The 27 best Christmas albums of all timefrom hidden gems to perennial classics

Barbra StreisandA Christmas Album (1967)

Barbra Streisandperhaps one of the most famous Jewish singers eversinging a number of Christmas songs may not seem like an obvious pairing on paperbut on the stereoit's a match made in heaven. Much like Streisand herselfA Christmas Album is the perfect combination of reverence and soul.

Who else but Barbara could offer such a moving performance of "Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Silent Night)" which is so beloved the world over? The album is a nearly flawless reminder that we are each allowed to celebrate whatever and however we please. —Stephanie Kaloi

Beach BoysA Beach Boys Christmas Album (1964)

In the mid-1960sthe Beach Boys were hardly known for their ability (or desire) to restrain themselvesand that is definitely apparent in their 1964 holiday offering. In addition to their signature layered vocal stylingsthe band worked with a 41-piece orchestra to put together a Christmas record that can only be described in terms as expansive as the sounds themselves: lushrichand abundant. The Beach Boys are always ideal during any bout of nostalgiaand there's no time better than the Christmas season to enjoy exactly that. —S.K.

Bing CrosbyMerry Christmas (1945)

There are plenty of people who only know Bing Crosby for his Christmas musicwhich is fair considering his Merry Christmas record has been mixed and remixed a number of times since it first dropped in 1945. The 1986 rerelease (then titled White Christmas)which came out nearly a decade after the singer's 1977 passingcontains perhaps the most comprehensive combination of Crosby's most loved Christmas songsincluding "White Christmas," "Silver Bells," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." If you need just one Christmas album to rule them allCrosby's Merry Christmas/White Christmas is a no-brainer. —S.K.

Bob DylanChristmas in the Heart (2009)

Bob Dylan might not be the first musician the holiday season brings to mindbut Christmas in the Heart still delivers the Christmas spirit with a side of surreality. The albumwhich was recorded to benefit the charity Feeding Americaincludes expected holiday classics like "O Come All Ye Faithful," as well as a few of Dylan's own arrangements. Listeners who are willing to suspend their disbelief and/or decades of Dylan snobbery might just find that the record offers plenty of magic for the holidays. —S.K.

The CarpentersChristmas Portrait (1978)

Karen and Richard Carpenter are at their seasonal best with this 1978 holiday album that has since gone platinumand with good reason. The pair offers something that manages to be both playful and introspective at the same timea delicate balance of two sensations so commonplace with Christmastime.

Unlike their earlier workRichard is the focus of this recordand in factthis is one of the last recordings that Karen made with her brother before her death in 1983. With that in mindlistening to Christmas Portrait is an exercise in loving one another and not taking the season or its meaning for granted. —S.K.

Ella FitzgeraldElla Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (1960)

Ella Fitzgerald's classic holiday album includes a number of high-energyspirited takes on the Christmas songs that most of us love and know wellincluding "Jingle Bells" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Fitzgerald's energy never abates throughout the entire recordmaking it ideal for friendly get-togethers or even family singalongs that all ages can enjoy.

Those not affiliated with the Christian side of Christmas might be especially fond of this recordas the great jazz legend steers clear of religious songs completely. —S.K.

Elvis PresleyElvis' Christmas Album (1957)

It's difficult to overstate just how groundbreaking Elvis Presley was in the 1950sespecially in the United Stateswhere this Christmas classic was considered so salacious at the time of its release that a number of peopleincluding Irving Berlinwho wrote "White Christmas," attempted to get it banned from radio play altogether.

These daysit's nearly impossible to go holiday shopping without Presley's singular voice belting out of a speaker somewhereand there's hardly a holiday enthusiast who can't sing along with the King's "Blue Christmas." If you need one album that's guaranteed to be a hit at a holiday partyit's this one. —S.K.

Frank SinatraA Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra (1957)

For a lot of peopleit's not Christmas until Ol' Blue Eyes is singingand that is certainly true when one considers the legacy of Frank Sinatra's first Christmas record. Released the same year as Elvis Presley's own wildly successful yuletide albumA Jolly Christmas was seen as the tamermore refined alternative to the King of Rock n' Roll and his swinging hips. Sinatra's take on "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is one of the most definitive versions of all timeand it's worth listening to the entire album just to experience it. —S.K.

James BrownJames Brown's Funky Christmas (1995)

Leave it to the Godfather of Soul to roll out a Christmas record as bold and energetic as this one. The record is actually a compilation of the best songs from James Brown's three previous holiday albums recorded between 1966 and 1970: James Brown Sings Christmas SongsA Soulful Christmasand Hey America.

