Special Report
50 Best (and Worst) Holiday Albums
Published:
Last Updated:
Hearing Christmas music everywhere you turn? That’s a sure sign the holiday season is upon us. The best holiday music can immediately put you in the Christmas spirit, evoking warm memories and good cheer. This timeless quality prevents even decades-old first-rate Christmas albums from becoming stale.
Christmas songs comprise a large share of the songs played throughout December on music streaming service Spotify in the United States, peaking at more than one in 10 songs played on Christmas Day. According to estimates from Spotify, there are more than 1.3 million Christmas songs.
24/7 Wall St. has reviewed a number of measures, including Billboard chart performance, album sales, and critical reception to identify the 50 best and the 50 worst holiday albums. The resulting collection of albums shows a great diversity of genres and artists, illustrating that the creation of holiday music can be approached in many ways.
Click here to see the full list of the best and worst holiday albums.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
The best holiday albums:
Source: Courtesy of A&M Records
50. “A Christmas to Remember” (1999)
> Artist: Amy Grant
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 23
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Reunion Records
49. “Christmas Offerings” (2006)
> Artist: Third Day
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 33
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Capitol Records
48. “Christmas with the Rat Pack” (2010)
> Artist: Sammy Davis, Jr. / Dean Martin / Frank Sinatra
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 101
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
Source: Courtesy of A&M Records
47. “An Old Fashioned Christmas” (1984)
> Artist: Carpenters
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 5
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Concord Music Group
46. “Raffi’s Christmas Album” (1983)
> Artist: Raffi
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 6
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of A&M Records
45. “Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas” (1993)
> Artist: Aaron Neville
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 28
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of American Gramaphone
44. “Christmas Celebration” (2004)
> Artist: Mannheim Steamroller
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 69
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Sony Legacy
43. “Now That’s What I Call Christmas!, Vol. 3” (2006)
> Artist: Various Artists
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 52
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
42. “Christmas Collection” (2005)
> Artist: Il Divo
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 84
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Motown
41. “Give Love at Christmas” (1980)
> Artist: The Temptations
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 37
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
40. “Merry Christmas” (1965)
> Artist: Andy Williams
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 1
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
39. “Christmas Memories” (2001)
> Artist: Barbra Streisand
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 25
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
38. “The Andy Williams Christmas Album” (1963)
> Artist: Andy Williams
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 2
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Capitol Records
37. “The Sinatra Christmas Album” (1987)
> Artist: Frank Sinatra
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 4
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of CBS Records / Sony Classical
36. “The Glorious Sound of Christmas” (1989)
> Artist: Eugene Ormandy
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 18
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Liberty Records
35. “Beyond the Season” (1992)
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 47
> Album Sales: 3 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Sony
34. “The Three Tenors Christmas” (2000)
> Artist: The Three Tenors
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 29
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Records
33. “Disney’s Christmas Collection” (1995)
> Artist: Disney
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 45
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
32. “Christmas Time with the Judds” (2003)
> Artist: The Judds
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 16
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Universal/Sony Music
31. “Now That’s What I Call Christmas!, Vol. 2: The Signature Collection” (2003)
> Artist: Various Artists
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 47
> Album Sales: 2 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Manhattan Records
30. “A Christmas Celebration” (2006)
> Artist: Celtic Woman
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 79
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment
29. “Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits: 1935-1954” (1989)
> Artist: Various Artists
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 5
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
28. “The Bells of Dublin” (1991)
> Artist: The Chieftains
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 6
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
27. “Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album” (1968)
> Artist: Tony Bennett
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 18
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises
26. “Christmas Portrait” (1978)
> Artist: Carpenters
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 142
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
25. “That’s Christmas to Me” (2014)
> Artist: Pentatonix
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 42
> Album Sales: 2 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
Source: Courtesy of American Gramaphone
24. “Christmas Live” (1997)
> Artist: Mannheim Steamroller
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 35
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
23. “Rocky Mountain Christmas” (1975)
> Artist: John Denver
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 23
> Album Sales: 2 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Myrrh Records
22. “A Christmas Album” (1983)
> Artist: Amy Grant
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 19
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Universal Music Group
21. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1995)
> Artist: Burl Ives
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 136
> Album Sales: 500,000
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
20. “Honky Tonk Christmas” (1993)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 81
