The Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds leads race for 2023's Official Christmas Number 1 album

The Rolling Stones look set to secure 2023’s Official Christmas Number 1 album with Hackney Diamonds. 

As guitarist Keith Richards celebrates his 80th birthday today (December 18), the group’s first record of original material in 18 years eyes a return to Number 1 this week. Hackney Diamonds previously debuted atop the Official Albums Chart in October, spending one week at the summit so far.  

See every Official Christmas Number 1 album from 1956-2022 here.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Official Christmas Number 1 single race

Michael Bublé currently poses the biggest threat to The Stones; the Canadian singer-songwriter’s seasonal staple Christmas at Number 2 midweek. The 2011 parent album of the Official biggest Christmas song of the 21st century, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, has spent five non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 in the UK since its release. 

Elsewhere, Cher’s festive collection Christmas could reach a brand-new peak, set to lift ten to Number 5 midweek. Her 27th studio album, which includes collaborations with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Darlene Love and Cyndi Lauper, Christmas previously peaked at Number 8. 

André Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra’s Jewels of Romance is also expected to experience uplift this week, currently tracking to rise thirteen to Number 6. 

Gregory Porter’s Christmas Wish collection looks set to rebound back into the Top 40 this week (26), as do Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (28) and Cliff Richard’s latest release Cliff with Strings – My Kinda Life (32).

See the full Official Albums Chart Update Top 100 here from 5.45pm.

When will the Official Christmas Number 1 song 2023 be announced?

The 2023 Official Christmas Number 1 will be announced on Friday, December 22. The full Christmas Top 40 will be counted down on BBC Radio 1's The Official Chart with Jack Saunders from 4pm.

The full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Official Christmas Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm.

Make sure you’re following Official Charts on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates throughout the race. Join in the Christmas Number 1 conversation using #XmasNo1 and #OfficialChart. 

Stay up to date with the latest Christmas Number 1 news right here on OfficialCharts.com. And sign up to our mailing list for breaking news alerts on the race.