Nat King Cole's Christmas Song Marks 80th Anniversary
The classic holiday track celebrates eight decades as part of a series of anniversary releases and new media projects.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Holiday Music
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Nat King Cole's iconic 1946 recording of The Christmas Song hits its 80th anniversary in 2026. The milestone is being commemorated with a suite of new releases including special edition vinyl, a book, and a holiday film.
Why it matters
The Christmas Song remains a definitive holiday standard, with its cultural endurance highlighted by its 2022 inclusion in the National Recording Registry. This celebration reinforces the song's place in the American musical canon eight decades after its inception.
The original recording of The Christmas Song was completed in 1946, 80 years prior to this 2026 anniversary. The track's cultural significance was formally recognized in 2022 when the Library of Congress added the 1961 stereo version to the National Recording Registry.
The players
Nat King Cole
He was a legendary jazz pianist and vocalist who became the first Black man to host a nationally broadcast network television series.
Mel Torme
He was an accomplished singer, jazz vocalist, and songwriter who co-wrote The Christmas Song in 1945.
Robert Wells
He was a songwriter who collaborated with Mel Torme to compose the lyrics for the enduring holiday standard.
Allison McGevna
She is the author of the upcoming book documenting the musical and holiday legacy of Nat King Cole.
Library of Congress
This is the research library that officially preserves American history and culture through the National Recording Registry.
The details
Capitol/UMe is releasing three new editions of the album on vinyl, including a gold-glitter, liquid-filled version. Additionally, the holiday season features the October 27 release of the book Christmas with Nat King Cole: A Legacy of Merry Music and Holiday Memories by Allison McGevna and the premiere of the Hallmark Channel movie Hearts All Aglow on December 18.
Timeline
1945: Mel Torme and Robert Wells wrote The Christmas Song.
1946: Nat King Cole first recorded The Christmas Song.
November 5, 1956: The Nat King Cole Show debuted on national television.
2022: Library of Congress added the 1961 recording to the National Recording Registry.
October 27, 2026: The book regarding the legacy of Nat King Cole is published.
Industry Dynamics
This anniversary project reflects a broader trend in the music industry to leverage the enduring cultural capital of classic holiday standards through high-value physical media. It positions the Nat King Cole catalog alongside other legacy acts that utilize archival recognition, such as the National Recording Registry, to drive modern commercial releases.
Fans can purchase the new special edition vinyl releases starting October 30, 2026, to add to their holiday music collections. Viewers can also tune in to the Hallmark Channel on December 18, 2026, to watch the premiere of the holiday movie Hearts All Aglow.
The takeaway
The sustained popularity of this 80-year-old recording illustrates the unique power of holiday standards to bridge generations. Listeners looking to engage with this legacy can look for the upcoming anniversary physical media releases to enhance their seasonal music traditions.
Further reading
For more on classic tracks, explore the Holiday Music archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by uDiscover Music.
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