Christmas music has already arrived. Over the past week, several new holiday albums have landed or been announced, and a few of them are wonderful picks for the whole family.
Here is a simple parents’ guide to what is new, when it comes out, and what to know before you press play in the car or the kitchen.
A quick note: music albums do not get movie-style age ratings. The closest thing is a “Parental Advisory” or “Explicit” label. Release dates below come from current reports and can change, so check your favorite music service.
1. A Clay Walker Family Christmas (Clay Walker)
Release date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Country star Clay Walker made this record with his whole family: his wife, Jessica, and their children Will, Mary-Elizabeth, Eli, Ezra and Christiaan. Wilson County Source reports it includes favorites like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” along with a lead single called “All Wrapped Up in You,” which is out now.
“What’s better than doing a Christmas record?” Walker said in a release. “Recording it with your family!” He added, “The memories we made creating this will last forever.”
Walker also launches his first A Clay Walker Family Christmas Tour on November 27 in Warren, Ohio, with his family onstage. Select stops will host toy drives for children in need, and the tour includes a Grand Ole Opry date on December 22.
For parents: A family-made album of classic carols is a natural fit for all ages.
2. His Name Shall Be (Charity Gayle)
Release date: Out now (released October 23, 2026)
If your family loves worship music, this one is for you. Worship leader Charity Gayle’s new 13-song Christmas album centers on the birth of Jesus, mixing original worship songs with fresh takes on classics. GodTube lists songs including “His Name Shall Be (Isaiah 9),” “Emmanuel,” “Jesus Is The Reason,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come All Ye Faithful (Hallelujah).”
“I believe worship music at Christmas is just as important as any other time of year,” Gayle said. She also called it “truly my favorite record I’ve ever made.”
For parents: This is Christ-centered music made for worship, a lovely soundtrack for family devotions or Advent evenings.
3. Holiday Things (Hilary Duff)
Release date: Out now (released October 23, 2026)
Hilary Duff, a familiar name to many parents, has a new five-song EP that runs about 14 minutes. Bustle reports it includes three original songs, “All You Want For Christmas Is Me,” “I Want (a few small things)” and “I Guess It’s Christmas,” plus a new version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and an updated take on “Last Christmas.”
For parents: We saw no “Explicit” label on the Apple Music listing. These are pop songs, mostly about holiday fun and romance, so you may want to give the originals a quick listen first if you have little ones.
4. Christmas in the City, Deluxe Edition (Pentatonix)
Release date: Out now (released October 30, 2026)
The a cappella group Pentatonix has expanded last year’s album. The original had 16 songs; the deluxe edition on Apple Music has 26, about an hour and 16 minutes of music, including new songs, covers and live recordings. Familiar titles include “Silver Bells” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
For parents: We saw no “Explicit” label on the listing.
5. Our Christmas (Il Volo)
Release date: Announced for November 6, 2026
For a classic, elegant sound, the Italian trio Il Volo recorded 12 songs with a full orchestra. The announced track list includes “Amazing Grace,” “O Holy Night,” “Adeste Fideles,” two versions of “Ave Maria,” and “White Christmas.”
For parents: These are traditional carols and hymns, many of them sacred, and a beautiful way to introduce children to classical singing.
Make Music Part of the Season
Christmas songs bring families together. Try this:
- Pick one “family carol” to learn by heart this year.
- Read the words of a classic carol together and talk about what they mean.
Charity Gayle’s title song is drawn from one of the most beloved Christmas prophecies in the Bible:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)
Through every storm, we rise together, and this season, we can sing together too.
What Christmas album is on repeat in your home, and which carol does your family love most? Tell us in the comments.
Sources: Wilson County Source, “Clay Walker to Release Family Christmas Album Nov. 6 and Play Grand Ole Opry” (Oct 24, 2026); GodTube, “Charity Gayle Releases New Worship Album ‘His Name Shall Be’” (Oct 23, 2026); Bustle, “Hilary Duff’s Holiday Album Is Part Of An Exciting Trend In Christmas Music” (Oct 23, 2026); Apple Music, “Holiday Things – EP” (Oct 23, 2026); Apple Music, “Christmas in the City (Deluxe)” (Oct 30, 2026); Wikipedia, “Christmas in the City (Pentatonix album)”; Forever Christmas Radio, “The Most Anticipated Christmas Albums of 2026” (updated Oct 24, 2026); Lifestyleblog.it, “Il Volo annuncia Our Christmas” (Sept 2026); Isaiah 9:6, KJV
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