The Eurovision Advent Calendar 2025

Those of you who follow me on Bluesky may have seen that over the course of December, I've been sharing some of my favourite Eurovision songs in the style of a traditional Advent Calendar: one song each day to take you on a trip down memory lane and bring a bit of Eurovision into the off-season (though we don't seem to be having much of an off-season this year).

Here, I'll be compiling all 24 of my chosen songs. If you've been following along on Bluesky, you'll have seen it all before and I won't be adding anything else - this is solely intended to record my thoughts and choices for the sake of posterity. You can find my Bluesky account [] if you're interested in future lists and countdowns like this.

Day 1: Norway 2019: KEiiNO - “Spirit in the Sky”

My favourite song from the Tel Aviv contest and one that I believe has stood the test of time. An absolute banger fully deserving of its televote victory.

Day 2: Luxembourg 1973: Anne-Marie David - “Tu te reconnaîtras”

A slightly older entry but in my opinion a classic. Hugely deserving of its victory and there’s a reason it gets brought up so often in lists of the all-time greats.

Day 3: Israel 2020: Eden Alene - “Feker Libi”

One of the lost treasures of the cancelled 2020 contest. This is my personal favourite of that cohort, I love the blend of languages and the catchy hook goes a long way! 

Day 4: Denmark 1963: Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann - “Dansevise”

One of the oldest songs on this list, but arguably one of the best of Eurovision’s early years. This manages to achieve the rare feat of feeling timeless rather than dated.

Day 5: Sweden 2008: Charlotte Perrelli - “Hero”

Charlotte’s second Eurovision attempt used to be my all-time favourite song! Whilst it’s not hugely groundbreaking, it’s catchy and fun, which feels like something we could all use!

Day 6: Belarus 2017: Naviband - “Story Of My Life”

My favourite of that year’s contest, a lovely song made of pure joy and happiness. Naviband are amazing people as well, and continue to show us that another Belarus is out there.

Day 7: Turkey 1997: Şebnem Paker - “Dinle”

Another country we sadly don’t see in Eurovision any more, Turkey gave us some great songs over the years and this is my personal favourite. Very catchy and I enjoy the ethnic elements.

Day 8: Ukraine 2024: alyona alyona and Jerry Heil - “Teresa & Maria”

This was my winner of Eurovision 2024 and in my opinion shows Ukraine at its absolute best. A beautiful song, two fantastic singers and great staging as well.

Day 9: North Macedonia 2019: Tamara Todevska - “Proud”

North Macedonia’s best result and very deservedly so. This is a fantastic song that I was so pleased to see defy all expectations in Tel Aviv.

Day 10: Serbia 2015: Bojana Stamenov - “Beauty Never Lies”

A feel-good anthem if ever there was one, this is such a great song performed brilliantly by Bojana. I love seeing how much it energised the crowd in Vienna.

Day 11: United Kingdom 1959: Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson - “Sing Little Birdie”

The oldest song on this list is one of my favourite British Eurovision entries. It has the authenticity and charm that we don’t often see from the UK.

Day 12: Russia 2021: Manizha - “Russian Woman”

Russia’s last Eurovision entry, and how wonderful that it was performed by Manizha, a pro-LGBT, anti-Putin Tajik refugee. The song itself stands up well and carries a great message.

Day 13: Sweden 2023: Loreen - “Tattoo”

One of the very few songs for which I struggle to find a flaw. Loreen’s return was everything I wanted it to be and more - and in my opinion, “Tattoo” earned every single point it scored.

Day 14: Finland 1977: Monica Aspelund - “Lapponia”

An older entry but in my opinion a classic, and the winner of an early ESC250. Monica’s vocals are exquisite, and that whistle note at the end deserves more than tenth place.

Day 15: Hungary 2018: AWS - “Viszlát Nyár”

This is an absolute banger and one of the finest rock songs in Eurovision history for the mood it creates. Hopefully we will see Hungary back in the contest one day. RIP Örs Siklósi 🤍

Day 16: Moldova 2022: Zdob şi Zdub and Advahov Brothers - “Trenulețul”

One of the most feel-good songs I’ve heard at Eurovision and, in my opinion, one that improved the most from its national selection. Absolutely love it!

Day 17: Ukraine 2021: Go_A - “Shum”

I am so pleased that Go_A eventually got their chance to shine on the Eurovision stage with this absolute banger! Another example of Ukraine at its best, and very deserving of its final result.

Day 18: Switzerland 2024: Nemo - “The Code”

Quite a recent one but one of the best winners we’ve had for a while. This song requires not only insane vocal talent but also physical strength, and it has a very important meaning.

Day 19: Sweden 1974: ABBA - “Waterloo”

Need I say more? This song had to come up at some point! There’s a very good reason that, more than fifty years later, this is still the song most closely associated with the contest.

Day 20: Israel 1983: Ofra Haza - “Hi”

Readers of my blog may know that this is one of my favourite Eurovision songs ever, so really it had to be on this list at some point. It’s such a catchy song and has a very powerful message.

Day 21: Albania 2025: Shkodra Elektronike - “Zjerm”

My favourite entry from this year’s contest and, in my opinion, the best Albania has sent. This song blends the traditional and the modern so well, and was performed perfectly.

Day 22: United Kingdom 2022: Sam Ryder - “Space Man”

I couldn’t not include the song that finally gave hope to every British Eurofan. The BBC got everything right, and the pride I felt watching Sam do so well is hard to describe.

Day 23: Sweden 2022: Cornelia Jakobs - “Hold Me Closer”

The other of my favourite Eurovision songs of all time. I love this song for the raw emotion it is filled with, and the way it builds and grows over the three minutes.

Day 24: United Kingdom 1997: Katrina and the Waves - “Love Shine a Light”

Is it saccharine beyond words? Possibly, but that’s what makes it perfect for Eurovision, and also perfect for Christmas. A message to remember right now.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas filled with peace, joy and love.