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
19. “Christmas” (1985)
> Artist: Alabama
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 47
> Album Sales: 2 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Reunion Records
18. “Peace on Earth” (2008)
> Artist: Casting Crowns
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 90
> Album Sales: 1 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Lava Records
17. “The Lost Christmas Eve” (2004)
> Artist: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 129
> Album Sales: 2 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of A&M Records
16. “Home for Christmas” (1992)
> Artist: Amy Grant
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 53
> Album Sales: 3 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of American Gramaphone
15. “Christmas in the Aire” (1995)
> Artist: Mannheim Steamroller
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 65
> Album Sales: 4 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
14. “Merry Christmas” (1958)
> Artist: Johnny Mathis
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 30
> Album Sales: 5 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Dancing Cat Records
13. “December” (1982)
> Artist: George Winston
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 66
> Album Sales: 3 million
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
Source: Courtesy of A&M Records
12. “A Very Special Christmas” (1987)
> Artist: Various Artists
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 77
> Album Sales: 4 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
11. “A Christmas Album” (1967)
> Artist: Barbra Streisand
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 97
> Album Sales: 5 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
10. “Merry Christmas” (1994)
> Artist: Mariah Carey
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 193
> Album Sales: 5 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Geffen Records
9. “White Christmas” (1945)
> Artist: Bing Crosby
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 172
> Album Sales: 4 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Records
8. “These Are Special Times” (1998)
> Artist: Céline Dion
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 185
> Album Sales: 5 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Warner Music Group
7. “Noël” (2007)
> Artist: Josh Groban
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 127
> Album Sales: 6 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Universal Music Group
6. “Now That’s What I Call Christmas! [Universal]” (2001)
> Artist: Various Artists
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 78
> Album Sales: 6 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Lava Records
5. “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” (1996)
> Artist: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 183
> Album Sales: 3 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.0/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
4. “Miracles: The Holiday Album” (1994)
> Artist: Kenny G
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 103
> Album Sales: 8 million
> AllMusic ratings: 3.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Capitol Records
3. “The Christmas Song” (2003)
> Artist: Nat King Cole
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 139
> Album Sales: 6 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
2. “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957)
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 41
> Album Sales: 10 million
> AllMusic ratings: 4.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Fantasy Records
1. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
> Artist: Vince Guaraldi Trio / Vince Guaraldi
> Weeks on Billboard chart: 244
> Album Sales: 4 million
> AllMusic ratings: 5.0/5
The worst holiday albums:
Source: Courtesy of Performance Records
50. “Acapella Christmas”
> Artist: The Belmonts
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Records
49. “Christmas with The Brady Bunch”
> Artist: The Brady Bunch
> Year: 1970
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of EMI Distribution
48. “Hanna Barbera Christmas Sing-Along”
> Artist: Hanna-Barbera
> Year: 1991
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of United Artists Records
47. “Santa’s Boy”
> Artist: Del Reeves
> Year: 1966
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of EMI
46. “Do You Hear…Christmas With Heather, Cookie & Raylene Rankin”
> Artist: The Rankin Family
> Year: 1998
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Capitol Steps
45. “All I Want for Christmas Is a Tax Increase”
> Artist: Capitol Steps
> Year: 1993
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of MCA Records
44. “A Liberace Christmas”
> Artist: Liberace
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Vipers Nest Gold
43. “Digs Christmas”
> Artist: Harry “The Hipster” Gibson
> Year: 1974
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of eOne Music
42. “Pokemon: Christmas Bash”
> Artist: Pokemon
> Year: 2001
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Taang Records
41. “Lonely Christmas”
> Artist: Sloppy Seconds
> Year: 1992
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Cobra Entertainment LLC
40. “Christmas at Boots’ Place”
> Artist: Boots Randolph
> Year: 1992
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Karma
39. “Jingle Belles: Christmas With the Del Rubio Triplets”
> Artist: Del Rubio Triplets
> Year: 1991
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Critique Records
38. “Disco ’round the Christmas Tree”
> Artist: Claudja Barry
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of MCA Records
37. “Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year”
> Artist: The Mom and Dads
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Commodores Records And Entertainment
36. “Commodores Christmas”
> Artist: The Commodores
> Year: 1992
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Cherry Red Records
35. “Christmas Is Really Fantastic”
> Artist: Frank Sidebottom
> Year: 1984
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
34. “Redneck 12 Days of Christmas/Here’s Your Sign Christmas”
> Artist: Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy
> Year: 2003
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtsey of Priority Records
33. “Christmas with the California Raisins”
> Artist: The California Raisins
> Year: 1988
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment
32. “It’s a Spike Jones Christmas”
> Artist: Spike Jones
> Year: 1970
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Geffen
31. “Christmas All Over the World”
> Artist: New Edition
> Year: 1985
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Bmg Special Product
30. “Christmas with Freddie Jackson”
> Artist: Freddie Jackson
> Year: 1998
