The holiday season is incomplete without the magical sounds of Christmas music filling the air. While vocal performances often take center stage, instrumental renditions of beloved carols and festive tunes can create an equally enchanting atmosphere. We’ve curated a list of 50 outstanding instrumental Christmas albums that span genres, eras, and musical styles. From classical orchestrations to modern interpretations, these albums showcase the true versatility of holiday music.
Our selection criteria include critical acclaim, commercial success, artistic innovation, and cultural impact. Whether you’re looking for background music for your holiday gathering or want to immerse yourself in the intricate arrangements of skilled musicians, this list has something for everyone. Let’s embark on a musical journey through some of the most captivating instrumental Christmas albums ever recorded.
- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – Vince Guaraldi Trio (1965) This jazz piano-driven album has become synonymous with the holiday season. Guaraldi’s playful yet poignant compositions perfectly capture the spirit of Charles Schulz’s beloved characters.
- “Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir” – Vienna Boys’ Choir (1990) A stunning collection of traditional carols performed by one of the world’s most renowned choirs, showcasing angelic voices in perfect harmony.
- “December” – George Winston (1982) Winston’s solo piano interpretations of holiday classics and winter-themed originals create a serene, contemplative atmosphere.
- “The Nutcracker Suite” – London Symphony Orchestra (1960) Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet suite, performed with grace and grandeur by one of the world’s finest orchestras.
- “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” – Mannheim Steamroller (1984) Chip Davis’s innovative blend of classical music and progressive rock breathed new life into traditional carols.
- “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra (1996) This rock opera approach to Christmas music features powerful orchestrations and electric guitar solos that reimagine holiday classics.
- “White Christmas” – The Boston Pops Orchestra (1992) John Williams conducts this elegant collection of holiday favorites, showcasing the full splendor of a world-class orchestra.
- “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” – The Canadian Brass (1981) This brass quintet brings warmth and cheer to traditional carols with their virtuosic performances and arrangements.
- “Christmas with Waldo de los Rios” – Waldo de los Rios (1973) The Argentine composer’s unique orchestral arrangements blend classical and pop elements for a fresh take on familiar tunes.
- “Christmas Portrait” – The Carpenters (1978) While not entirely instrumental, this album features lush orchestral interludes and instrumental tracks that complement Karen Carpenter’s vocals beautifully.
- “A Festival of Carols in Brass” – The Philadelphia Brass Ensemble (1967) This album showcases the majestic sound of brass instruments in classic carol arrangements.
- “Christmas with the Academy” – Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (1989) Sir Neville Marriner conducts this refined collection of baroque and classical Christmas music.
- “The Christmas Album” – The Hollyridge Strings (1965) This easy listening orchestra offers smooth, string-heavy renditions of popular holiday songs.
- “Christmas Interpretations” – Ottmar Liebert (1990) Liebert’s flamenco guitar stylings bring a unique, Mediterranean flavor to Christmas classics.
- “A Windham Hill Christmas” – Various Artists (1991) This compilation features new age and acoustic interpretations of holiday music from Windham Hill’s roster of talented artists.
- “Christmas Time with Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass” – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (1968) Alpert’s distinctive trumpet and the Tijuana Brass’s upbeat style bring a festive Latin flair to Christmas favorites.
- “Christmas with the Celts” – The Celts (2015) Traditional Celtic instruments like fiddles, flutes, and harps bring an Irish twist to holiday music.
- “A GRP Christmas Collection” – Various Artists (1988) This jazz fusion compilation features contemporary jazz artists putting their spin on Christmas classics.
- “Christmas Guitar” – John Fahey (1968) Fahey’s fingerstyle guitar work brings a folksy, introspective quality to traditional carols.
- “Christmas with the Chipmunks” – The Chipmunks (1962) While known for its vocals, this album includes charming instrumental versions of holiday favorites.
- “A Dave Brubeck Christmas” – Dave Brubeck (1996) The legendary jazz pianist offers solo piano renditions of carols, infused with his signature style.
- “Christmas with the Rat Pack” – Various Artists (2002) This compilation includes instrumental tracks that capture the swinging, big band sound of the Rat Pack era.
- “Acoustic Christmas” – Peter White (1997) Smooth jazz guitarist Peter White delivers mellow, guitar-driven interpretations of holiday classics.
- “The Magic of Christmas” – Nat King Cole (1960) While featuring Cole’s iconic vocals, this album also includes beautiful orchestral arrangements of Christmas standards.
- “Christmas with Boney M.” – Boney M. (1981) This disco group’s holiday album features instrumental tracks that blend disco rhythms with traditional melodies.
