It really is the most wonderful time of year — and these musicians are making it even better with the gift of music.
This holiday season brought a diverse set of new releases, from a collaboration between BTS’ V and the late Bing Crosby to Mason Ramsey — once known as the “Walmart yodeling kid” — dropping his first-ever holiday project, Merry Christmas Baby.
So whether you’re feeling festive or in need of a moody, new “Blue Christmas” rendition — this year’s releases have it all.
“I have been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember,” Jennifer Hudson wrote on Instagram of her first-ever holiday album The Gift of Love. “As a holiday fanatic, I could not be more excited to give you all this early Christmas gift.”
Here are all the 2024 holiday releases PEOPLE can’t get enough of.
BTS’ V and Bing Crosby
Perhaps the most surprising collaboration this year is BTS’ V teaming up with the legendary late Bing Crosby for a rendition of “White Christmas,” which dropped on Dec. 6.
“I’m so grateful to have had the chance to be featured in a song with my all time favorite jazz artist, Bing Crosby. I grew up listening to his song ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time’ countless times a day, and I feel incredibly fortunate and honored to have sung along on ‘White Christmas’ with the voice of someone I consider an idol,” V, 28, said in a press release.
“Being a huge fan of his, I sang with the utmost sincerity and admiration for him, and I hope many people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed singing it,” he added. “Lastly, I wish a lovely holiday season to everyone listening to the song.”
V also released an animated music video for the era-bridging collaboration, where Santa delivers gifts to a snowman, Christmas tree and ornaments. V’s dog, Yeontan, also makes a special appearance as Santa’s companion.
“As a family, we are thrilled to have V and Dad singing together on this ultimate Christmas song,” Mary Crosby, Bing’s daughter, said. “Their voices blend beautifully, capturing the holiday spirit in the best possible way.”
Listen to “White Christmas” here.
Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce
When a Canadian crooner and a country star come together, you get “Maybe This Christmas.”
After meeting on The Voice, Michael Bublé reached out to Carly Pearce for a stunning collaboration about experiencing loneliness around the holidays.
“This season is tough for a lot of people,” Bublé, 49, told PEOPLE. “There’s a lot of people that are struggling being alone, people that have lost people or people dealing with mental health.”
He continued, “So I wanted to write a song that would help them through. Something they could relate to that wasn’t just about jingle bells or presents. I wanted to bring people hope and love and I hope that’s what it does.”
After the song’s release on Nov. 18, the duo performed the track on the NBC singing competition show — and later at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, marking Bublé’s Opry debut.
Listen to “Maybe This Christmas” here.
Jennifer Hudson
For her first-ever holiday album, Jennifer Hudson chose to give her fans The Gift of Love.
The EGOT winner released the LP on Oct. 17 with holiday favorites and original songs like “Santa to Someone” and “Almost Christmas,” a collaboration with boyfriend Common. A month later, she released “Let There Be Joy,” an addition to the body of work and the official theme song for Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas.
“I have been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember. As a holiday fanatic, I could not be more excited to give you all this early Christmas gift,” Hudson, 43, wrote on Instagram after the release. “My love for this album runs deep. I am beyond grateful for all the amazing people that helped me bring it to life. It has truly been a labor of love!”
She added, “To my family, friends and fans… I hope this collection of songs will be a gift that keeps on giving year after year after year, and that it becomes part of your holiday tradition. My prayer for each of you is that you would find the love! Most of all, I want to thank God for giving us HIS Gift of Love on that holy night when Christ was born.”
Following the release of her holiday album, Hudson embarked on a five-date holiday tour, billed as The Gift of Love: An Intimate Live Experience. Her shows will wrap on Dec. 22 in Las Vegas.
Listen to The Gift of Love here.
Mason Ramsey
In need of some Elvis Presley-style holiday music? Mason Ramsey might be just the ticket.
On Nov. 15, the rising country star released his first-ever holiday EP titled Merry Christmas Baby.
The six-track EP includes an original track, “Waiting on You (For Christmas),” about longing for the one you love. It also includes five soulful renditions of holiday classics like “Silent Night” and “Blue Christmas.”