The decision to cull Brown's most powerful holiday songs into one dynamite album was a wise one. Brown reliably delivers just as much rhythm and soul on his own holiday songs as on his most beloved evergreen hitsmaking James Brown's Funky Christmas a lively choice for any feel-good holiday get-togethereven your work party. —S.K.

John LegendA Very Legendary Christmas (2018)

It was only a matter of time until EGOT winner John Legend would bring his rich R&B roots to a holiday record. Since the release of A Very Legendary Christmas in 2018his splashy renditions of festive classics ("BabyIt's Cold Outside," "Silver Bells") paired with original tunes ("No Place Like Home") have become essential to the seasonfilling both living rooms and retail stores everywhere. With duets featuring Kelly ClarksonEsperanza Spaldingand Stevie Wonderthis album exudes that perfect cocktail-hour feelingas Legend's velvety croon sets the Christmas mood. —James Mercadante

Johnny CashChristmas With Johnny Cash (1972)

Johnny Cash's take on Christmas classics is exactly what fans of the late singer had come to expect by 1972: a little snarling and a little holyand reliably produced with the right degree of each. Cash's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" is particularly compellingas something in the growling nature of his voice offers a new spin on what is typically a soaring ballad or a quieter hymn. But with Cash on the vocalsthe song and the man singing are nearly penitent. —S.K.

Kacey MusgravesA Very Kacey Christmas (2016)

Kacey Musgraves' 12-track holiday album delicately blends the festive joy of the season with just the right touch of her signature melancholia. The Grammy-winning singer nails the perennial classics like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Let It Snow" with a country twang and plenty of slide guitarsbut it's her original tracks — such as "Christmas Makes Me Cry" — that showcase the cutting strength of her lyricism.

While star-studded collaborations with Willie Nelson and Leon Bridges add their sparkleit's Musgraves' smooth-as-honey vocals that envelop you like a weighted blanket to keep you warm throughout the holidays. And if you can't get enough of this recordher 2019 Christmas special on Amazon is the perfect encore. —J.M.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly PartonOnce Upon a Christmas (1984)

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Partonwho both have fans among huge swaths of the American publicwere destined to record a Christmas album at some point or another — and 1984 was the year. This recordwhich was Rogers' second take on Christmas tunes and Parton's very firstfollowed the release of the pair's holiday specialKenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember. —S.K.

Los LobosLlegó Navidad (2019)

Llegó Navidad might not feel like a traditional Christmas album to those who are used to the stylings of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatrabut the veteran Los Angeles rock band Los Lobos was intent on releasing something special when they recorded their 2019 Christmas recordproving there's plenty of room for new Christmas music in the world.

Los Lobos pored over 150 regional and seasonal hits before landing on the 11 they wanted to record and introduce to new listenersand within a few spinseach track became just as familiar as the holiday hits we've loved for years. —S.K.

Louis Armstrong & FriendsWhat a Wonderful Christmas (2011)

This album gathers recordings of Louis Armstrong with some of his most important friends and colleagues for a whopper of a compilation. Guests include Duke EllingtonLena Horneand Dinah Washingtonall singing alongside Armstrong while he jovially bellows out hit after hit.

If ever there was an ideal host for a star-studded holiday eveningit's Armstrongwho masterfully weaves his way through the classicsplus a few original tunes with his signature sound that are impossible not to enjoy. —S.K.

Mannheim SteamrollerMannheim Steamroller Christmas (1984)

Mannheim Steamroller has quite literally made Christmas its businesswith each holiday season invariably accompanied by its new-age synth sound. This wildly successful Christmas album is the brainchild of composer and producer Chip Daviswho curated its largely instrumental takes on Christmas classics after years of working on his own jazz-rock chops.

In the years that have followedthe group have released more than a dozen holiday-themed recordseach building on the success of the previous one. Butin the endthis first 1984 release stands above them allinviting listeners in again and again each year. —S.K.

Mariah CareyMerry Christmas (1994)

If there is one Christmas song we all know by heartit's Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You." When the track first graced the airwaves in 1994it was an immediate hitas was the album it's featured onMerry Christmas. Howeverneither achieved the seismic success we all associate with Carey and Christmas until 25 years later.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" began topping the charts each year beginning in 2019guaranteeing that Merry Christmas will live on in Christmas infamy — and it's not the only joyously feel-good song on the record. You can also enjoy "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," among others. —S.K.

Michael BubléChristmas (2011)

Fans of Michael Bublé were delighted when he released his first holiday album in 2011. The simply titled Christmas is Bublé at his best. His throwback croonings on classics such as "Silent Night" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" recall singers from another time while establishing him as one of the present pinnacles of the holiday.

Bublé also tries his hand at Mariah Carey's Christmas behemoth "All I Want for Christmas Is You," a bold attempt at taking an uplifting power ballad and turning it into something a little more broodyand we won't hold against him. —S.K.

