How Much Does Mariah Carey Make Every Christmas? We All Want to Know

Between streaming, downloads, album sales, live performances, and merchandise deals, Mariah Carey's Christmas tunes give a big boost to her net worth each December. McSleepy / Shutterstock

Every December, one question pops up like clockwork: How much does Mariah Carey make every Christmas?

Thanks to her timeless hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You," the pop star sees a surge in fame and fortune each holiday season. From chart domination to sold-out tours, Mariah Carey's Christmas time isn't just iconic. It's incredibly profitable.

Annual Royalties and Revenue Breakdown

So, how much does the singer earn during the holidays? Industry analysts estimate that Carey earns roughly $2.5 to 3 million in royalties per year from the song.

As of 2023, the song had generated an estimated $100 million in total royalties since its 1994 release.

These royalties include:

Master recording revenue from Sony Music
Mechanical royalties from physical and digital sales
Streaming income from platforms like Spotify
Performance royalties when the song is played in public venues or broadcast

As the co-writer and performer, Carey receives a significant share of this income, especially during the holiday season.

The Track That Keeps on Giving

Released in November 1994 as part of the "Merry Christmas" album, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was co-written with Walter Afanasieff.

Since then, the track has become the most streamed holiday song of all time and consistently returns to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s holiday music charts each season.

In 2021, the song became the first and only holiday single to earn a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond certification, awarded for reaching 10 million units in the U.S.

The song earned Carey three Guinness World Records titles in 2019—including the highest-charting holiday song on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo artist and the most streamed track on Spotify in 24 hours by a female artist.

Tours, Specials, and Live Performances

Mariah Carey performs onstage each year with themed tours and appearances. From Madison Square Garden in New York to high-profile holiday events in California, her Christmas performances add millions to her seasonal earnings.

In December, fans can expect her to appear on TV specials or livestreamed concerts. These performances are often accompanied by merchandise sales and exclusive deals with labels and sponsors.

Merchandising and Licensing

Beyond the music, Mariah Carey's brand generates income from holiday merchandise, fragrance lines, and partnerships. Products tied to her Christmas image—like sweaters, ornaments, and gift sets—are heavily marketed each November and December.

The song's success also led to licensing in ads, movies, and even video games. Each licensing deal contributes to a holiday revenue stream that most artists only dream of.

Holiday Discography and Other Tracks

While "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the standout, her holiday catalog includes songs like "Silent Night," "O Holy Night," and her version of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."

All these tracks see a rise in streaming during the festive season.

Her album "Merry Christmas" and its follow-up, "Merry Christmas II You," sell consistently well each holiday. Apple Music, Amazon, and other platforms feature these albums prominently in curated Christmas playlists.

Whether it's Christmas Day or late November, you're likely to hear her song somewhere—and each time you do, it adds a few more dollars to the queen's holiday fortune.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.