SomaFM Department Store Christmas

Instrumental holiday muzak from the department stores of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Kitsch, cosy and strangely addictive.

Department Store Christmas is the newest of SomaFM's holiday channels, launched in 2019. It plays what used to be called beautiful music: orchestral, easy-listening versions of Christmas songs, the kind heard in shops and lifts from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Expect lush string arrangements from groups such as the Living Strings rather than familiar vocal hits. It's gentle and unobtrusive, and works well behind wrapping, baking or a quiet afternoon.

As with all of SomaFM, it has no adverts and is paid for by listeners.