Photos: Blue Note Records/Capitol

When I think of voices that are built for the warmth of the holiday season, Norah Jones is definitely a singer that comes to mind, which is what makes it all that more sweeter than the 9-time GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist is releasing her first holiday album, I Dream Of Christmas.

“I’ve always loved Christmas music but never had the inclination to make a holiday album until now,” Norah said in an official statement. “Last year I found myself listening to James Brown’s Funky Christmas and Elvis’s Christmas Album on Sunday’s during lockdown for a sense of comfort. In January 2021, I started thinking about making a Christmas album of my own. It gave me something fun to work on and look forward to.”

The comforting collection of holiday songs include the opening track, which is also an original song, “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”.

Photos: AppleTV+

It was headline news last year when word broke out that the holiday specials featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang, which typically air between October and December, would not air on network television but instead would stream on AppleTV+.  In November, PBS announced that the network would air “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which was great news for non-subscribers of Apple’s streaming service.

According to USAToday, it seems that PBS will continue in airing the holiday specials this year in addition to AppleTV+ streaming of all Peanuts specials—despite the initial exclusive streaming deal.

Check out the broadcast dates and times below!

• “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” | Sunday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET (PBS and PBS Kids)
• “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” | Sunday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET (PBS and PBS Kids)
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas” | Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET (PBS and PBS Kids)

Stay Merry,

(left) Rockefeller Center in NYC; (right) Kelly Clarkson | Photos: NBC

NBC 4 New York/WNBC is offering a very exciting opportunity to a local youth choir this holiday season. Starting this week, and running until Saturday, October 23rd, local choirs can enter for the chance to sing at the annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting this year.

“WNBC has created a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the youth of our community. Performing on the world’s holiday stage during our ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’ is an experience unlike any other and we are excited to offer this to one lucky youth singing group from our area,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York.

Competition entries will be accepted at nbcnewyork.com/choir — and the winning choir will be announced in November on NBC’s “The Kelly Clarkson Show”.

Specific holiday singing competition rules include:

• The contest is restricted to participants residing within WNBC’s viewing areas in New York, New Jersey, Fairfield County, Connecticut and Pike County, Pennsylvania.
• Singing groups must have a minimum of 10 members and a maximum of 35 members.
• All entrants must be between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age.
• Entrants can submit a video performance of any holiday-themed song, up to 3 minutes long.

Entrants chosen for a second round:

• Will be required to submit formal parental consent to proceed in the process.
• Will be asked to perform and submit an original, :90 second performance of “Silent Night”, “Joy to the World” or “Up on a Housetop.”
• The winning choir will be required to comply with all current COVID-19 protocols.

Stay Merry,

Photos: Universal Music Group

There is a lot of holiday music coming out in the coming weeks, but a highly-anticipated album dropped on Friday… the first Christmas album from Darren Criss!

The singer/actor, best known for a breakout role on the musical FOX series Glee, has released his first full-length venture into holiday music, and we think it was long overdue. Darren’s beautiful voice is perfect for the Christmas season, so we suggest checking out his album, A Very Darren Crissmas!

On the record, you’ll find traditional holiday tracks like “The Christmas Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well as more modern covers like Criss’ rendition of John Mayer‘s “St. Patrick’s Day” and Regina Spektor‘s “New Year”.  He also teams up with actress Evan Rachel Wood on “Somewhere In My Memory”, from the Home Alone soundtrack, and with former Glee co-star Adam Lambert for “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag”.

Key Art: Warner Bros.

There will be another new holiday movie hitting theaters this Christmas season, and the trailer for it was just released.  Inspired by writer, director, and star Aml Ameen‘s life comes “Boxing Day,“ the holiday romantic comedy of the year!

In “Boxing Day,” Melvin (Ameen), a British author living in America, returns home to London for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée, Lisa (Aja Naomi King, How to Get Away with Murder), to his eccentric British-Caribbean family. Their relationship is put to the test as she discovers the world her fiancée has left behind.  Leigh-Anne Pinnock of the popular British music group Little Mix will star as Melvin’s ex, Georgia.  Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Stephen Dillan also star.

“Boxing Day” hits theaters on December 3rd. Watch the trailer below!

(Left to Right) Matt Sallee, Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Kevin Olusola and Mitch Grassi. (Photo: RCA Records)

Pentatonix is releasing their sixth Christmas album!  That’s right, three-time GRAMMY award-winning quintet have made releasing Christmas music somewhat of a holiday tradition at this point.

We’re here for that type of spirit.

The album, Evergreen, will release on October 29th and will feature 14-tracks, including PTX’s rendition of the 1945 big band-era song,”It’s Been A Long, Long Time”. The song is written from the perspective of welcoming home a loved on from war, so it feels fitting to include it as so many are reuniting with loved ones this Christmas.

The a cappella group played upon those feelings of yearning to hear from a loved one by covering Stevie Wonder’s 1984 classic, “I Just Called To Say I Love You”.

Hatcher (left), Denton (center), Henner (right) | Photos: Crown Media

Today we bring you long-awaited Christmas movie news… “A Kiss Before Christmas” will finally premiere on Hallmark Channel during this year’s Countdown to Christmas lineup!

Last year James Denton (The Good Witch) did an interview with Hallmark Channel’s Bubbly Sesh Podcast and talked about a holiday movie he had in development called “A Kiss Before Christmas,” but unfortunately, it did not premiere with last year’s holiday offering.

Hallmark Channel confirmed today that not only would the movie be ready for this year’s slate, but Denton will also be reuniting with former “Desperate Housewives” co-star Teri Hatcher for the film. This will mark the first time the two have worked together since the iconic series ended in 2012, and it will be the first on-screen reunion of any cast members from the hit series.

Graphic by LollyChristmas.com

The Hallmark Christmas movies kick off this month, which is something exciting to look forward to. To check out some of the movies we can expect from Countdown to Christmas on Hallmark Channel and Miracles of Christmas on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, click here!

Stay merry!

Photos: Capitol Nashville

Grammy winner Carrie Underwood released her first-ever Christmas album, My Gift, last year but she has more merry in store for us with a special edition of the critically acclaimed holiday album.

My Gift: Special Edition is available now digitally and on CD and pre-orders have begun for vinyl, which will be available on November 5th.

When the original album released in September 2020, it topped Billboard charts for Country, Christian and Holiday albums, and it ranked #1 on the UK and Canadian Country album charts as well. On the deluxe version you’ll find three additional tracks, including “My Favorite Time of Year,” which you can listen to below, as well as favorites from the original tracklist like Underwood’s duet of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah” with Grammy winner John Legend.

Photo credit: Courtesy of OWN

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is your ‘OWN for the Holidays’ this year with three heartwarming all-new Christmas movies that are sure to get you and your family in the spirit this season!

Continuing its holiday tradition of original festive programming, the lineup includes films lead by Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Morgan Dixon, Meagan Holder, Tonea Stewart, Idara Victor, and network stars, including Greenleaf‘s Lamman Rucker, Jen Harper, Laparee Young, Lindsey Amani Blackwell from David Makes Man, and Queen Sugar‘s Amanda Tavarez.

“Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural holiday movie slate last year, we’re excited to announce all-new movies with heartwarming storylines the whole family can enjoy,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “We hope that viewers will continue to make watching our movies together a part of their ongoing holiday traditions.”

Additionally, to kick off the month of December, OWN will air Our OWN Christmas — a music special hosted by Meagan Good and DeVonFranklin featuring gospel, hip-hop and R&B artists from across the country as they celebrate the holidays in their “OWN” unique ways!

Read more about each movie below!