Ding dong, ding dong, ding dang dong…
Christmas music fills the air with hope and happiness everywhere!
The time has come again to “flip the switch” on my nightly radio program, and turn it into your favorite Christmas channel! Sharing some of my most-requested, my personal favorites and some music as new as a babe in a manger!
This is a little a tradition I like to call my…
Christmas Music Musts!
Here’s my recommendations for 2026. Be sure to add these to your holiday playlist to make your holidays jolly, bright and a musical delight!
SIA: “Everyday is Christmas ~
Deluxe Edition”
Let’s start my list with 9-time Grammy-nominated pop legend, Sia’s “Everyday Is Christmas~Deluxe Edition.”
With over 1.5 billion total streams (and around 700,000 daily streams during the holidays), the beloved viral hit, “Snowman,” deserves to be on your playlist, as does everything from the all-original 20-track album.
When the first album was cut, it contained 10 total tracks, but then Sia added 3 more songs, bringing it up to 13… And last year she released the Deluxe Edition expanding the track list by adding more bonus tracks and remixes to bring it to a total of 20 incredible Christmas tunes!
Kick up your holiday playlist with “Santa’s Coming For Us,” “Candy Cane Lane,” “3 Minutes ‘Til New Years,” “Snowman”, (of course!) and every one of the 20 terrific twinkling tracks!
Don’t wait! Get the full album, “Everyday Is Christmas~Deluxe Edition”
Starbucks: “Holiday Blend 2026”
I’m going to let you in on a little secret of mine, I LOVE a dirty chai latte! Never more than during the holiday season when I’m rushing about shopping for holiday meals and gifts; Starbucks—and those two shots of espresso—become my lifeline.
This season they have another temptation I won’t resist; “Holiday Blend,” a new holiday album featuring Brandi Carlile, Magnus Ferrell, The Womack Sisters and more!
Building on their longstanding connection to music, discovery and the coffeehouse experience, the album brings together established and rising artists for new takes on holiday classics. With seven tracks in all, this is Starbucks first holiday album in a decade, featuring fresh interpretations of tracks spanning pop, soul, Americana and other genres.
Starbucks "Holiday Blend" album includes a $500,000 donation to World Central Kitchen to support humanitarian relief efforts around the world. Since its founding, World Central Kitchen has moved with the urgency of now to be first on the ground with a hot meal, served with dignity and hope. World Central Kitchen has been a non-profit partner of The Starbucks Foundation since 2019.
It’s always exciting when Starbucks announces their annual holiday menu and merch options, and this year even more so when “Holiday Blend” lands globally across digital streaming platforms and becomes part of the in-coffeehouse holiday soundtrack. You’ll like it a latte!
Listen to “Holiday Blend 2026” and drink in the magic.
Alanis Morissette:
”Good Weather for Immaculate Conception”
Fun news! Alanis Morissette is releasing her first-ever holiday album.
“Good Weather for Immaculate Conception” debuts on November 6!!!
It’s got 14 tracks in all, with classic holiday covers, past renditions, and some original songs. It’s lead single, "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," features Brandi Carlile with Steve Martin on banjo! How amazing is that?!
Other cool collabs are with Martin Short (“Merry Christmas”), Joy Oladokun (“Silent Night”), and Amythyst Klah (“Momma Mary”.)
You’ll sing along to classics, "Last Christmas", "O Holy Night", "River", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" as you set up your tree.
Then take a break to sip some cider while listening to the new original tracks, "Christmas on the Dance Floor" and "To An Empath at Christmas Time." falling in love with them, just like we love everything that comes from Alanis!
Get “Good Weather For Immaculate Conception” in time to deck the halls!
Train:“Christmas In Tahoe”
(10th Anniversary Edition)
If you don’t have “Christmas In Tahoe” in your Christmas music collection, you’ve been missing out!
But good news, last year multi-GRAMMY Award-winning, Train celebrated a decade of Christmas in Tahoe with a special 10th Anniversary Edition giving you an opportunity to pick up the smash-hit Christmas album that now includes three newly penned original songs: “Under the Christmas Moonlight,” “Rainy New York Christmas,” and “Let’s Stay in Tonight.” All sure to become some of your favorite holiday tunes,
When released in 2015, Christmas in Tahoe debuted on the Billboard 200 and spent five weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums Chart,with six tracks landing on Billboard’s US Adult Contemporary Chart.
“Shake Up Christmas” boasts over 300 million global streams and garners over 3.5 million radio impressions yearly. It gets me movin’ and shakin’ every time and it will do the same for you!
Grab your copy of “Christmas in Tahoe” (10th Anniversary Edition)
in limited edition Translucent Green Vinyl!
Jason Mraz: “Snow In San Diego”
Jason Mraz, two-time Grammy winner and Songwriters Hall of Fame Honoree, delights us this year with a new holiday single, “Snow In San Diego,” that’s fresh as a just-cut bough of holly.
His hit single, "I'm Yours," surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and was the most-streamed song by a solo artist in the 2000’s decade, and I’m thinking that he’s looking to top that with “Snow In San Diego.”
"Holiday music taught me how to play and write. It is truly festive and allows me to be both sentimental and silly. Listeners who know my humor and enjoy my lighthearted side will love this. And there’s more to come!"
