Sufjan Stevens Shares New Christmas Song Ahead of ‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ Album Release
Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Over Here Toronto
Sufjan Stevens is getting ready for the holiday season with new music. The singer-songwriter has released “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better),” a new single and music video from his upcoming holiday album, Worst Christmas Ever!.
The album is set for release on Friday, November 6, 2026, through Asthmatic Kitty. It will feature 16 tracks, including the newly released song and selections from Stevens’ previous Christmas recordings.
The new single explores apology, self-reflection, and forgiveness. Through its lyrics, Stevens presents Christmas as a time not only for giving gifts but also for making amends and understanding others.
Sufjan Stevens Releases New Christmas Single and Music Video
“On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” marks the first new Christmas song Stevens has written, produced, and performed in nearly 15 years.
The song centers on asking for forgiveness and reflecting on past actions. Stevens also describes it as a Christmas apology, sharing the idea that forgiveness can be just as meaningful as giving and receiving gifts.
Furthermore, the accompanying music video features an artistic approach to the song. Created by Stevens, Michael O’Neal, and Cubby Graham, the video includes 6,000 hand-painted stills made by Stevens, O’Neal, Graham, and Hannah Cohen.
Fans can watch the official music video on YouTube.
‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ Brings Together 16 Holiday Tracks
The upcoming album, Worst Christmas Ever!, brings together selections from Stevens’ extensive Christmas music catalog.
The collection draws from his earlier releases, Songs for Christmas and Silver & Gold. It also includes the previously unheard track “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better).”
Among the returning fan favorites are “Sister Winter,” “Put The Lights On The Tree,” “Only At Christmas Time,” and “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!”
Other tracks include “Silent Night,” “Joy To The World,” “Christmas In The Room,” and “Justice Delivers Its Gift.”
The album also features two versions of “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” alongside “Sleigh Ride,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages).”
A Christmas Music Tradition That Started in 2001
Stevens began making Christmas music in 2001. Initially, he created the songs as holiday gifts for friends and family.
His process usually involved spending a week in December recording at home with friends, roommates, and fellow musicians. Over time, these recordings grew into a collection of nearly five hours of Christmas music.
In 2006, Asthmatic Kitty gathered the first five volumes into Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1–5. Later, in 2012, the label released Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6–10, which compiled five more EPs recorded between 2006 and 2010.
These releases featured several collaborators, including Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, Cat Martino, Gabriel Kahane, and Casey Foubert.
Now, Worst Christmas Ever! brings selections from those collections together with a new song, giving listeners another way to revisit Stevens’ holiday catalog.
Listen to Sufjan Stevens’ ‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ This November
With its mix of familiar holiday recordings and new material, Worst Christmas Ever! brings together different parts of Stevens’ Christmas music journey.
The album arrives on November 6, 2026, through Asthmatic Kitty. Fans can also check the limited Dinked edition and Rough Trade exclusive through their respective pre-order pages.
For more details, visit the official Sufjan Stevens website.
‘Worst Christmas Ever!’ Tracklist
- Silent Night
- Put The Lights On The Tree
- Holly Jolly Christmas
- Christmas In The Room
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Christmas Infinity Voyage Version)
- Sister Winter
- Joy To The World
- On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)
- Angels We Have Heard On High (Christmas Infinity Voyage Version)
- Only At Christmas Time
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Christmas Unicorn Version)
- That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
- Sleigh Ride
- Justice Delivers Its Gift
- Auld Lang Syne
- Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages)