“I had a lot of fun making this project, I hope y’all are super excited to get to listen to it. Merry Christmas and happy holidays,” he said in an Instagram video announcing its arrival.
Ramsey, who recently wrapped his Falls into Place Tour, also released his debut album I’ll See You in My Dreams on Aug. 23.
Listen to Merry Christmas Baby here.
Coco Jones
Baby, it’s cold outside — and time to enjoy Coco by the Fireplace!
On Nov. 22, Coco Jones released her first-ever holiday EP with four festive songs: “Santa Is Me,” “Call on Christmas,” “My Presence Is a Present” and “String of Lights.”
“my Christmas project ‘Coco by the Fireplace’ is out now, I’m tryna bring yall all the emotions this holiday,” the Grammy winner, 26, wrote Nov. 22 on Instagram.
To continue the holiday festivities, Jones performed her recent single “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28. Then, she performed music from the EP on NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center on Dec. 4.
Up next, Jones is gearing up for the release of her debut full-length album in 2025.
Listen to Coco by the Fireplace here.
Little Big Town
After 25 years as a band, Little Big Town has leaned in to the holiday spirit.
On Oct. 4, the country music group released their-first ever holiday album The Christmas Record.
In addition to their interpretations of holiday classics like Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” and Amy Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas,” Little Big Town wrote an original song, “Glow,” with an accompany music video.
“We’ve been wanting to make a Christmas record for 25 years and it’s finally here on October 4th. We can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been working on for so long.” the band wrote Sept. 12 on Instagram.
In addition to the album, the quartet hosted their first-ever NBC special, Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry, on Dec. 16. The two-hour show was filled with performances by special guests like Josh Groban, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, Dan + Shay and more.
The band also recently wrapped their Take Me Home Tour on Dec. 13, following the release of their Greatest Hits album in August to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Listen to The Christmas Record here.
Ava Max
If your one wish this holiday season was a pop banger — Ava Max granted it.
The pop star released a festive single called “1 Wish” on Oct. 31. The track follows her recent singles “My Oh My” and “Spot a Fake.”
After its release, Max debuted “1 Wish” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a chic, all-black outfit surrounded by pine trees and snow.
“I got one wish / Every day could feel like Christmas / All that I need is sleigh bеlls, reindeer, and mistletoe,” she sings on the chorus. “Making angеls out in the snow / I got one wish.”
Listen to “1 Wish” here.
Megan Moroney
It’s emo cowgirl Christmas — Megan Moroney said so!
On Nov. 1, the “Am I Okay?” songstress released her first-ever holiday EP titled Blue Christmas …duh.
The project includes two original songs in Moroney’s signature style: “All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy,” a feel-good holiday honky-tonk, and a festive heartbreak song called “Christmas Morning.”
“sleigh i guess,” Moroney, 27, wrote on Instagram on Nov. 1 after the surprise drop.
Blue Christmas …duh follows the release of Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine), the deluxe edition of her sophomore album.
Stream Blue Christmas …duh here.
Elizabeth Chan
Elizabeth Chan is on a roll!
On Dec. 6, Chan released her 14th Christmas album, Shatterproof, which reflects her resilience during a difficult season.
When the full-time holiday performer was recording the album, her good friend Morgan Spurlock and her grandmother died. She also endured a spinal injury.
“Everyone experiences life in a way we all wish we didn’t. I lost my grandmother during Christmas last year and I got the news as I was doing a live interview. My heart was so broken,” she said in a press release.
Chan added, “As I was working on the new songs, I kept saying how I wished I were shatterproof like the ornaments on my tree. This became the concept and curation of the album and I poured myself into curating songs to pay tribute to this idea.”
Up next, Chan will be the subject of an upcoming feature film based on her life story and journey. The biopic is slated for 2025.
Listen to Shatterproof here.
Gabby Barrett
Gabby Barrett is spreading holiday joy.
Marking her first-ever holiday album, the country singer released Carols and Candlelight on Nov. 8.
The 11-song collection is made up of timeless Christmas carols, Advent hymns and beloved holiday songs like “Mary, Did You Know?,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and more.
