20 of the best Christmas albums of all time
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20 of the best Christmas albums of all time
Mariah Carey performs at the 81st Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
Perhaps more than any other holiday season, Christmas is full of nostalgia. As the years go on, whether anyone likes it or not, it can be nearly impossible to avoid memories of the seasons that have passed and Christmas traditions around the tree, whether spent with family or alone. As different as those holiday memories are for everyone, so, too, is the music often heard during this time, be it traditional Christmas carols or new tunes.
With the holiday season fast approaching, Stacker dug into articles and data from various leading music websites and curated a list of great Christmas albums across various genres and eras as of November 2023.
Of course, traditional Christmas music makes up the greatest Christmas albums. The tunes that generations have grown up with—from such recording artists as Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and Nat King Cole—have endured. More recent Christmas albums, such as Mariah Carey’s now-classic “Merry Christmas,” are legendary in their own right. This Christmas albums list spans various genres, from hip-hop to country. Nevertheless, each one helps listeners reflect on their memories of the holiday.
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‘Sings Christmas Songs’ by Charles Brown
Photo of Charles Brown in front of a microphone.
– Released: 1961
Charles Brown’s Christmas album features the highly popular and frequently covered “Please Come Home for Christmas,” which peaked at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1962 and was Brown’s only solo Billboard hit. Brown co-wrote the song with Gene Redd—though Brown later claimed he was the sole songwriter. Another holiday classic on this album is “Merry Christmas, Baby,” originally recorded in 1947 by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, of which Brown was a member.
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‘The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album’ by The Beach Boys
“The Beach Boys” pose for a portrait in circa 1964.
– Released: 1964
Consisting of classic holiday songs like “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” the Beach Boys’ seventh studio album was an instant success. Debuting at #6 on Billboard’s Christmas LP chart, the album featured not only classic Christmas songs but five original tracks as well. The album maintained its popularity in the following decades and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America almost two decades after its initial release.
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‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby
A scene from the film “White Christmas”.
– Released: 1945
For many, Bing Crosby’s elegant voice is instantly synonymous with Christmas. Though Crosby’s original album came out in 1945, subsequent reissues and expanded tracks from the ’40s and ’50s comprise a compilation released in 1986. Featuring songs like the acclaimed titular track and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” the album features Crosby at his best—crooning Christmas tunes that make the holiday feel all the cozier.
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‘Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas’ by Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald sings into a microphone.
– Released: 1960
Ella Fitzgerald’s first Christmas album put a jazzy spin on 12 classic holiday songs. The album, filled with secular tunes from “Jingle Bells” to “Frosty the Snowman,” allowed Fitzgerald to display her more spirited and fun side, with each track making the listener feel like the singer is swinging along with them.
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‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’ by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley performs on stage with his band.
– Released: 1957
Despite being his third studio album, the Elvis Presley collection of classic Christmas songs became some of his most famous and acclaimed. The album featured 12 songs and held the #1 spot on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart for four weeks. It has since gone diamond. Presley’s “Elvis’ Christmas Album” remains the top-selling Christmas album of all time.
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‘Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama’ by Jeremih and Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper performs at the 94th Annual National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
– Released: 2016
Self-released via SoundCloud on Dec. 22, 2016, this collaborative Christmas album was dedicated to Chicago, the hometown of both Jeremih and Chance the Rapper. The album has nine original tracks and features guest appearances from Noname and Hannibal Buress. The album was followed by a deluxe version, “Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama Re-Wrapped,” the following year.
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‘Christmas with Johnny Cash’ by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
– Released: 2003
Released the year he died, “Christmas with Johnny Cash” is an incredible compilation of the country star’s greatest Christmas songs. With 12 tunes, many previously released, the album showcases Cash at his best and most festive.
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‘A Very Kacey Christmas’ by Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves performs on stage during the CMA 2016 Country Christmas.
– Released: 2016
The first Christmas album by country singer Kacey Musgraves, this album is filled with nostalgic tunes, as well as four originals. She gives classic songs like “Let It Snow” a new country flair while showcasing her lyrical talent on new songs like “Christmas Makes Me Cry.”
