Christmas Album Sales: A History of Billboard's Holiday Charts
For decades, the holiday season has been defined not just by traditions, but by the music that accompanies them. Tracking the commercial success of these seasonal records provides a fascinating glimpse into changing musical tastes. Since the mid-20th century, Billboard magazine has meticulously documented these trends through specialized sales charts.
The history of these charts is complex. In 1963, Billboard introduced a special weekly "Christmas Albums" chart that ran for three to four weeks each season. During this period, holiday titles were excluded from the standard Billboard 200 album sales charts. This specific format continued until 1973, after which the chart was discontinued from 1974 to 1982, and holiday titles were integrated back into the regular Billboard 200.
The "Christmas Albums" chart returned briefly from 1983 to 1985—during which time titles could appear on both the holiday and the Billboard 200 charts—before being discontinued again in 1986. It resumed in 1987 and was eventually renamed "Top Holiday Albums" in 2000, a title it still holds today. Over the years, the chart's size has fluctuated significantly, ranging from as few as 5 positions to as many as 117.
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Key Facts
- Bing Crosby dominated the 1940s with his album Merry Christmas.
- The "Christmas Albums" chart first appeared in 1963 and evolved into the "Top Holiday Albums" chart in 2000.
- Pentatonix achieved a three-year streak of best-selling holiday albums from 2014 to 2016.
- Chart capacity has varied from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 117 positions.
The Golden Era of Crooners and Chorales (1940s–1950s)
The early era of holiday music sales was defined by the singular dominance of Bing Crosby. From 1945 through 1950, Crosby's Merry Christmas remained the top-selling album every single year.
The 1950s saw a diversification of styles. While Crosby remained a force with the 1954 hit Selections from Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", other artists like Mario Lanza, Jo Stafford, and Lawrence Welk claimed the top spot. The late 50s also marked the arrival of rock and roll influence, with Elvis Presley's Elvis' Christmas Album topping the charts in 1957, followed by the popular sing-along records of Mitch Miller & the Gang.
Pop Evolution and the Rise of Variety (1960s–1970s)
The 1960s were characterized by the popularity of Andy Williams, who secured the top spot multiple times between 1963 and 1966. This decade also saw success for the Harry Simeone Chorale, Barbra Streisand, and Glen Campbell.
By the 1970s, the sound of Christmas shifted toward contemporary pop and family-oriented acts. The Jackson 5 and The Partridge Family became holiday staples, while the late 70s saw the emergence of the Salsoul Orchestra and the melodic harmonies of The Carpenters.
Contemporary Hits and Thematic Albums (1980s–1990s)
The 1980s introduced a mix of country and novelty sounds. Kenny Rogers was a dominant figure, topping the charts in 1981, 1983, and 1984 (the latter with Dolly Parton). This era also saw the rise of Mannheim Steamroller's instrumental approach and the boy-band appeal of New Kids on the Block.
In the 1990s, the market shifted toward adult contemporary and powerhouse vocalists. Kenny G became a recurring leader with Miracles: The Holiday Album and Faith: A Holiday Album, while Celine Dion and Harry Connick, Jr. also achieved top-selling status.
The Modern Era: 2000 to 2017
Entering the 21st century, the "Top Holiday Albums" chart saw a blend of classical crossover artists like Charlotte Church and Andrea Bocelli, and pop stars like Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban. The 2010s were marked by the rise of Michael Bublé and the a cappella phenomenon of Pentatonix, who dominated the mid-decade rankings.
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Summary of Best-Selling Holiday Albums by Decade
| Decade | Notable Top Artists | Defining Albums/Trends |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | Bing Crosby | Merry Christmas (Consistent #1) |
| 1950s | Elvis Presley, Mitch Miller | Rock and Roll and Sing-Alongs |
| 1960s | Andy Williams, Barbra Streisand | Traditional Pop and Crooners |
| 1970s | The Jackson 5, The Carpenters | Family Pop and Soul |
| 1980s | Kenny Rogers, Mannheim Steamroller | Country and Instrumental |
| 1990s | Kenny G, Celine Dion | Adult Contemporary |
| 2000s | Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli | Classical Crossover |
| 2010s | Pentatonix, Michael Bublé | A Cappella and Modern Pop |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Billboard start tracking Christmas album sales?
Billboard began publishing a special weekly "Christmas Albums" sales chart in 1963.
What was the best-selling Christmas album of the 1940s?
Bing Crosby's Merry Christmas was the best-selling album for every year from 1945 through 1949.
How has the name of the holiday chart changed over time?
The chart was originally called "Christmas Albums" starting in 1963 and was renamed to "Top Holiday Albums" in 2000.
Which artist dominated the holiday charts in the mid-2010s?
Pentatonix dominated the mid-2010s, holding the top spot from 2014 to 2016 with That's Christmas to Me and A Pentatonix Christmas.
Were holiday albums always separate from the Billboard 200?
No. Between 1974 and 1982, holiday titles were included in the regular Billboard 200. Additionally, from 1983 to 1985, they were eligible for both the weekly Billboard 200 and the specialized Christmas charts.