14
Steps: 626
6) “And Anyway It’s Christmas” – !!!
Speaking of random holiday tracks…this dance-party-ready track is full the romance and wonder of the holiday season—and it’ll help you pick up the pace a bit on your holiday walk, too.
Beats per Minute: 122
Pace: 16:24
Steps: 449
7) “My Gift Is You” – Gwen Stefani
I feel like this song is the musical equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas Movie—festive and oh-so-sweet. It’s sure to give you that warm, fuzzy, Christmas-romance feeling on your holiday walk.
Beats per Minute: 123
Pace: 16:16
Steps: 349
8) “Candy Cane Lane” – Sia
This song is just such a playful holiday song—all color and candy and Christmas fun. It’s the kind of song that you can’t hear without feeling just a little bit of holiday spirit—no matter how hectic the season may be.
Beats per Minute: 130
Pace: 15:23
Steps: 459
9) “Holidays” – Meghan Trainor feat. Earth, Wind & Fire
It’s just not a party without at least one track by Meghan Trainor. And adding in a little bit of Earth, Wind & Fire to this festive dance track only adds to the holiday fun. It’s guaranteed to help you pick up the pace on your holiday walk.
Beats per Minute: 132
Pace: 15:09
Steps: 363
10) “DJ Play a Christmas Song” – Cher
Cher has been a club favorite since…well before I was born. But while other people her age have long traded in their dancing shoes and disco balls for Wheel of Fortune, she’s still cranking out tunes that make you want to hit the dance floor—and you just can’t help but love her for it.
Beats per Minute: 134
Pace: 14:56
Steps: 467
11) “Cozy Little Christmas” – Katy Perry
What could be better than sharing the holidays with someone you love? In this cute (and cheeky) Christmas love song, Katy Perry is all about kicking back for the holidays with her favorite guy (Santa, of course).
Beats per Minute: 137
Pace: 14:36
Steps: 418
12) “Like It’s Christmas” – Jonas Brothers
Leave it to the JoBros to release a catchy, lovable holiday pop tune like this one. It’s such a fun, festive, and cheery song. And while the pace is decidedly…brisk, don’t worry—the cool-down is coming!
Beats per Minute: 146
Pace: 13:42
Steps: 489
12) “Santa’s Coming for Us” – Sia
Hey hey! It’s cool-down time! For our festive walking playlist, we’re doubling up on some Sia. Our cool-down track may have an easy pace, but it’s got a little bit of a groove to it—one that might just have you dancing your way to the end of today’s holiday walk.
Beats per Minute: 93
Pace: 21:30
Steps: 321
Total Time for Today’s Workout: 44:55
Total Steps: 5,042
And that’s it—the end of our festive walking playlist! I hope your walk filled you with the holiday spirit—no matter how hectic this time of year may be.
If you’ve been keeping up with the beat, you’ve just gotten over 5,000 steps (or around 2.5 miles). Way to get those steps in! If you’re feeling like getting more steps, feel free to hit play again and keep the holiday party going!
Do you have any favorite holiday songs for walking? I’d love to hear your favorites (and add them to my next holiday playlist)!
