Why Are So Many Artists Dropping Holiday Music?

08 Nov 2026, 15:00 · Rolling Stone

We get it, we’re only a week into November … but holiday season is just around the corner, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is quickly defrosting. This season, it feels like every artist is trying to throw their hat into the holiday music canon. From Olivia Rodrigo to Alanis Morissette and Thalia, there’s so many exciting holiday releases out or still on the horizon. We’ve compiled some of the best holiday music releases in this official guide, just in case you wanted a refresh from the classics, Carey, and Michael Bublé. Check it out below, and if it inspires you to take the Christmas tree out of storage, don’t blame us.

Hilary Duff, Holiday Things EP – Oct. 23

Hilary Duff kicked the holiday season off early this year, releasing her Holiday Things five-track EP just before Halloween. The project features everything from Duff’s hilarious new take on the classic “I Want (a few small things)” and some staring-out-the-window-at-the-snow, melancholic vibes with original song “I Guess It’s Christmas.” Holiday Things comes 24 years after the pop star’s first holiday album, Santa Claus Lane. “Today Santa Claus Lane turns 24, and it has me reminiscing on all the fun we’ve had around the holidays together over the years,” Duff wrote on Instagram. “Let’s do it again this year?” Amen.

Dustin Kensrue, That Spirit of Christmas – Oct. 23

Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue had the same early bird idea as Duff when he released his second holiday album That Spirit of Christmas a week before spooky season had even ended. But don’t expect a hardcore take on Christmas classics. Named after Ray Charles iconic track, the album finds Kensure channeling that same nostalgic holiday spirit across two originals, longtime faves, and a reimagined version of “This Good Night Is Still Everywhere” from his first Christmas album.

Thalia, Navidad Melancólica Deluxe – Nov. 3

If you wanna dance this holiday season, look no further than Thalía’s Latin pop holiday tracks “Regalo Perfecto” and her upbeat take on “El Burrito Sabanero,” both of which are featured on the expanded version of her 2024 holiday album Navidad Melancólica. “I’m excited to share this new edition, filled with even more love, with everyone who has made this album their own since its release,” Thalia said in a statement on Tuesday.

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Brandi Carlile, Magnus Ferrell, TRÍADA, The Womack Sisters, Leon Thomas, and JYT, Starbucks’ Holiday Blend – Nov. 4

This season, even large corporations are spearheading holiday music releases once more. Starbucks has released Holiday Blend, the ubiquitous coffee brand’s first global holiday album in over a decade, which features seven commissioned tracks from Brandi Carlile, Magnus Ferrell, TRÍADA, The Womack Sisters and JYT. What else can get you into the holiday spirit if not hearing Thomas’ groovy take on “Soulful Christmas” while sipping on a peppermint mocha?

Lizzie Klein*

Olivia Rodrigo “Take Me Home (4 Christmas)” – Nov. 5

Olivia Rodrigo unwrapped her first-ever holiday song this week. No surprise, it’s a New Wave-inspired delight. The pop star even recruited Sex and the City‘s Cynthia Nixon for a fun music video that fully channels the Christmas spirit. It seems Rodrigo may even have some more holiday cheer in store for us: the vinyl version of “Take Me Home (4 Christmas)” features the unreleased song “Miss This Christmas” on Side B.

Alanis Morissette, Good Weather for Immaculate Conception – Nov. 6

Tis the season for a rockin’ Christmas — and no, we’re not talking about “Jingle Bell Rock.” Alanis Morissette has released her first holiday album, Good Weather for Immaculate Conception. The project is a revved up collection of holiday standards and two great originals, “Christmas on the Dancefloor” and “To An Empath at Christmas Time.”
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Sufjan Stevens – Worst Christmas Ever! – Nov. 6

Got the holiday blues? May we suggest listening to Sufjan Steven’s first Christmas song in 15 years “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better).” The melancholic track is featured on Worst Christmas Ever!, a compilation album of the singer-songwriter’s holiday covers and original tracks from over the years like “Sister Winter” and “Put The Lights On The Tree.” “This song is a prayer—that we can all find a way to yield to the wisdom and understanding of forgiveness,” Stevens said about “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” in a statement. He added, “I believe the world will find its way.”

Tegan and Sara, “I Love Christmas” and “A December to Remember” – Nov. 6

This season, Tegan and Sara have channeled their Christmas fanaticism with two new acoustic holiday time gems, “I Love Christmas” and “A December to Remember.” The indie rockers wrote the former for all you Scrooges out there. “These songs are for people who love Christmas, but also for people who don’t,” Tegan said in a statement, adding, “As I sing in ‘I Love Christmas,’ even if you hate Christmas (these songs), I’m happy to love it for you.”

The Band Perry, A Very Band Perry Christmas – Nov. 6

For the country fans, The Band Perry has answered your call for twangy holiday music with their debut holiday EP A Very Band Perry Christmas. Over four tracks, the Tennesse group offers their own twinkling take on holiday staples like “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” But lead singer Kimberly Perry’s signature vocals really take “Blue Christmas” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” to the next level.

Laufey, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Nov. 13

It’s almost Christmastime and Laufey is getting in the spirit with her own version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The musician teased the release with an Instagram reel that included a snippet of the new version. “Rumors are true! I recorded a Christmas song for the new snoopy music video,” Laufey wrote. Catch the reimagined song in the Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy movie next Friday.