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Rarity Music
29. “It’s Christmas Everywhere”
> Artist: Paul Anka
> Year: 1960
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Spring Hill
28. “An Inconvenient Christmas”
> Artist: The Oak Ridge Boys
> Year: 2002
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Sony Classical
27. “Christmas Songs”
> Artist: Roger Whittaker
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of RCA Records
26. “Christmas with Ronnie Milsap”
> Artist: Ronnie Milsap
> Year: 1986
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Warner Music Latina
25. “Navidades”
> Artist: Luis Miguel
> Year: 2006
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Fuel
24. “The Archies Christmas Party”
> Artist: The Archies
> Year: 2008
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Capitol
23. “A Chipmunk Christmas”
> Artist: The Chipmunks
> Year: 1981
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Def Jam
22. “Ashanti’s Christmas”
> Artist: Ashanti
> Year: 2003
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
21. “It’s Christmas Time”
> Artist: Kathie Lee Gifford
> Year: 1993
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Jive Bunny
20. “Jive Bunny Christmas”
> Artist: Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers
> Year: 1997
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Cmo Productions
19. “Here Comes Frani Claus”
> Artist: Francine Reed
> Year: 2000
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Daywind Records
18. “A Greater Vision Christmas”
> Artist: Greater Vision
> Year: 1999
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Imports
17. “Merry Christmas Everybody”
> Artist: Stompin’ Tom Connors
> Year: 1970
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Nesak International
16. “Christmas with the Animals”
> Artist: Animal Kwackers
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of SSC Labels
15. “The Hammond Organ of Christmas”
> Artist: Rhoda Scott
> Year: 2003
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Light Records
14. “Christmas Like Never Before”
> Artist: Allen & Allen
> Year: 1995
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of The Special Music Company
13. “Take the Holiday Train”
> Artist: Mercer Ellington
> Year: 1992
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Surfdog Records
12. “Silent Nightclub”
> Artist: Richard Cheese
> Year: 2006
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Epic Records
11. “The Best Christmas of Them All”
> Artist: Shakin’ Stevens
> Year: 1990
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: themantovaniorchestra.com
10. “Best of the Season”
> Artist: Mantovani
> Year: 2003
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Delta
9. “A Christmas Concert”
> Artist: Glenn Miller
> Year: 1996
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Definitive Records
8. “Santa’s Helpers”
> Artist: Frankie Avalon
> Year: 2002
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Cowboy Tunes
7. “It’s Christmas Time Again”
> Artist: Davy Jones
> Year: 1997
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment
6. “Holiday Harmony”
> Artist: America
> Year: 2002
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of Goldenlane
5. “A Drifters Christmas”
> Artist: The Drifters
> Year: 1998
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
Source: Courtesy of RAS Records
4. “A Very, Very Yellow Christmas”
> Artist: Yellowman
> Year: 1998
> AllMusic rating: 1.5/5
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Courtesy of Laserlight
3. “A Crystal Christmas”
> Artist: Crystal Gayle
> Year: 1986
> AllMusic rating: 2.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Navarre Corporation
2. “Christmas with Willie Nelson”
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Year: 1994
> AllMusic rating: 1.0/5
Source: Courtesy of Koch Entertainment
1. “Hung for the Holidays”
> Artist: William Hung
> Year: 2004
> AllMusic rating: 1.0/5
Many of the highest ranked holiday albums were released decades ago. Christmas music is often nostalgic in tone, which may contribute to the popularity of some older holiday albums. Some 31 of the 50 best albums were released at least 20 years ago, and five of the top 15 were released prior to 1966. Meanwhile, 40 of the 50 worst ranked holiday albums were released after 1990.
At the end of every year, Billboard publishes a special weekly chart of the most popular holiday albums. Many of the best holiday albums, released decades ago, resurface every year. Albums such as Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas,” and Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” have made the Billboard Holiday albums charts nearly every year since their release, essentially cementing their position in the holiday music canon.
Many of the highest ranked holiday albums feature popular artists singing time-honored christmas classics. Traditional renditions of classical songs such as “Silent Night,” “The Christmas Song,” and “O Holy Night” appear on many of the most popular holiday albums, often in a style that preserves the songs’ original compositions.
Many of the least successful holiday albums, however, take unique approaches to classic Christmas songs that stray far from their original arrangements. Examples include Claudja Barry’s “Disco ‘Round the Christmas Tree,” which features songs like “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” set to a disco beat. Another example is Yellowman’s “A Very, Very Yellow Christmas,” which features reggae renditions of “12 Days of Christmas” and “Deck the Halls” as well as original holiday-themed tunes like “African Christmas” and “Santa Claus Never Comes to the Ghetto.”
To determine the best and worst holiday albums, 24/7 Wall St. developed an index based on Billboard chart performance, album sales, and critical reception. An inverted ranking of an album’s performance on the Billboard Holiday album charts — wherein a week at position No. 50 is worth one point, a week at position No. 49 two points, and so on, up to a week at position No. 1 worth 50 points — was included in the index and given full weight. An album’s total certified sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America and was given full weight. An album’s rating on music review website AllMusic was included in the index and given full weight. For the list of best holiday albums, albums with AllMusic ratings below 3.0/5 were not considered. For the list of worst holiday albums, artists who also had an album that ranked within the top 100 best albums based on our methodology were not considered. Additionally, only musical acts with Wikipedia pages were considered. Compilation albums, as well as works by cover bands, were not considered.
Albums included on this list were selected based exclusively on this methodology. This article includes affiliate links, and 24/7 Wall St. may get a share of the revenue from sales.
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
