Top Christmas Albums of 2025

2 MORE SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Discover my top 10 albums of 2024 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2023 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2022 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2021 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2020 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2019 here

Discover my top 10 albums of 2018 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2017 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2016 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2015 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2014 here
Discover my top 10 albums of 2013 here

13 years of counting down the 60 days until Christmas by reviewing as many new Christmas singles, EPs and albums as I can manage - and despite each year wondering if there will be enough for one every day, I'm always delighted that I not only fill every day but often have multiple entries (particularly when I revisit artists I've written about before to see what their latest contribution is). Each album I've reviewed this year is one that has delighted me - new takes on old favourites, new songs that will become old favourites in years to come, and enough magic and sparkle to power Santa's sleigh. Here are just ten that really stood out to me...

10. Straight No Chaser ~ Holiday Road: Set your GPS as there is only one festive destination you want to get to this year. The lads of SNC always approach this time of a year with a little wit, a lot of heart, some vocal ingenuity and harmonies that blend like honey into hot cocoa. It is wonderfully convivial affair - a gather-round-the-fire sing-along with enough moments of reflection to create a little soothing solace for whenever you need it.

Best original song? Christmas is Different (featuring Hunter Hayes)

Best cover version? Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

09. George Perris ~ Christmas in Athens: Once you've visited Holiday Road, why not take a trip to the beautiful historic Athens where suave crooner George Perris will be dazzling you with his radiant arrangements of some of your Yuletide favourites. It is the perfect soundtrack, fuelled by George's emotive voice and clear love of the season, to decorate your tree to, wrap your gifts and pretend George is singing to you directly in your very own living room.

Best cover version? It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Best cover version 2? Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

08. Brad Paisley ~ Snow Globe Town: How fabulous that nearly 20 years after his inaugural Christmas album, Brad Paisley has returned to the most wonderful time of the year by inviting us all to Snow Globe Town. Inspired by his upcoming/just aired (depending on when you read this) Hallmark holiday movie, Grand Ole Opry Christmas, this is a blend of dashing new songs and dazzling standards that will make you feel merry and bright all season long.

Best original song? Leave The Christmas Lights On

Best cover version? Jingle Bell Rock

07. Bryan Adams & Friends ~ A Great Bg Holiday Jam: Jam Bryan does because he's feeling all sorts of convivial this year, bringing a calvacade of stars along to help him unwrap holiday classics old and new. Helping him out are the likes of Barenaked Ladies, Alessia Cara, Lights, The Sheepdogs and Alan Doyle whose musical talents are weaved into the magic of every song. It's like one huge party that everyone's invited too - making you feel merry and bright from start to finish.

Best original song? California Christmas

Best cover version? Little Saint Nick

06. Anthony Nunziata ~ Christmas & You: Some of my favourite new festive albums of this decade have featured new compositions for The Great Yuletide Songbook (Sarah Connor, Bjorn Skifs, Dennis Van Aarssen); Anthony seems destined to be in that future favourite Christmas oldies pile that you bring out each year to immerse yourself in nostalgia. Something for everyone on this gem of an album - powered by Anthony's beautifully expressive vocals.

Best original song? My Every Wish

Best original song 2? What Is It About Christmas?

05. Pentatonix ~ Christmas In The City: As predicted by the vocal harmony/singing acrobat group Pentatonix last year, we do indeed get to meet them this Christmas. And what an annual treat this is - yes, I know we all wait for Mariah to defrost, but I'm just as eager for Pentatonix to unwrap a now annual gift for us. This year's LP is a collection of original and classic tunes, all performed with that PTX flair I've come to know and love. 

Best original song? Humbug

Best cover version? Moody Rudy

04. Mickey Guyton ~ Feels Lke Christmas: I love an audacious bow on an album cover - just like Kylie Minogue on Kylie Christmas, Mickey Guyton is all wrapped up for the holiday season and ready to ensure she is responsible for the sensation that it feels like Christmas. Her 8-track festive opus of the same name is joyful and triumphant from start to finish, a glorious melange of new Christmas music with some festive favourites thrown in for good measure. 

Best original song? Save A Little Christmas For Me

Best cover version? Do You Want To Build A Snowman

03. Kristian Noel Pedersen ~ Bullshit & Gift Wrapping: Kristian's 17th (!!) Yuletide project and it maybe his most insightful yet! Bullshit & Gift Wrapping (I find they always go together in the tantrum causing paper cut season in the days before Santa arrives) features a stockingful of his bestest pals contributing to the merriment across six exceptional new songs (and a few personal voicemail messages). Buckle up for a sleigh ride of an experience and then go social media everyone you've ever met about it!

Best original song? Christmas On Your Own

Best original song 2? Christmas All Over Again

02. Judy Whitmore ~ Christmas: Simply called Christmas, there's no need for whistles and bows with the title because the opulent arrangements and expressive vocals add all the lavish flourish that this 12 song set needs. These are gorgeous new versions of songs you know and love - with a few surprises thrown in; not just in how these songs are constructed with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Walden, but aso in how Judy approaches the songs. It feels like her gift to the listener, her love of the season emanating from each tune you hear. 

Best original song? The Ghosts of Christmas Past

Best coverversion? No Place Like Home (For The Holidays)

Ina Wroldsen - The Business of Christmas: The shining star of this year is the dazzling Christmas album from Ina Wroldsen (who co-wrote Padam Padam for Kylie, among many other pop gems in your collection). The Business of Christmas is delivered straight from her heart and soul to your ears, an experience that is heartbreaking, hopeful and full of emotion. Across thirteen tracks, Ina takes you on a journey that will tap into your own memories and experiences, making this something for your ghosts of Christmas past but a collection of songs you will want to revisit in every Christmas future...

Best original song? The Working Force

Best original song 2? Good Year

Bonus points: for introducing me to Vetle Røsten on the title track & Jamaica