The best festive albums not to miss this Christmas

This Christmas will certainly be like no other, with many of us unable to visit family, attend festive work parties or take photos of the school nativity. But in an effort to maintain seasonal spirits after such a hard year, there has been an outpouring of holiday releases. From the cheery, crowd-pleasing A Holly Dolly Christmas to the more pensive Christmas, Hopefully, there really is something for everyone. Here’s our round-up of the best yuletide albums so far this December. 

A Holly Dolly Christmas by Dolly Parton

A 12-track record from Dolly Parton is the gift we didn’t realise we needed this season. Featuring a mix of new songs and old Christmas classics as well as collaborations with Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and Willie Nelson, it’s a perfectly uplifting listen for the whole family. 

A Holly Dolly Christmas is out now. For further information visit the website here. 

Christmastide by Tori Amos 

Tori Amos brings us four original yuletide tunes created with her long-time collaborators drummer Matt Chamberlain and bassist Jon Evans. The EP’s packaging is a treat and the playlist is wonderful to enjoy next to the fire; an ideal grown-up holiday album and a wonderful gift. 

Christmastide is out now. For further information visit the website here.

Christmas, Hopefully by Bear’s Den 

In contrast to a Dolly Parton-infused Christmas selection, Bear’s Den’s three-track record is a reflection on this unprecedented year. The songs are rooted in the band’s experience of the pandemic, with Favourite Patient inspired by Andrew Davie’s fiancé, a front-line doctor, and the title tune about the difficulty of not seeing family this festive season. Overall, it is a beautiful and emotive listen which offers some hope for things to come and time to reflect on a collectively distressing nine months. 

Christmas, Hopefully is out now. For further information visit the website here.

A Very Trainor Christmas by Meghan Trainor

Another feel-good release for the season featuring new melodies and covers of original classics is A Very Trainor Christmas. Meghan Trainor has shown her clear credentials for the title of Christmas diva with songs such as My Kind Of Present. The catchy rhythms are likely going to find themselves in several future festive films. 

A Very Trainor Christmas is out now. For further information visit the website here.

A Tori Kelly Christmas by Tori Kelly

A soulful album certain to warm you this season is A Tori Kelly Christmas. Joined by the 11-time Grammy winner Babyface – the composition’s executive producer – Kelly delivers an original and stylish duet of Let it Snow. The compilation contains two original tracks as well as a variety of classics. 

A Tori Kelly Christmas is out now. For further information visit the website here. 

It’s Christmas All Over by the Goo Goo Dolls 

A holiday release is an unlikely choice for a band whose roots began in punk rock – but fans of all genres need some festive cheer this winter. The collection includes several new tunes as well as familiar feel-good Christmas melodies:  perfect to dance to after one too many glasses of wine. 

It’s Christmas All Over is out now. For further information visit the website here.

My Gift by Carrie Underwood 

Intending to create “hope in a dark year” Carrie Underwood’s My Gift really is a present this December. The compilation is composed of a selection of traditional annual singalongs,  including a version of Little Drummer Boy featuring the musician’s son and a duet with John Legend, accompanied by original songs. 

My Gift is out now. For further information visit the website here.  

Georgie Cowan-Turner