Written by Thomas Brill
After the Bryan Adams and Friends single “California Christmas” became an instant favorite—hitting No. 1 on the Canadian Radio Holiday Chart—the ensemble is back with A Great Big Holiday Jam, released just in time for the encroaching yuletide.
The 13-track holiday album is jam-packed with some of Canada’s top voices, including Alessia Cara, The Sheepdogs, Alan Doyle, and The Barenaked Ladies.
“With A Great Big Holiday Jam, we’re reminded that the holidays don’t always have to be snowy—they can be spent around a beach bonfire, warmed by the California sun.”
A Holiday Album with a West Coast Soul
When I think of holiday music, I think of Frankie, Dino, and Bing. I picture frosty windows, hot cocoa, winter wonderlands, and candy cane forests.
Bryan Adams, however, had something else in mind.
A Great Big Holiday Jam offers a refreshing reminder that the holiday season can look a little different—roasting chestnuts by the ocean instead of the fireplace.
Setting the Tone
The album opens with the Beach Boys classic “Little Saint Nick,” and almost immediately I was wondering if it’s too late to add a surfboard to my Christmas list. It’s a perfect opener, establishing the breezy, West Coast vibe that carries throughout the record.
“Two listens into ‘California Christmas’ and I was already looking up the chords so I could play it for the family.”
Songs That Hit Close to Home
One of the album’s most emotional moments comes with “I’ll Be There Christmas Eve.” Growing up, Christmas Eve was always the biggest night—family packed into the kitchen, loud conversations, food everywhere, and songs filling the room.
Alan Doyle’s performance captures the heart of that feeling, singing about a journey home and reminding us why being together matters most during the holidays.
Real Moments from the Studio
Throughout the LP, snippets of studio chatter are woven between tracks, pulling back the curtain on the emotion behind the music. We hear laughter, shared joy, and moments of vulnerability.
“I got emotional in the last verse. I kinda lost it,” Adams admits while wrapping up “Footprints.”
Another voice responds simply: “I’m emotional right now.”
“This album feels less like a polished holiday product and more like friends making music together in real time.”
Standout Tracks
One of my favorites is “I Saw Three Ships.” After a brief false start and a discussion about tempo, a fiddle kicks in and transforms the song into a full-on sea shanty, driven by pounding drums and finger-picked acoustics. This one was made for stomping feet and clanking steins.
And then there’s “California Christmas.” With its opening oohs and ahhs that echo Brian Wilson’s Pet Sounds, it delivers everything you want in a modern holiday classic—warm, catchy, and impossible to shake.
A Quiet, Perfect Ending
As someone in the studio announces, “Last song, Gary,” the album drifts into its closer, “O Christmas Tree.” Bryan Adams strips it down to just piano and voice, offering a soft, smoky rendition that feels intimate and timeless.
When the final note fades, Adams leaves us with a simple message:
“Happy Christmas everybody.”
“It’s not how you expect a holiday album to end—and that’s exactly why it works.”
Final Thoughts
A Great Big Holiday Jam isn’t just another seasonal release—it’s a warm, communal listening experience that captures the joy, emotion, and unexpected moments that make the holidays special.
I know I’ll be having one listening to this album.
