TOP 10: 2024 Christmas Albums
The 2024 holiday season is here, and our favorite music stars have sent us a multitude of gifts. Check out our list of 10 new holiday albums, ranging from country to pop to gospel, as well as a selection of notable reissues and anniversary releases.
Note that these are not ranked — they’re just listed in alphabetical order. We did listen to more 2024 holiday albums than these, but these were the best we found.
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Ben Folds, Sleigher
For all you Gen X-ers looking for something offbeat and jazzy, here’s Folds laying down a mix of upbeat and bummer (mostly) original songs about the holidays, set to a jangly piano line.
Brett Eldredge, Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)
The third Christmas album from this country singer features a great title track and a guest spot by Christmas Princess Kelly Clarkson. It’s an upbeat country- and jazz-tinged affair that should lift spirits.
CeCe Winans, Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album
A bombastic gospel album, with some jazz undertones. There’s not an ounce of subtlety to be found, but that’s fine; if you’re looking for something powerful and faith-forward, this is the holiday album for you.
Clay Aiken, Christmas Bells Are Ringing
American Idol vet Aiken has a classic voice well suited to holiday standards, and he serves up a bunch of them here, from Carpenters (“Merry Christmas, Darling”) to Andy Williams (“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”). If you’re looking for new versions of mid-century staples, here you go.
Dan + Shay, It’s Officially Christmas
This country music duo is really stuffing the stockings with a DOUBLE album featuring 21 songs, a mixture of covers and originals that will take you through Christmas and straight to New Year’s Day. Fun and appealing to just about every age. One of my favorites this year.
Jennifer Hudson, The Gift of Love
Another American Idol veteran (BTW Ruben Studdard also released a holiday EP this year), Hudson’s incredible voice is beautifully spotlighted on this album that features mostly covers, though they’re transformed with unexpected arrangements. Great holiday party music.
Jimmy Fallon, Holiday Seasoning
The Tonight Show host has been releasing holiday singles for years, but this is his first album. He’s brought in a slew of big musical guests, including the Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Justin Timberlake, and Weird Al. A fun party album for the younger crowd.
Lea Solanga, Sounding Joy
The Broadway diva releases her second holiday album after *checks notes* 24 years. This is a jazzy, loungey affair with a focus on covers. Great for an adult cocktail party.
Little Big Town, The Christmas Record
The country group’s first holiday album has a surprisingly high number of sad songs in its collection of primarily covers. It’s a fine album with some lovely harmonies and musicianship, but don’t expect anything new or particularly exciting.
Steve Perry, The Season 3
The former lead singer of Journey has one of the most incredible voices in pop-music history. This album is a mix of holiday songs and jazz and classical standards, some with surprising arrangements. A decidedly downtempo, reflective affair.
Notable 2024 Reissues/Extended Releases
NOTE: Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas: 30th Anniversary Edition will not release until mid-December. The irony of Mariah being late for Christmas music!
Amy Grant and Vince Gill, When I Think of Christmas
This collection features five Christmas songs apiece from husband and wife Amy Grant and Vince Gill, as well as one duet; nine of the songs have been previously released, two songs are new.
Bing Crosby, Ultimate Christmas (Deluxe Edition)
This collection features dozens of classic songs from the original King of Christmas music.
Boyz II Men, Christmas Interpretations Reissue
One of the definitive boy bands of 90s music re-releases its 1993 Christmas album.
Carpenters, Christmas Once More
A collection of 16 remastered tracks from the sibling duo whose unique sound scored holidays in the 60s and 70s.
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Ella & Louis Wish You a Swinging Holiday
Get your holiday party jumping with 26 festive tracks from two of the most iconic jazz artists of the 20th Century.
Kelly Clarkson, When Christmas Comes Around…Again
Clarkson re-releases her 2021 holiday album — her second, after the incredible Wrapped in Red — with a few additional tracks, including her own cover of "All I Want for Christmas is You." Mariah better watch out!
Meghan Trainor, A Very Trainor Christmas (Deluxe)
This reissue of Trainor's 2020 holiday album has more than 20 songs, a mix of covers and originals, and features guest spots by Earth, Wind & Fire and Seth Macfarlane.
Toby Keith, Christmas to Christmas
A posthumous rerelease for Keith, who died in February from stomach cancer; a rollicking country Christmas album heavy on originals.
Did we miss your favorite 2024 holiday album? Leave a comment below!
