When will the 2019 Christmas Number 1 be announced?

It's the most wonderful time of the year – and is even more wonderful for any artist who manages to end up top of the tree when it comes to the Official Singles Chart at Christmas.

Celebrating a UK Christmas Number 1 is a festive tradition going back decades. The very first one came back in 1952, when Al Martino claimed the snow-capped summit with Here in my Heart. 

Since then, a wide variety of tracks have scored that special Number 1 – from festive faves and beautiful ballads, to dance bangers and, of course, a few whackier tracks that could, in all honesty, only reach Number 1 at Christmas.

Friday 20 December is the date to get in your calendar: that's when the full Christmas Top 40 is counted down on BBC Radio 1's Official Chart, from 4pm. Look back at every Official Christmas Number 1 ever.

The full, extra festive Top 100 and Official Christmas Number 1 will also be available on OfficialCharts.com from 5:45pm.

Last year the Official Christmas Number 1 went to YouTube sensation and dad blogger LadBaby – real name Mark Hoyle – who, along with his wife Roxanne and two young sons, released a new version of Starship’s 1985 hit as an ode to sausage rolls (rather than rock and roll). Proceeds from the single went to food-bank charity The Trussell Trust.

It's a tad early to talk contenders just yet, bu anyone who wants to be in with a shot at landing the Official Christmas Number 1 Award in their stocking must make sure their single is available during the week before the cut-off point for sales and streams to be counted toward the chart, which in 2019 is midnight on December 19. 

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

Look back at every Official Christmas Number 1 ever: