It's the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas music season! And yes, while we'll definitely have iconic Christmas favourites [1] like Mariah Carey [2]'s "All I Want For Christmas Is You," Ariana Grande [3]'s "Santa Tell Me," and George Michael's "Last Christmas" in heavy rotation, every year also brings new songs from some of our favourite artists that deserve spots of their own on your holiday playlists — and there have been quite a few new gems in 2022.
This year delivered The Backstreet Boys's very first Christmas album, featuring iconic covers and new songs alike. Alicia Keys [4] also released a new project, and Pentatonix recorded even more holiday jams. "Abbott Elementary" star Sheryl Lee Ralph is releasing a holiday album, "Sleigh," [5] this December, and Camila Cabello put one of her Christmas covers on streaming as well. Additionally, Phoebe Bridgers [6] dropped another Christmas single to raise money for charity, and the legendary band Stars released a Bandcamp-exclusive single called "Christmas Anyway." [7]
If you're looking for more holiday-themed projects, there's also the full soundtrack to Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell's "Spirited," [8] and "That Christmas Morning Feelin'" is perfect to blast while you decorate your home.
Read on for some of the best new Christmas songs and albums of 2022.
"Last Christmas" by Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys released their very first Christmas album, "A Very Backstreet Christmas," on Oct. 14. On Nov. 1, they released the music video for a single, a cover of George Michael's "Last Christmas." The album features two original songs — "Together" and "Happy Days" — plus covers of songs like "This Christmas," "White Christmas," and "Same Olde Lang Syne." The boy band will also have a Christmas special [9] on ABC this December.
"December Back 2 June" by Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys [10]'s "December Back 2 June" is the single off her new Christmas album, "Santa Baby," which is out now, though the full album is only available on Apple Music and physical CDs. The 10-song album features songs like "Happy Xmas" and "Christmastime Is Here," plus a few original tracks.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello released her own rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" on Nov. 4. She described it in an Instagram post [11] as a "mariachi cover."
"So Much Wine" by Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers [12] has made a habit of releasing sad Christmas covers every holiday season. This year, she released a cover of "So Much Wine" by The Handsome Family. Bridgers's boyfriend Paul Mescal [13] also joins her with vocals. All proceeds from the track benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Centre.
"Prayers For This World" by Pentatonix
Unsurprisingly, Pentatonix has released another Christmas album for 2022, "Holidays Around the World" — which includes collaborations with Meghan Trainor and Lea Salonga. The single from the album is the very emotional "Prayers For This World."
"Almost Too Early For Christmas" by Jimmy Fallon with Dolly Parton
If you're the type of person who puts on Christmas music on Nov. 1 (guilty), this is the song for you. Jimmy Fallon [14] and Dolly Parton teamed up for the comedic song "Almost Too Early For Christmas."
"Jingle Bell Rock" by Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan [15]'s Netflix movie "Falling For Christmas" [16] features the actor and singer on the soundtrack [17] and, of course, she sings her famous rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock" from "Mean Girls [18]."
"Snow in LA" by Noah Cyrus and PJ Harding
Noah Cyrus and PJ Harding teamed up for "Snow in LA," a gorgeous, yet sad Christmas duet about the effects of climate change.
"Have Yourself AaMerry Little Christmas" by Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett released a four-song holiday EP titled "Merry Christmas, Y'all" on Oct. 21. The country crooner covers "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Winter Wonderland," and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
"Cosy Christmas" by Molly Burch
Molly Burch, who released "The Molly Burch Christmas Album" in 2019, released two new Christmas songs this year. "Cosy Christmas" is a lovely pop song about the joys of Christmastime love and cuddling on the couch, while "December Baby" mixes unrequited love with all the sounds of the holidays. Add both to your playlist.
"That Christmas Morning Feelin'" From "Spirited"
The first song in AppleTV+'s movie musical "Spirited," "That Christmas Morning Feelin'," truly embodies everything that is fun and festive about Christmas Day.
"We Should Be Together" by Rosie Thomas feat. Sufjan Stevens
Rosie Thomas teamed up with notable Christmas-song lover Sufjan Stevens for this gorgeously sad track, "We Should Be Together."
"What Christmas Means to Me" by Joss Stone
British singer Joss Stone released her Christmas album, "Merry Christmas, Love," at the end of September. It's packed with classics like "What Christmas Means to Me," "Jingle Bells," and "Silent Night."
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Norah Jones
Singer Norah Jones released the deluxe version of her Christmas album, "I Dream of Christmas," on Oct. 21. The single for it is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
"Wonderful Christmastime" by the Estefan Family
Gloria Estefan and her family released "An Estefan Family Christmas" on Oct. 13. Gloria, of course, already has her own iconic Christmas album, 1993's "Christmas Through Your Eyes." But on the new album, she teams up with her 27-year-old daughter Emily and 10-year-old grandson Sasha, plus other members of the extended family. The album's songs include "Wonderful Christmastime," "My Favourite Things," and "Last Christmas," plus a handful of original tracks.
"Twinkle Twinkle" by Gabrielle Ruiz
"Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" star Gabrielle Ruiz released a new Christmas single titled "Twinkle Twinkle." The festive and cheery song is the perfect moodsetter for a fun night.
"Here It Is Christmastime" by Kevin Bacon and the Old 97s
Kevin Bacon [19] appears as himself in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," where he also lends his vocal talents [20]. He recorded "Here It Is Christmastime" with the song's band, the Old 97s. They also have a satirical Christmas song, "I Don't Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here)" at the beginning of the film.