Set within the historical and tropical scenery of his home, San Diego, he tell us “Snow in San Diego” promises to be an “I’ll love you forever” kind of song.
But that’s not all, he’s teasing us with the mention of a full album in the coming year that he says is intended to bring joy and familiarity, and holiday warmth with a wink. “I promise it’s heartfelt, and also a little ridiculous."
Add “Snow In San Diego” to your playlist!
Elton John: “Step Into Christmas”
Is it even Christmas if Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas” isn’t blasting through a speaker? I’ll volunteer a NO. It’s a must in my house when we’re putting up the tree, making the pies and wrapping the gifts; keeping our spirits and energy high.
This now perennial favorite peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart in the US when it was originally released in 1973 and since has become a true seasonal staple, spending 44 weeks (so far!) on the Billboard Holiday Airplay chart.
Written with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, “Step Into Christmas” truly captures the joy and spirit of the holiday season in Sir Elton’s unique and inimitable style.
Decades after its debut, this bona fide classic continues to find new fans and cement its status as a truly joyous and essential staple of the holidays.
Get yours here: “Step Into Christmas”
A couple of years ago, Elton John unveiled a new video that reimagined the making of the ‘73 promo. It’s gloriously kitsch and an hilariously chaotic, “must see.”
Olivia Rodrigo:
“take me home (4 christmas)”
Fun Fun Fun!!!
GRAMMY-Winner, multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo just announced her first ever holiday single “take me home (4 christmas)” !
The festive single arrives on the heels of her “expectations” remix ft. Chappell Roan, released in October that quickly became the highest peaking all-female collaboration on the Hot 100 this year,
“take me home (4 christmas)” is a fresh new original song set for release on November 5th with a music video dropping the same evening featuring Olivia, Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) and Ben Marshall (Saturday Night Live).
It’s going to be available in an exclusive 7-inch vinyl (available at target.com and in stores starting Friday, November 6th.) and cassette in time with the single’s release.
She’s currently on her sold-out, The Unraveled Tour, with over 1 million tickets sold globally, adding stops due to demand and breaking several venue records.
Olivia Rodrigo continues to make history, launching her inaugural women-led music festival, Daisy Chain Fields, this past summer. It raised $20 million for 10 non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.
This is a single that you’ll want to mingle and jingle with!
“take me home (4 christmas)”
Francesca Battistelli: “This Christmas”
Here’s one I recently ran across in my collection that you need to add to yours! “This Christmas” from Grammy-winning artist, Francesca Battistelli.
The 14-track collection contains a mix of originals and classics, and features a spine-tingling a cappella rendition of “Silent Night,” as well as the chart-topping single, “Messiah,” along with fun favorites like a remastered version of “Marshmallow World.”
I find “Behold Him,” especially beautiful, and a ballad for all those struggling.
The cover art, a textile piece of folk art itself .was hand-sewn and knitted by designer, Jessica Dance, and is almost reason enough to pick up the LP.
“I know that for many people, the Christmas season can be very difficult. My prayer is that these songs offer hope, glorify Jesus, bring joy (and maybe even some laughter!), and truly bless you, now and in the years to come.” ~ Franscesca Battistelli
You’ll want the full holiday album: “This Christmas”
for KING + COUNTRY:
”A Drummer Boy Christmas”
for KING + COUNTRY, known the world over for their grand re-envisioning of the classic, “Little Drummer Boy” drums in our holiday season with A Drummer Boy Christmas.
Last year, A Drummer Boy Christmas debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart in the US.
With 14 tracks in all, it has two original Christmas songs: "Heavenly Hosts" and "The Carol of Joseph (I Believe In You)"; as well as guest appearances from Needtobreathe on the track "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" while the song "Go Tell It On The Mountain" features guest vocals from Gabby Barrett.
“…Let us take you on a musical Christmas journey to celebrate the greatest story the world has ever known.”
The star of this show is the heart-stopping rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” done in the spectacularly unique style of for KING + COUNTRY.
Don’t let another Christmas pass by without “A Drummer Boy Christmas“ in your holiday music collection!
Pa rum pa pum pum!
Drum up some Christmas glory with “A Drummer Boy Christmas”
for KING + COUNTRY is on tour from November 19th - December 20th.
Get Tickets HERE.
And… Find Joel David Smallbone starring in the new movie,
DRUMMER BOY, in theaters November 6th.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra:
”The Ghosts of Christmas Eve”
I’m not sure who is the most delighted when I start playing TSO’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve album, me, my once-upon-a-time rocker husband, or my kids (after they get over the shock of it!)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the critically acclaimed, multi-platinum powerhouse progressive rock group, is well known for its annual "rock theater" tour that’s become a multi-generational tradition.
This year they’ll celebrate their landmark 30th anniversary with a major winter tour (96 shows in 56 cities!) TSO pairs its legendary experience, complete with over-the-top lasers, pyrotechnics, and special effects, with fan-friendly ticket pricing that welcomes generations of fans year after year; an annual must-attend for me and mine.
But when we can’t watch live, we listen to the 10-track album The Ghosts of Christmas Eve that brings it all back as if we were in front row seats.