The Next Holiday Classic Song Contest ("Contest") is an international songwriting competition created to discover original holiday songs from independent songwriters that have the potential to become enduring seasonal classics.
The Contest includes song submissions, multiple judging rounds, audience voting, and a final winner selection.
The Contest is open to:
Not eligible:
Participants must comply with all applicable local laws.
September 1 – November 1, 2026
Entries received outside this period will not be accepted.
The Next Holiday Classic (TNHC) song contest is open to songwriters, lyricists and composers who have not earned over $1,000 in songwriting royalties during the past calendar year.
All entries must be original songs and must not infringe any copyrights or rights of third parties. No AI-generated songs will be accepted.
Songs may have multiple co-writers, but only one name should be designated on the entry form. Entrants agree to indemnify TNHC against any claims.
Songs may not have been previously released commercially.
Only one song per entrant. MP3 format required. Lyrics must be included, in English, and must reflect a winter holiday theme.
Songs will be evaluated based on:
Judges may include professional songwriters, producers, music supervisors, and industry professionals.
Thirty (30) entries will be selected and placed into three weekly semi-finals.
Semi-finals will be held the weeks of:
Each semi-final includes 10 songs.
Top 3 songs by audience vote each week advance + 1 wildcard (judges choice).
Finals run December 15 – December 21.
Final scoring:
Winners announced December 24.
Winners must sign an affidavit confirming ownership rights. Taxes and distribution among co-writers are the responsibility of the winner.
Entry constitutes permission to use the winner's name, likeness, and voice for promotional purposes.
The first-place winner grants TNHC an exclusive 18-month option to represent the song for placement opportunities.
All decisions by TNHC are final. Contest may be modified or canceled if necessary.
Entrants grant TNHC a non-exclusive license to feature and stream submissions for contest-related purposes.
TNHC is not responsible for technical failures, lost submissions, or system errors.
Personal data will be used only for contest administration and communication.
Governed by the laws of Ohio, USA.
By submitting an entry, participants agree to these Official Rules.