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‘Once Upon a Christmas’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
– Released: 1984
Accompanied by a 1984 CBS television special, “Once Upon a Christmas” is Kenny Rogers’ second Christmas album and Dolly Parton’s first. The following year, it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album was certified double platinum by the RIAA in 1989, five years after its initial release.
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‘Don’t Waste Your Wishes’ by The Killers
Brandon Flowers of The Killers performs onstage during 2016 Governors Ball Music Festival.
– Released: 2016
Combining annual Christmas singles released by the band from 2006 to 2016, “Don’t Waste Your Wishes” was the Killers’ first—and only—Christmas album. Despite releasing exclusively on the iTunes store in 2016, debuting at #41 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart, the LP was added to Spotify in 2020.
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‘A Los Campesinos! Christmas’ by Los Campesinos!
Gareth Paisey of Los Campesinos! performs on stage during the Stag and Dagger music festival.
– Released: 2014
Released by indie Welsh band Los Campesinos!, this album contains five original songs and one cover. The tracks range from displaying a melancholy dream-pop sound to an indie-rock sound more fitting of the band’s other music.
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‘Merry Christmas’ by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey performs at the 81st Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
– Released: 1994
Though the attempts to trademark her self-proclaimed title of “Queen of Christmas” were unsuccessful, Mariah Carey’s first Christmas album consisted of timeless covers and original material. The best-known of which, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has charted every holiday season since its release. Notably, the song also peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019, 25 years after its original release.
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‘The Magic of Christmas’ by Nat King Cole
Nat “King” Cole records at Capitol Recording Studios.
– Released: 1960
Despite recording several holiday songs as singles earlier in his career, “The Magic of Christmas” remains Nat King Cole’s only Christmas album. It reached #1 on the Billboard Christmas Albums chart and stayed there for two weeks.
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‘A Very She & Him Christmas’ by She & Him
M. Ward and Zooey deschanel of She & Him perform at Stubb’s Ampitheatre.
– Released: 2011
She & Him, comprised of actor Zooey Deschanel and musician M. Ward, released their first Christmas album in 2011. It includes the songs “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Last Christmas,” “Little Saint Nick,” and others that everyone can enjoy. The album went #1 on Billboard’s US Folk Albums and US Independent Albums charts.
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‘Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’ by Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator performs onstage during Mala Luna Music Festival.
– Released: 2018
Accompanying the 2018 animated film “The Grinch,” the theme album “Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” is Tyler, the Creator’s first Christmas album. Consisting of original tracks from the rapper, the six-song EP is an innovative take on the Christmas album.
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‘Christmas on Death Row’ by Various Artists
Snoop Dogg performs during Lollapalooza at Shoreline Amphitheatre.
– Released: 1996
Featuring songs by popular artists from Death Row Records, the album includes both covers and original songs. “Christmas on Death Row” was the label’s first and only Christmas album and peaked at #30 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
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‘A Motown Christmas’ by Various Motown Artists
“Jackson 5” perform on a Bob Hope Special in September 1973.
– Released: 1973
This Christmas compilation features covers from popular Motown artists like the Jackson 5, the Supremes, the Temptations, and Stevie Wonder. Although the album was recycled into different packaging throughout the decades, it was finally reissued in 1992.
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‘The Ventures’ Christmas Album’ by The Ventures
“The Ventures” pose for a portrait in the late 1960’s.
– Released: 1965
The Ventures are an instrumental rock band and have released two Christmas albums. This offering includes covers of classic Christmas tracks and is an instrumental album, making it the perfect mood-setter during the holidays.
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‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ by Vince Guaraldi Trio
Jazz composer Vince Guaraldi plays piano in circa 1962.
– Released: 1965
Featuring covers of songs like “O Tannenbaum” and jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s own original work, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” remains one of the most beloved Christmas albums. The record charted on the Billboard Christmas Albums chart every holiday season from 1988 through 2003.
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‘Pretty Paper’ by Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson performing onstage at Chicagofest.
– Released: 1979
“Pretty Paper” was the first and most successful Christmas album country legend Willie Nelson recorded. Since it dropped in 1979, the album has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