“Ahhhhhhh I’m so excited that my first Christmas album is out NOW! Go grab your Christmas decorations and tree & listen to Carols and Candlelight with your loved ones 🤍🎄 I hope you love it!!!,” she wrote on Instagram on Nov. 8.
Following the release of the album, Barrett made her headlining debut in Nashville as she hosted her Giving for Good show at the CMA Theater inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 13. Proceeds from the show benefitted MURPHSLIFE.
Listen to Carols and Candlelight here.
Charlie Puth
Missing someone this holiday season? Charlie Puth has just the song for you.
The “Light Switch” singer released his latest holiday single, “December 25,” on Nov. 8. As it turns out, he wrote and recorded the song “completely on a whim” while working on his forthcoming album.
“And though it sounds absolutely nothing like anything on the album, I figured why not share it for the holidays. So here you go,” he said in a press release.
The holiday song follows his May single “Hero,” which he released following some encouragement from Taylor Swift on her recent song “The Tortured Poets Department.”
“I’m very excited to share my next album with you, especially this song because it’s a great representation of what’s to come. I’ve never put out a song like this before- it’s very different for me, but I want to thank @taylorswift for letting me know musically that I just couldn’t keep this on my hard drive any longer,” he wrote on Instagram announcing the song in May.
Listen to “December 25” here.
Jason Kelce
Have you ever experienced the holiday magic of Philly?
Well, if not, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata delivered their third and final holiday record, A Philly Special Christmas Party, on Nov. 22.
The album notably includes a duet by Jason and wife Kylie Kelce called “Little Loud Town” — as well as one by Jason and Stevie Nicks called “Maybe This Christmas,” previously teased on social media. The album also features a collab between Jason, his brother Travis Kelce and Boyz II Men called “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights).”
“I wrote ‘Loud Little Town’ initially for an old friend of mine around Christmas of 2023,” Brandon Beaver, who also worked on the album, said in a press release. “He and his wife were newly empty nesters as their children had both gone off to college. As a father myself, I could really connect with that bittersweet feeling of watching your children become more independent and how fleeting the time we have truly is.”
In conjunction with the release, the trio announced an initiative called Operation Snowball, which aims to give a gift to every single Philly public school student.
Meanwhile, all proceeds from the release on vinyl and CD will support the initiative, hoping to inspire everyone to get involved and snowball into a larger spirit of giving in the Philly area.
Listen to A Philly Christmas Party here.
Jessica Vosk
Jessica Vosk is sleighing this holiday season.
On Nov. 15, the Broadway star released Sleigh, a 13-track compilation of festive holiday music.
“HAPPY SLEIGH DAY!!!! This album is all heart, all grit, and every bit authentic. We’ve worked so hard on getting this here. I’m so grateful for my beautiful friends and collaborators who went on this ride with me,” she wrote on Instagram on Nov. 15.
“It’s taken almost this whole year, though it’s something I have wanted for so long,” Vosk, 41, added.
Following the release of her album, the Wicked star released a fun visualizer for “Santa Tell Me,” a cover of Ariana Grande’s festive hit.
Since the release of her holiday album, Vosk revealed she’s joining Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen as Jersey on Dec. 12 at the Shubert Theatre. The musical features music and lyrics by Alicia Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz.
Listen to Sleigh here.
Il Volo
This Italian trio put the spin on “Hallelujah” you’ve been waiting for.
On Nov. 29, Il Volo released their latest album Ad Astra. The 16-track album celebrates their 15 years making music — and they included a rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic just in time for the holidays.
“Over the years we’ve all evolved, bringing with us our own personalities and passions,” the trio said in a press release. “The result is Ad Astra, a project that showcases our different personal and vocal nuances, proving that diversity is the spark that ignites. We can’t wait to see our fans around the world again and finally sing our new unreleased tracks live!”
The album also includes 11 original songs by the musical group, which consists of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, as well as renditions of classics like “Amazing Grace.”
Up next, the trio — who released a holiday EP, 4 Xmas, in 2023 — will embark on a world tour Feb. 25 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Listen to Ad Astra and “Hallelujah” here.
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