UK’s favourite Christmas carols revealed – does yours make the top spot?

CHRISTMAS carols are seeing a resurgence in popularity – thanks to Gen Z.

A study of 2,000 adults who celebrate the festive season found 85 per cent either enjoy hearing or singing carols during December.

But it’s Gen Z who claim to be the biggest fans (90 per cent), with 29 per cent saying hearing the music reminds them of their time at school.

While 43 per cent said it helps them remember fond memories with their friends and family.

It also emerged Gen Z are more likely to know the words to classics including ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ than their older Millennial, Gen X and Boomer counterparts.

‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Silent Night’ and ‘We Three Kings’ are also among the carols young adults are more likely to be able to sing along to than all other age groups.

Following the findings, Chessington World of Adventures, which commissioned the research, hosted an adrenaline-fuelled concert that saw The Crypt Choir of The King’s School Canterbury belt out a rendition of Ding Dong! Merrily on High on its Mandrill Mayhem rollercoaster – at 45mph and 66ft up in the air.

Howard Ebison, divisional director of Chessington World of Adventures which is kicking off its Christmas event, Winter’s Tail, with the extreme carol concert, said: “Many of us love carols – particularly the younger generation judging by these findings.

“We love bringing a little extra excitement to the festive season, and what better way than combining the joy of Christmas carols with the thrills of our rides?

“We’re excited to have partnered with the incredible Crypt Choir of The King’s School Canterbury for this one-of-a-kind performance.”

The research also revealed the nation’s top carols, with ‘Silent Night’ at the top of the list.

This was followed by ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Jingle Bells’, with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ completing the top five.

Other popular tunes included Away in a Manager, Once in Royal David’s City and Little Donkey.

Three in 10 (30 per cent) of those polled said carols are one of their favourite things about the festive season.

Despite the appeal of Christmas pop hits, 45 per cent still prefer timeless traditional carols, with 21 per cent confessing to listening to festive songs almost daily during this time.

While 67 per cent said carols are crucial in creating the perfect holiday atmosphere.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, found of all adults polled, 41 per cent admitted they appreciate Christmas carols more when everything around them feels festive.

A quarter listen to them a few times a week during the festive season, saying their favourite places to listen are at home (25 per cent), shopping centres and stores (18 per cent) and church (17 per cent).

While 14 per cent find listening to Christmas music comforting at any time of the year, 28 per cent warn that listening to it too early can lead to festive burnout.

More than half (52 per cent) of young adults aged 18-27 consider November an acceptable time for Christmas carols to be played, with only 16 per cent of Boomers feeling the same way.

But 40 per cent of younger adults claim it’s never too early to start up the Christmas music.

And they are more likely to listen to the festive songs daily than those in their late 50s onwards.

Younger adults are also more likely to be attending a carol concert this year – while 31 per cent of adults hope to go to one, this rises to 38 per cent of Gen Z and 47 per cent of millennials.

But 12 per cent of all those polled find carols boring, with 18 per cent admitting they haven’t sung one since they were in school.

The Crypt Choir of The King’s School Canterbury will launch Chessington World of Adventures Winter’s Tail event, which includes a grotto, live shows and entertainment, with an exclusive carol concert for guests on 23rd November.

Will Bersey, director of music at The King’s School Canterbury said: “Such extreme carol singing was an experience our choristers won’t forget any time soon.

“Singing traditional carols while riding a rollercoaster was a challenge, but one we embraced with great enthusiasm.

“We’re looking forward to our festive performance at the Winter’s Tail event, though perhaps from a more stationary position.”