For Christian music fans, there is plenty to choose from if you’re looking for fresh new Christmas music this holiday season. Top CCM artists from For King & Country, Phil Wickham, Forrest Frank, We Are Messengers, Elevation Worship, Seth Schleuter, Tasha Layton, Hannah Kerr and Austin French along with Gospel Music artists CeCe Winans and Jonathan McReynolds to Southern Gospel artists The Martins, The Guardians, Gaither Vocal Band, and Lauren Talley have new releases out already. Here is a list of what to keep an eye out for to help you celebrate the season in music.
FOR KING & COUNTRY: “Drummer Boy Christmas Live”
for KING + COUNTRY’s new holiday album, “A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE),” will be released on November 22 via Curb | Word Entertainment. for KING + COUNTRY’s Joel and Luke Smallbone rings in the 2024 holiday season with a live collection of their beloved Christmas show delivered straight to fans. “A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE)” captures the joy, the wonder and the pageantry of their seasonal tour that has become an annual tradition for the duo capped by their signature rendition of “Little Drummer Boy.” The 15 tracks include “Joy To The World,” O Come, O Come Emmanuel, “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.”
CECE WINANS: “Joyful, Joyful; A Christmas Album”
As the holiday season approaches, CeCe Winans continues to share her musical gift with the world, embarking on a nearly sold-out Christmas tour beginning December 4th in Reading, PA. In tandem with the tour, Winans is releasing new Christmas music under the title “Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album,” a reimagined and expanded version of her previous holiday release, “Something’s Happening!” Known for her timeless voice and heartfelt performances, CeCe brings her signature warmth and soul to a collection of classic holiday favorites and original songs that are sure to become part of your holiday tradition. This special edition, produced by Winans’ talented son, Alvin Love III, offers a fresh take on familiar Christmas classics. Standout tracks like “Joy To The World” and “It’s Christmas” are symphonic masterpieces, while Love also contributed five original songs. The 10 track project includes “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day,” “Feliz Navidad/O Holy Night” and “Silent Night.”
PHIL WICKHAM: “Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!”
Phil Wickham’s 4th Christmas album, “Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!,” features songs perfect to lead in church on Sunday morning as well as songs ready to carol around town with friends & family. One of the top Worship leaders in the world today, Wickham has written nearly a dozen songs residing in CCLI’s top 100. Both his Christmas & Easter themed worship music consistently sits at the top of the charts during the seasons. “On my new album ‘Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!’ I’m releasing a Christmasy version of ‘Holy Forever’. It’s super cozy and I love it so much!,” said Phil. The 15 tracks include “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Silent Night, Holy Night,” “Behold” (feat. Anne Wilson), “Deck The Halls” (feat CHPTRS), and “Winter Wonderland” (feat The Wickham Sisters).
JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS: “Red & Green”
Grammy-winning gospel singer-songwriter Jonathan McReynolds is set to bring a new sound to the holiday season with the release of his first-ever Christmas (EP), “Red & Green.” Featuring an eclectic blend of original songs, Red & Green is the perfect soundtrack for any festive celebration or a cozy night at home by the fire. Known for his signature voice and heartfelt lyrics, McReynolds brings his take to Christmas music with a body of work that is entirely his own—no holiday covers, just fresh, uplifting tracks that capture the spirit of the season.
ELEVATION WORSHIP: “Echo The Angels”
GRAMMY Award®-winning praise band Elevation Worship (who gave us the songs “Trust in God” and “Graves into Gardens”) celebrates this holiday season with the release of their first-ever full-length Christmas album, “Echo The Angels.” The ten-track album features reimagined classics such as “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” “O Little Town Of Bethlehem,” “Welcome To Our World,” and “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.” The special project also includes a remixed track, “Joy!,” with Elevation Rhythm building off the standard, “Joy To The World.”
LAUREN TALLEY: “A Lauren Talley Christmas”
“I’m as proud of this record as any I’ve ever done,” enthuses Lauren Talley about “A Lauren Talley Christmas.” With the help of acclaimed producer (and father) Roger Talley, Lauren’s collection balances the familiar and the fresh in material — the latter includes the new “Love Reaches Round the World,” as well as Carrie Underwood’s“Stretchy Pants” and “Who Would Imagine a King,” first recorded by Whitney Houston — with an equally tasteful variety of arrangements. “I’m especially excited to have The Inspirations lend their powerhouse vocals to ‘The Son Came Down,’ a song I’ve loved since they recorded it 15 years ago,” Talley shares. “I’ve also recreated the old Talleys arrangement of ‘Sleigh Ride’ from 1988,” she continues. The 7 Tracks include “Rejoice! Medley (O Come O Come Emmanual/Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/How Great Our Joy/Joy To The World,” and “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”
TASHA LAYTON: “Wake Up It’s Christmas”
Along with the title track “Wake Up Its Christmas,” the EP also features four additional songs including her song “Diddly Squat” which has made its way onto thousands of playlists. Layton’s holiday catalog is a classic big-band, jazz, and pop collection that comes back year after year. Her holiday music has more than 15 million holiday streams and is featured on Spotify’s playlists such as Christmas Jazz, Women of Christmas, Merry & Bright, Feel Good Christmas, and Christmas Spirit..
Other Contemporary Christian, Gospel Music and Southern Gospel Music Christmas Releases
Forrest Frank – “The Present” (Single)
We Are Messengers – “Rejoice! A Celtic Christmas”
We The Messengers feat. Keith & Kristyn Getty – “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (Single)
110 Smith Street,
LaGrange, GA 30240, During our winter season, Sweetland Amphitheatre hosts a covered 5,500 square foot open-air ice-skating rink. Bring your family & friends to enjoy the festive atmosphere, skating for all ages, a spectator section with heaters to enjoy the ice-skating action, and affordable concessions.(706) 883-2058
November 28 - December 7 Mountain Country Christmas In Lights
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds 311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546, Transforms into a spectacular, magical holiday light show immersed in Christmas music, arts and crafts, food, fun, entertainment, photo opportunities, and a visit with Santa Claus! (706) 896-4191
November 29 - December 15 'Twas The Night Before Christmas By Cirque Du Soleil
Presented by Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta This joyful show about the virtues of generosity and friendship promises to leave a lasting impression on families this holiday season. At The Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE /
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Box Office: 855-285-8499
November 9 - January 5 Stone Mountain Park Christmas
At Stone Mountain Park Each day during Stone Mountain Christmas, you can enjoy park attractions and then as the sun sets, become immersed in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters! (800) 401-2407