Christmas music season has officially started. In the first week of November 2026, some of the biggest names in pop, country and rock released brand-new holiday songs and albums. From Olivia Rodrigo’s first-ever Christmas single to a reimagined Elton John classic, here are the best new Christmas songs 2026 has given us so far, plus the full albums worth adding to your holiday playlist.
1. Olivia Rodrigo – “take me home (4 christmas)”
The biggest Christmas release of the year so far. Olivia’s first holiday single is a jaunty pop-rock song about bringing a partner home for Christmas. The video stars Cynthia Nixon and SNL’s Ben Marshall. Read our full story on the Olivia Rodrigo Christmas song.
2. Elton John & CMAT – “Step Into Christmas”
Elton John’s 1973 classic gets a fresh coat of snow. This Amazon Music Original combines Elton’s original recording with brand-new strings and vocals from Irish star CMAT, one of the breakout artists of 2026. It is playful, warm and instantly familiar.
3. Sam Fender – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
The Newcastle singer recorded this Rolling Stones cover for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert in the UK. It features pupils from his old school and the Easington Colliery Band, which gives it a proper small-town Christmas feeling.
4. Brett Eldredge & Meghan Trainor – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
Brett Eldredge is country music’s unofficial Mr. Christmas, and Meghan Trainor has been making holiday music for years. Together they turn this standard into a big, brassy duet.
5. Jalen Ngonda – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
The soul singer covers Darlene Love’s 1963 classic for Amazon Music. If you like old-school Motown Christmas records, this one is for you.
6. Ashley Cooke – “Secret Santa”
The rising country star released “Secret Santa” alongside a whole holiday EP called wrapped. It is cute, flirty and made for Christmas parties.
7. Tegan and Sara – “I Love Christmas” / “A December To Remember”
The Canadian duo dropped two holiday songs at once. “I Love Christmas” is pure indie-pop joy, while “A December To Remember” is softer and more nostalgic.
8. Dasha – “Something To Believe In”
The “Austin” singer goes full holiday with a hopeful ballad that could easily end up in a Christmas movie.
9. The Band Perry – “A Very Band Perry Christmas”
The family trio returns with a festive single that leans into their harmony-heavy country-pop sound.
10. Hot Country Knights – “Mrs. Clause”
Dierks Bentley’s comedy side project delivers exactly what the title promises: a silly, mullet-wearing ’90s country Christmas song.
New Christmas Albums 2026
- Sufjan Stevens – Worst Christmas Ever!: The indie legend already has two beloved Christmas box sets. This new album follows the single “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” and mixes sadness and joy the way only Sufjan can.
- Alanis Morissette – Good Weather For Immaculate Conception: The first-ever holiday album from the Jagged Little Pill star.
- Ashley Cooke – wrapped (EP): A short country Christmas EP led by “Secret Santa.”
Which Song Will Be the Christmas Number One?
In the UK, the Christmas Number One is decided in the chart week of December 18 to 24, and the winner is announced on Christmas Day. Olivia Rodrigo is the early favourite among the new releases, but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas” return to the top of the charts every single year. As a result, a brand-new song needs a huge push to win.
In the United States, the Billboard Hot 100 also fills up with classics every December. Check our weekly Hot 100 recap to see when the Christmas songs start climbing.
Need Free Music for Your Holiday Videos?
If you are making Christmas reels, slideshows or family videos, remember that you cannot use these songs without permission. Instead, you can use our original free music for videos on MusiccStar, which is free to download and safe to use with a simple credit line.
FAQ
What new Christmas songs came out in 2026?
The biggest new releases include Olivia Rodrigo’s “take me home (4 christmas),” Elton John & CMAT’s “Step Into Christmas,” Sam Fender’s John Lewis cover and the Brett Eldredge & Meghan Trainor duet “Let It Snow!”
Did Olivia Rodrigo release a Christmas song?
Yes. “take me home (4 christmas)” was released on November 6, 2026, and it is her first holiday single.
Which artists released Christmas albums in 2026?
Sufjan Stevens (Worst Christmas Ever!) and Alanis Morissette (Good Weather For Immaculate Conception) both released full holiday albums in November 2026.
Photo: Christmas lights (Unsplash, CC0) by thr3 eyes thr3eyes via Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Cropped and text added by MusiccStar.