Christmas Crackers is a Portland-based holiday pop duo blending camp, synths, and unapologetic festive joy into a sound that’s both retro and refreshingly modern.
Formed by longtime collaborators Alison Cline and John-Ryan Griggs, the group emerged from Portland’s indie scene with a singular mission: to make Christmas music fun, flirty, and a little outrageous.
Their 2023 debut, Get Christmassy, showcased sparkling synths, glossy 80s-inspired production, and cheeky originals that quickly established the duo’s reputation for spirited live shows and playful, irreverent holiday cheer. That same year, they contributed a special track for A Touch Too Much’s “Xmas in July” event, raising over $3,000 for Portland’s DoveLewis, a 24-hour emergency animal hospital.
Their 2025 follow-up, Welcome to Christmas, takes the festive antics to cosmic levels. Pressed on dazzling Stardust Metallic Blend vinyl, the album features club-ready hits like “Santa’s In the Club,” the cheeky warning shot “Don’t F*ck With Christmas,” and the title track—a gleeful mission to abandon Earth and start a sparkling new colony on Planet Christmas. With shimmering production and audacious storytelling, the album expands the duo’s holiday universe while keeping their signature cheek and joy intact.
Through their music, Christmas Crackers aim to “make the Yuletide gay,” delivering seasonal anthems that are as nostalgic as they are playful and fresh.
