Music

The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums 

Christmas Music
Updated December 20, 2019 253 votes 143 voters 13.1k views 18 items

List Rules Vote up the songs that are essential for a merry progressive rock Christmas.

List of the best progressive rock Christmas albums, ranked best to worst. For some rockers out there, progressive rock Christmas albums capture the essence of the holiday spirit, even if the music isn't quite what you'd expect to hear around holiday time. Some of the biggest bands and artists of the genre have released holiday songs that were much better than the traditional songs that flooded airwaves, allowing for the popularity of progressive rock songs, which are among the most requested during the holiday season.

The progressive albums featured on this list are some of the most well known and popular titles of that genre, and likely introduced an entirely new audience to holiday and Christmas music. These are some of the most popular Christmas songs of all time and some of the greatest jingles in the history of music. What are your top 10 prog rock albums about Christmas? Vote up your favorites below, and feel free to add any that you think we may have missed.

list ordered by
1
The Jethro Tull Christma... is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Jethro Tull (2003); Tracks: Birthday Card at Christmas, Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow & A Winter Snowscape
2
Swiss Choir is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
BillFoss added By Chris Squire; Tracks: Run With The Fox, Adam Lay Y'Bounden & In the Bleak Midwinter
Holiday release from Yes bassist Chris Squire with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and the English Baroque Choir. This release is a collection of Baroque Christmas Carols but also includes the 1981 hit 'Run With The Fox', which is not available elsewhere. Often haunting but always inspiring, this is a unique Christmas CD that will appeal to all.       
3
Christmas Eve and Other ... is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Trans-Siberian Orchestra (1996); Tracks: Promises To Keep, Good King Joy & A Star to Follow
4
The Christmas Album is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Keith Emerson (1999); Tracks: Variations on 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', Glorietta & Snowman's Land
5
Merry Axemas, Volume 2: ... is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
6
3 Ships is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
BillFoss added By Jon Anderson (1985); Tracks: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells & Ray Of Hope (Bonus Track)
7
The Christmas Attic is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Trans-Siberian Orchestra (1998); Tracks: The Snow Came Down, Boughs of Holly & Joy / Angels We Have Heard on High
8
The Lost Christmas Eve ... is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2004); Tracks: Siberian Sleigh Ride, Wizards in Winter & Back to a Reason
9
Christmas 1999: marillio... is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
10
Christmas 2000: A Piss-U... is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
11
Yule Ritual is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
12
A Guitar Christmas Album... is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By John Darnall (1999); Tracks: Coventry Carol, I Wonder as I Wander & Angels We Have Heard on High
13
Christmas Variations is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Rick Wakeman (2000); Tracks: While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night, Angels From the Realms of Glory & Once in Royal David's City
14
August Burns Red Present... is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
Brad Graber added By August Burns Red (2012); Tracks: Flurries, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen & Sleigh Ride
15
Christmas 2005: Merry Xm... is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
16
Night Castle is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2009); Tracks: There Was a Life, Nutrocker & The Mountain
17
Beethoven's Last Night ... is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums
By Trans-Siberian Orchestra (2000); Tracks: Mephistopheles' Return, Fate & The Dreams of Candlelight
18
Say Cheese! Christmas Wi... is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Progressive Rock Christmas Albums