Discover 5 must-hear Christmas albums for 2024 that ease the transition from Halloween to holiday season. The moment Halloween decorations come down, I find myself in this weird liminal space where my Spotify playlist does not quite know what it wants to be. One day I am still humming Monster Mash, and the next I am scrolling through new Christmas releases wondering if it is too early to dive in. Spoiler alert: it is never too early, especially when the new holiday albums dropping this year are genuinely worth the listen.

I have always been that person who starts planning the Christmas season while still eating leftover Halloween candy. My friends think I am ridiculous, switching from spooky vibes to holly jolly overnight, but honestly? The transition feels natural to me. Once the jack-o-lanterns are composting in the backyard and the fake cobwebs are packed away, I am ready for jingle bells and warm nostalgia. This year, the musical landscape has delivered some stellar options that make that post-Halloween pivot even sweeter.

The first album on my rotation has been an unexpected delight. I picked it up on a whim after seeing it mentioned in some obscure music forum I probably should not admit to frequenting. The artist blends traditional carols with this indie folk sensibility that somehow manages to feel both reverent and fresh. You know those Christmas albums that sound like they were recorded in someone’s living room with good friends and better wine? This is one of those. The production quality is crisp enough to appreciate the instrumentation, but loose enough that you can hear the occasional chair creak or laugh between takes. It reminds me of those late October nights when you are winding down from Halloween parties and suddenly realize that cozy season is actually here.

Moving into something more upbeat, the second album I have been spinning comes from a pop artist who frankly surprised me. I was skeptical at first because celebrity Christmas albums can be hit or miss, leaning heavily toward miss if we are being honest. But this one actually gets it right. The arrangements are playful without being saccharine, and there is this underlying warmth that makes you want to bake cookies at midnight while wearing fuzzy socks. One track in particular has this brass section that makes me think of high school marching band performances on cold November evenings, right after we had packed away our Halloween parade uniforms and started prepping for holiday concerts.

The third entry might appeal to those of us who never fully let go of our Halloween aesthetic even when December rolls around. This artist has crafted something darker and more atmospheric than your typical yuletide fare. Think less Bing Crosby and more Tim Burton soundtrack. The holiday classics are there, but reimagined with minor keys and ethereal vocals that would not sound out of place in a gothic cathedral. I have been playing this one during evening walks when the sun sets absurdly early and the neighborhood still has a few stubborn Halloween decorations clinging to porches. The mood just works.

For those seeking something more traditional, the fourth album delivers exactly what you would expect from a classic Christmas record, but with exceptional execution. This is the kind of music your grandparents would approve of, featuring big orchestral arrangements and a vocalist with the kind of voice that makes you believe in the magic of the season. I put this on when I am wrapping presents and need something that will not distract me but will keep the festive energy flowing. It pairs well with hot chocolate and the lingering scent of cinnamon from whatever autumnal candle I have not yet replaced with something more seasonally appropriate.

The final album I want to mention takes a completely different approach by focusing on original compositions rather than reimagined standards. Writing new Christmas songs that do not sound forced or corny is incredibly difficult, which makes this collection particularly impressive. The songwriting here actually holds up outside of the holiday context, which is rare. These are songs about winter, family, memory, and yes, the holidays, but they feel universal rather than novelty. I found myself listening to this one on repeat during that weird week between Halloween and Thanksgiving when you are not quite sure what emotional space you are supposed to occupy.

What strikes me about all five of these albums is how they each handle the seasonal transition differently. Some embrace the full Christmas spirit immediately, while others linger in that darker, more introspective space that October leaves behind. The best part about discovering new holiday music is that it becomes part of your personal tradition. Years from now, I will probably hear one of these tracks and remember this specific November, the way the air smelled like dead leaves and possibility, and how I was still finding pieces of Halloween candy in my coat pockets while shopping for Christmas gifts.

So whether you are someone who switches modes the second November hits or you need a gentler transition from spooky season to snow season, these five albums offer something for everyone. The holidays are coming whether we are ready or not, and having a good soundtrack makes all the difference.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Reference

American Psychological Association. (2019). Music and mood: The psychology of seasonal listening. APA Publications.

Merchant, A., & Rose, G. (2013). Anticipatory nostalgia and seasonal consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 23(4), 475-485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2013.05.007

Seasonal music and environmental mood regulation studies. (2016). Journal of Environmental Psychology.