What Is Brenda Lee Doing This Christmas?
What To Know
- Brenda Lee’s classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” achieved new milestones in 2023 and 2024, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being named Tennessee’s official holiday song.
- The song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and was certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA, solidifying its place among the most popular holiday songs ever.
- Lee is celebrating the season this year with a Target-exclusive vinyl release and a new book, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: A Festive Guide to Celebrating,” offering holiday inspiration and traditions.
Brenda Lee will always be a special part of the Christmas season. While she recorded her hit song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at 13 years old, she has kept her career going throughout the decades. Now, at 81 years old, she has a new limited-edition vinyl exclusively at Target and a new book celebrating the holiday season. Read on for a peek at what the Christmas queen has been up to this year.
In December 2023, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, marking Lee’s third No. 1 hit and her first since 1960. The song held the top spot the following week and returned to No. 1 again in early January 2024, making Lee the oldest artist ever to top the Hot 100. In December 2024, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” received an honor that few pop songs ever do: Tennessee officially named it the state’s holiday song, a designation written into state law. The recognition was celebrated at the Tennessee State Capitol.
The honor cemented Lee’s connection to the state where much of her career unfolded and underscored how deeply the song has become embedded in American Christmas tradition. Lee’s Christmas season also comes with major numbers behind it. In December 2024, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, placing it among the most-streamed holiday songs of all time. That same month, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the song 7× Platinum for U.S. digital sales.
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In a December 2025 interview in Woman’s World, Lee said of the song “It’s funny. I still sing it in every show—winter, summer, spring or fall.”
What is Brenda Lee doing this Christmas?
Today, Target is carrying a Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree vinyl release as a Target-exclusive item. It includes a digital Christmas card signed by Lee. The track list is centered on her Decca-era holiday recordings and includes “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus” and “Christy Christmas.”
Lee is also extending her Christmas presence beyond music. A new book titled Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: A Festive Guide to Celebrating came out on September 23, 2025. While the book borrows its name from her signature song, it is designed to be displayed in the home during the holidays, offering inspiration for gatherings and traditions. It includes recipes, crafts and more fun ways to celebrate.
In addition, Lee has been posting fun holiday content on her social media for the month of December — fans can go to her official Facebook or Instagram accounts to see her interact with Santa and talk about her new book.
Remind 
Home For The Holidays
November 2021
Celebrate the holidays with your favorite classic stars!
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