For albums released before SoundScan started collecting data in 1991, Billboard used their RIAA certification to determine sales. In November 2016, Billboard has compiled a list of the top ten selling Christmas albums, using both RIAA certification information and actual point-of-sale data from Nielsen SoundScan. 4 Best-selling Christmas albums by yearīest-selling Christmas albums (using RIAA certifications and Nielsen SoundScan sales through November 2016).3 Best-selling Christmas albums by RIAA certification.

2 Best-selling Christmas albums from Nielsen SoundScan tracking data (through December 1, 2014).1 Best-selling Christmas albums (using RIAA certifications and Nielsen SoundScan sales through November 2016).įrom March 1, 1991, through the present day, the Nielsen SoundScan tracking system has been more widely used to accurately track sales of record albums and singles at the point of sale (POS) based on inventory bar code scans. (3 million copies of the original 1957 release on RCA Victor Records, plus 10 million copies of a 'budget' edition first released by RCA Camden in 1970 and then by Pickwick Records in 1975, and 4 million copies of another RCA reissue titled It's Christmas Time released in 1985). According to the most recent record album certifications, the holiday album title that has shipped the most copies in the United States is Elvis Presley's 1957 LP Elvis' Christmas Album, which is certified by the RIAA for shipment of 17 million copies in the U.S. Prior to March 1, 1991, the only means of tracking sales figures for record albums and singles in the United States was via the certification system of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), based specifically on shipments (less potential returns) on a long-term basis.

It includes artists from all over the world, but it only includes sales in the United States of America. This page shows the best-selling Christmas albums in the United States.

Best holiday albums 2017