Christmas music
18 weird and wonderful Christmas album covers: our pick of the best
Christmas over the years has inspired a glorious array of quirky covers from record company designers. We present our favourites…
Oldest Christmas carol: a guide to the dawn of a much-loved tradition
The first - and oldest - Christmas carol was written in the fourth century, says Jeremy Pound
Santa or Scrooge: how did the great composers spend Christmas?
What did the great composers get up to at Christmas? We pore over their intimate letters to find the answers
Best Christmas adverts: 11 unforgettable festive ads with the best music
Our guide to the best Christmas adverts from the last few decades
Christmas choral music: 11 transcendentally beautiful works for the festive season
What are the greatest songs and choral works written for the festive period?
Children's Christmas songs: 11 classic festive singalongs for all ages
Are these the best Christmas songs for kids? Or did we miss your favourite?
Handel's Messiah: the best recordings of this festive choral masterpiece
We name the best recordings of of Handel’s Messiah, a choral masterpiece that should have everyone shouting Hallelujah!
Christmas musicals: 11 of the best festive singalongs
As if Christmas wasn’t bright and cheery enough without having a song and dance about it as well… Here's our rundown of the very best Christmas musicals on stage and screen.
History of carol singing: when did the much-loved Christmas tradition begin?
The history of carol singing may go back as far as the medieval era, and has appeared in literature for many years, but it was during Victorian times it became really popular
Old Christmas carols: nine of the best festive songs from down the centuries
Director of The Sixteen Harry Christophers names his five of the oldest Christmas carols from 1600 and before
The 50 best Christmas carols of all time
Here's a list of the best-ever Christmas carols for the festive season, as voted for by 50 top choral experts from across the UK and US. Do you agree with their choices?
Handel Messiah: the work that caused traffic jams at its Dublin premiere
In 1742 Handel's Messiah made its debut in Dublin to much acclaim - but why did the composer choose Ireland over London? George Pratt and Terry Blain explain
The Snowman: A guide to the music of this festive classic - and who actually sang 'Walking in the Air'
Odds are that you know this music, but what were the circumstances behind its composition? And who actually sings 'Walking in the Air' on the original film soundtrack? Here is our guide to the music of a festive classic
Christmas jazz songs: 12 of the best
From Ella Fitzgerald to Elvis Presley, here's our handpicked selection of the best Christmas jazz songs
Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols: the story behind it and its best recordings
Jeremy Pound takes a look at one of Britten's most popular festive works, A Ceremony of Carols
Best Christmas jazz albums
Read our list of some of the best Christmas jazz albums ever released. Did your favourite make the cut?
Christmas music origins: how did festive music start?
Roderick Swanston investigates how Christmas music started and what gives it its festive air
Best Christmas classical music
What is the perfect Christmas music to get oneself into the festive spirit? We ask ten of our writers to name the Christmas music they couldn’t imagine Yuletide without
Best Christmas concerts UK 2023
A round-up of the venues hosting live Christmas concerts and showcasing classical artists across the UK
André Rieu Christmas concerts in Maastricht: all you need to know
Where can you see the Dutch violinist, dubbed the ‘King of Waltz’, and his Johann Strauss Orchestra during this year’s festive season?
German Christmas carols: 7 of the best festive songs from Germany
Our round-up of the most popular German Christmas carols and songs
French Christmas songs: 8 of the best
Our round-up of the most famous French Christmas songs
The Sixteen's best Christmas recordings
The Sixteen is one of the best choirs in the world, with nearly 100 discs under its belt. Here are our favourite Christmas recordings
The best recordings of The Christmas Story by Heinrich Schütz
Paul Riley turns his festive thoughts back to 1660s Germany, as he investigates which recordings of the early Baroque masterpiece, The Christmas Story, should be on your Christmas wish list