Love it or hate it, we've gotten around to that time of year when seasonal music is all but unavoidable. Thankfully, we have plenty of musicians here in the Twin Cities who are revamping the holiday canon and updating the classics for a new generation of music fans. Here's a look at some of the latest holiday covers and originals to come out of the area this year.

Now THAT'S What I Call Xmas

My favorite new batch of tunes comes courtesy of a handful of overlapping garage and rock musicians, including members of Nice Purse, Hums, The Miami Dolphins, and songwriter Jack Campbell. There are seven covers in all, and they are offering the whole thing as a free download, so grab it now.

Fat Kid Wednesdays

One of Minneapolis's finest improvisational groups recently posted their rendition of the Charlie Brown Christmas classic "Christmastime is Here," which they recorded at the State Theatre just this week while opening for Andrew Bird.

Chris Koza and the Holiday Lights sampler

Speaking of "Christmastime is Here," Chris Koza did a more straightforward, yet ambient take on that tune for the new Holiday Lights, Vol. 4 charity compilation, which also features the New Standards, Owl City, and Alison Scott. The compilation is available at Kowalski's, and you can sample audio clips at the link below.

Holiday Lights, Vol. 4 track list and audio samples

Anthony Bennett

This one isn't new, but it's a new discovery for me -- Duluth acoustic songwriter Anthony Bennett gets in the holiday spirit with "It's Christmastime." If you like his sound, you may want to check out his new full-length album.

Lydia Hoglund and Joe Anderson

Simple and sweet, this little ditty features Bomba de Luz's Lydia Hoglund and Joe Anderson trading verses on the creepy holiday classic "Baby It's Cold Outside."

Have more to add? Leave your own favorites in the comments. And tune into the Local Show this Sunday night, December 23, for two solid hours of Minnesota holiday music.