Nat King ColeThe Magic of Christmas (1960)

There is a reason why this holiday album is beloved by so manyand that has everything to do with Nat King Cole's inimitable voice. Odds arethere's at least one song from The Magic of Christmas that you've loved and incorrectly identified as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or "Merry Christmas to You" for most of your life.

The song in question is "The Christmas Song," which Cole first recorded in 1946. It may not be the only Christmas classic that Cole took to the studiobut The Magic of Christmas is the only holiday album that he put together in his lifetimewhich makes it all the more special. —S.K.

Norah JonesI Dream of Christmas (2021)

While there's plenty of raucous music out there for rocking around the Christmas treesometimes it feels nice to curl up in a chair with a cozy blanket and a warm drink to listen to something a little more sensual. In 2021Norah Jones gifted us the perfect record to accompany introspective winter nights.

With her sweeping and gentle takes on Christmas classics as well as her own originalsJones combines the nostalgic sentiment expressed in much of her music with a certain holiday glow on a record to which you can kiss or cry. —S.K.

Phil SpectorA Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector (1963)

Phil Spector's 1963 holiday release has the honor of being both an excellent Christmas record and a guilty pleasure listen no matter the time of year. With this albumSpector managed to pull together powerhouse voices (Darlene Love is nearly unstoppable against the producer's legendary "wall of sound") and a holiday party sensibility. If there is one record that could be played at any Christmas party anywhere in the worldthe sheer scale of musicality in each song makes it this one. —S.K.

Ray CharlesThe Spirit of Christmas (1985)

Ray Charles might have opted to kick off his 1985 Christmas record with the downbeat "What Child Is This," but the album itself is a soaring and poignant offering from a man whoin his mid-50s at the timewas still very much enjoying the height of his grip on music and culture.

Charles takes listeners on a full emotional journey with The Spirit of Christmasdancing through his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" before settling into contemplation during the title track. The record might not be exactly perfectbut it's an excellent option for a cozy night indoors around a fire. —S.K.

She & HimA Very She & Him Christmas (2011)

When Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward combined forces to create She & Himindie-twee hearts around the world swooned. The release of their first Christmas album was met with a similar degree of excitementas the pair's smokey lounge vocal stylings are well-suited both for one another and for holiday classics.

Songs include "Silver Bells'' and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," as well as a flirtatiousfunand more modern version of "BabyIt's Cold Outside." In retrospectit should have been obvious that She & Him would inevitably take on Christmas music with such gustoand they prove exactly whysong after song. —S.K.

Sufjan StevensSongs for Christmas (2006)

When Sufjan Stevens embarks on a projecthe tends to think big…really big. Surehis commitment to writing an album for every state sputtered out after Michigan and Illinoisbut he brings that same ambitious energy to Songs for Christmasa mega-holiday record that's more than two hours long.

It's composed of five EPs Stevens made for loved ones through the yearsmany of whom helped complete the setgiving the Christmas album's aura an extra personable touch. And the whopping 42 tunes range from holiday classics to originalssuch as the ode to stressed-out parents"That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!" —S.K.

Tylerthe CreatorMusic Inspired by Illumination and Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)

It's not often that a Christmas album of this millennium brings something fresh to the holiday tablelet alone one written in tandem with an animated movie reboot. But Tylerthe Creator's hip-hop holiday offeringwhich debuted alongside 2018's The Grinchmanaged to charm and delight grown rap fans and children alike.

The record's production is arguably just as compelling as the rest of his celebrated discography and is somehow suitable for both a holiday house party and a child's birthday bash. It's a balancing act we didn't know we neededand it may just be the most unique entry on this list. —S.K.

Vince Guaraldi TrioA Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a holiday classic for more than half a centuryand audiences keep tuning in year after year to enjoy watching a pack of kids celebrate Christmas with nary an adult in sight. The heartwarming take on what the holiday season really means is pleasant for the entire family; meanwhilethe soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is just as much of a classic as the movie itself.

While both works are certainly about Christmasthe songs' lighthearted jazz has permeated pop culture to a point that nearly all of us can enjoy themregardless of faith or creed. —S.K.

Willie NelsonPretty Paper (1979)

Willie Nelson wrote the song "Pretty Paper" after witnessing a man with no legs in Fort WorthTex.who sold paper and pencils just to get by. The title track was recorded by Roy Orbison in 1963 and was eventually released on Nelson's first Christmas record more than a decade later.

Most of the album is made up of the standard Christmas hits listeners expectsuch as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Frosty the Snowman," while Nelson's own version of the title track remains socially aware all these decades later. —S.K.