- “A Winter’s Solstice” – Various Artists (1985) This Windham Hill compilation showcases various artists performing winter and holiday-themed music in a contemplative new age style.
- “Christmas with the Trapp Family Singers” – The Trapp Family Singers (1955) The real-life inspiration for “The Sound of Music” performs traditional European carols with authentic folk instruments.
- “Christmas Carols” – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (1954) This timeless recording features the angelic voices of one of England’s most renowned choirs performing a cappella and with organ accompaniment.
- “The Bells of Dublin” – The Chieftains (1991) Ireland’s premier traditional music group brings Celtic flair to Christmas music, featuring both instrumental and vocal tracks.
- “Christmas Jazz” – Ramsey Lewis Trio (1961) Pianist Ramsey Lewis and his trio infuse holiday classics with cool jazz stylings.
- “Christmas with the Pops” – Boston Pops Orchestra (1988) John Williams conducts this collection of holiday favorites, showcasing the full power and beauty of a symphony orchestra.
- “Silent Night, Jazzy Night” – Beegie Adair (2008) Jazz pianist Beegie Adair offers elegant, swinging interpretations of Christmas standards.
- “Christmas with Mantovani” – Mantovani and His Orchestra (1958) Mantovani’s lush string arrangements bring a touch of romance to holiday classics.
- “A Very Special Christmas: Instrumental Collection” – Various Artists (1998) This compilation features instrumental versions of tracks from the popular “A Very Special Christmas” series, performed by various artists.
- “Christmas with the Robert Shaw Chorale” – Robert Shaw Chorale (1957) While primarily vocal, this album includes beautiful orchestral arrangements that stand on their own.
- “A Concord Jazz Christmas” – Various Artists (1987) This compilation showcases jazz interpretations of Christmas music from Concord Jazz’s roster of talented musicians.
- “Christmas with the Cambridge Singers” – The Cambridge Singers (1987) John Rutter conducts this collection of carols, featuring both a cappella and accompanied performances.
- “An American Christmas” – The Boston Camerata (1993) This album explores early American Christmas music, featuring period instruments and authentic performances.
- “A Christmas Celebration” – Liona Boyd (1981) Classical guitarist Liona Boyd offers elegant renditions of carols and holiday favorites.
- “Christmas with the Puppini Sisters” – The Puppini Sisters (2010) While known for their vocals, this album includes swinging instrumental tracks that capture the spirit of 1940s holiday music.
- “A Toolbox Christmas” – Woody Phillips (1991) This unique album features Christmas carols performed entirely on power tools and hardware store items.
- “Christmas with Weezer” – Weezer (2008) While primarily featuring vocals, this album includes instrumental versions of their Christmas covers, showcasing the band’s rock arrangements.
- “Noël: Christmas Eve Mass” – Richard Proulx & The Cathedral Singers (1994) This album captures the majesty of a Christmas Eve Mass, featuring both choral and instrumental sacred music.
- “A Motown Christmas” – Various Artists (1973) While primarily vocal, this compilation includes instrumental interludes and backing tracks that capture the iconic Motown sound.
- “Christmas with the Bang on a Can All-Stars” – Bang on a Can All-Stars (2001) This contemporary classical ensemble offers avant-garde interpretations of holiday music.
- “Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas” – Various Artists (1996) This compilation features Hawaiian slack key guitar renditions of Christmas classics, bringing island flair to holiday favorites.
- “Christmas with the Swingle Singers” – The Swingle Singers (1968) Known for their vocal jazz arrangements, this album includes instrumental tracks that showcase their innovative approach to classical and popular music.
- “The Jethro Tull Christmas Album” – Jethro Tull (2003) Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull blend rock, folk, and classical influences in this mostly instrumental holiday album.
- “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector” – Various Artists (1963) While famous for its vocal tracks, this album’s instrumental versions showcase Spector’s legendary “Wall of Sound” production technique.
- “Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” – Mormon Tabernacle Choir (1991) This album features the renowned choir accompanied by a full orchestra, offering both vocal and instrumental renditions of holiday classics.
From timeless classics to innovative reinterpretations, these 50 instrumental Christmas albums span decades and genres, offering something for every musical taste. Whether you prefer the grandeur of a full orchestra, the intimacy of a solo piano, or the energy of a rock ensemble, these albums provide the perfect soundtrack for your holiday season.
As you explore this diverse collection, you’ll discover new favorites and rediscover old classics, all presented through the universal language of instrumental music. Let these albums transport you to a winter wonderland of sound, enhancing your holiday experience and creating lasting memories. Happy listening, and may your holidays be filled with the joy of music!
Also See: The Top 20 Instrumental Christmas Albums of All Time
