Welcome back, Wayfairers. It is almost Christmas in our world and the third day of Yuletide in The Feengrenze. I am in a festive mood and have been marinating my brain in Christmas music. I thought it would be a fun idea to share some appropriate music for the season; some are old favorites of mine and the McDonald Clan, and some are recent discoveries, but all are good albums.

Also before we dive into the Christmas music, it seems that nobody commented on my last post which is a shame because that was the whole point of the post. Well might as well tell you the joke. The whole article was a running gag on “and the Mouse Police Never Sleep,” the first track from Jethro Tull’s album Heavy Horses. The post is filled with references to the bands members and discography including several other songs from the album.

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The Bells of Dublin by the Chieftains

It’s one of my all-time favorite Christmas albums from my favorite folk group. The album combines classic Christmas carols and Celtic Christmas songs in the lively Irish style the Chieftains are known for. The music is perfect for a festive tavern scene. Highlights from the album include Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil, a traditional Irish Christmas carol first read in English before being sung in haunting Irish Gaelic, and a version of the wren song.

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The Jethro Tull Christmas Album by Jethro Tull

This is in the running for my all-time favorite Jethro Tull album. Jethro Tull’s folk rock chops are on full display in this album of both new and returning favorite songs that, like The Bells of Dublin, are perfect for a tavern. My personal favorite song from the album is Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow, with the version of Weathercock on this album coming in at a close second.

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A Midwinter Night’s Dream by Loreena McKennitt

An album discovered during the research for this very piece, I cannot get over how much the tracks sound like something you would hear a bard play in a tavern in Waterdeep or Sliberberg. This album has my favorite version of The Gloucestershire Wassail, and the version of Good King Wenceslas on the album is excellent. I can imagine the songs in this album being used in any number of situations—from ambiance to tavern music to a traveling montage.

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Winter’s Majesty by Nox Arcana

Another recent discovery, the moment I heard the first song on this album I thought that this was the perfect album for winter ambiance music. The darkly ambient neoclassical music is just the right blend of gothic and wistful for winter travel themes, background music for an icy dungeon, and even a few tracks that could serve as battle music in a pinch. Winter’s Majesty is also the third album in a trilogy of winter-themed albums. I have not checked them out, but they would likely also be good fits for the same scenarios.

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Winter Carols by Blackmore’s Night

Another folk-rock group, the neo-medieval sound of Blackmore’s Night is a perfect fit for D&D. The Christmas album Winter Carols is no exception. It is a perfect mix of music for tavern scenes, feasts, and Wassailing. Lord of the Dance / Simple Gifts is the highlight of the album, in my opinion.

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The Christmas Revels, Rose and Thistle, and The Christmas Revels: Music from the George and Dragon Inn – Various Artists

I am cheating a bit by including three albums in one entry, but these are almost made for holiday D&D soundtracks. For those who do not know, the Midwinter Revels is a tradition in Boston; it is a Christmas pageant that has been put on every year (with a one-year lull due to the COVID-19 pandemic) at Sanders Theater at Harvard University every December since the 70s. Each year has a different theme based on a culture and time period from around the world, including several from Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and it features some of the best folk music I have ever heard.

I have been to the 2019 production of The Revels Ribbon of Highway: An American Christmas Revels, and I have watched the virtual performance of the 2021 production of The Revels, the George and the Dragon Inn, and can attest to the quality of the music. All three albums are available on Spotify, along with others from the Midwinter Revels’ 50-year history.

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Winter by Steeleye Span

Yet another folk-rock album, Winter is full of the band’s iconic harmonies and timeless blend of traditional folk and rock influences. It delivers a mix of festive and reflective tracks that are perfect for setting the tone in a medieval-inspired world. Songs like The First Nowell and Greenwood Side evoke a sense of ancient holiday celebrations, making this album a great fit for both solemn moments and lively gatherings in your D&D campaign.

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I hope you find these recommendations helpful for setting the perfect ambiance during your holiday D&D sessions. Whether your players are huddled around a tavern fire, braving icy dungeons, or feasting in a grand hall, these albums can add an extra layer of magic to your adventures. Happy listening and happy adventuring!