The album was primarily recorded in Love's home studio on Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.[2] It features Love's children — Ambha, Brian, Christian and Hayleigh — who provide choral voices on five tracks, and his sister Maureen as the harpist on "O Holy Night".[3] It also features a guest appearance by Hanson on "Finally It's Christmas", the title track to their 2017 Christmas album.[4] Earlier in 2018, Love collaborated with Hanson on a re-recording of The Beach Boys' "It's OK".[5] Hanson also recorded "Little St. Nick" for their 1997 Christmas album, Snowed In.[6]
The cover photo of the Aurora Borealis was taken by Brian Love off an island in Norway.[7] The back cover features a photo of Mike Love as a child playing with Lionel Trains under a Christmas tree.[8]
Love released music videos for the title track[9] and "Finally It's Christmas".[10]
The album reached #4 on Billboard's Holiday Album Chart and #6 on the Independent Albums Chart.[3] Kevin Coffey of the Omaha World-Herald included it in his list of the best new Christmas music of 2018.[11]
Love and Bruce Johnston’s Beach Boys touring band performed tracks from this album during their 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022 holiday tours.[12][13][14][15]
