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When Lea Michele thinks of Christmas, it brings back fond memories of spending the holidays in New York with her large Italian family.

The singer and actress recalls how, as a child, she would wake Christmas morning to the sounds of classic holiday tunes and don a hilarious ugly Christmas sweater. Her mother gifts a new one to family members every year.

Now, the 33-year-old is ringing in the season in a way she’s never done before: by debuting a holiday album, “Christmas in the City.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine to release a Christmas album,” Michele says. “I’m in a very happy place in my life right now, and this seemed like a good time to make the album a reality.”

That happiness is due, in large part, to Zandy Reich, president of the clothing brand All Year Round, whom Michele married in March. Their Napa, California, wedding was officiated by “Glee” and “Scream Queens” creator Ryan Murphy and attended by her “Glee” co-stars Darren Criss, Jonathan Groff (who served as man of honor) and Becca Tobin.

Groff and Criss also appear on “Christmas in the City,” which pays homage to Michele’s home state of New York. The 11-track collection features traditional favorites, such as “White Christmas” and “Silent Night,” as well as an original song, “Christmas in New York,” co-written by Michele and Adam Anders, “Glee” songwriter and producer.

“Adam and his brother, Alex, produced all of the music for ‘Glee.’ I was so excited to work with them again and to capture that vibrant, powerful and happy ‘Glee’ sound we had on the show,” Michele says. “Jonathan is my best friend. We first met when we appeared on Broadway together. And Darren is also one of my dearest friends, so recording this album was like working with family.”

Michele says “Christmas in the City” – which also includes a duet of “Angels We Have Heard on High” with Broadway favorite Cynthia Erivo – was inspired by “New York’s magic and holiday spirit” as well as holiday memories she’s made over the years with family and friends.

“Jonathan and I used to sing ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ together at charity events when we both lived in New York, so the song has a special meaning for us,” Michele says. “On ‘Glee,’ we always did Christmas songs, and they were among the most fun to sing.”

Michele also just wrapped another big holiday project this winter: the movie “Same Time, Next Christmas,” set to premiere on ABC Dec. 5. The cast includes Charles Michael Davis, Bryan Greenberg, George Newbern and Nia Vardalos.

“It’s a combination rom-com-holiday movie,” Michele says with a laugh. “I play the role of a young woman who met her childhood sweetheart during her family’s annual Christmas visit to Hawaii and reunites with him years later, but my character finds herself in the midst of a love triangle.”

Michele spent more a month filming the movie on location in Hawaii, where she also hosted her bachelorette party in February, attended by friends such as actresses Emma Roberts and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Although she now lives in Los Angeles, Michele’s parents and extended family still reside on the East Coast, and the state of New York remains near and dear to her heart. So, this winter, as Michele celebrates her first Christmas as a newlywed, she and Reich will trek east for the holiday festivities.

“No matter how busy I am during the holidays, I always go home to spend Christmas with my family,” Michele says. “I love seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center and going to the Rockettes’ Christmas show.”

While she’s an only child, growing up in a big extended family ensured that the holidays were never dull, Michele says: “We always go to my aunt’s house in the Bronx, where there’s lots of laughter and big bowls full of pasta and meatballs. In recent years, rather than gifting presents, my parents and I have been giving each other experiences, such as tickets to a Broadway show or another opportunity where we can make memories.”

Speaking of shows, Michele will take a break from merrymaking to perform songs from her Christmas album at the Concert Hall at New York Society for Ethical Culture on the Upper West Side on Dec. 19, 20 and 21. 

Michele, who grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, began her career on Broadway at age 8, playing young Cosette in “Les Misérables.” That led to additional roles in such shows as “Ragtime,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Spring Awakening.”

“I performed on Broadway from the time I was 8 until the age of 23,” Michele says. “I would love to do more Broadway shows if they would have me.”

In 2009, Michele rose to stardom after being cast on the hit TV show “Glee” as the fierce and funny glee club star Rachel Berry. This year, as the award-winning series celebrates its 10th anniversary, she told fans on Twitter that she would be “one million percent” on board with doing a “Glee” reboot. 

In 2014, a year before the show ended, Michele launched her singing career with “Louder,” a pop-influenced record preceded by the lead single “Cannonball.”

The Boston Globe gave her this rave review: “The Broadway veteran puts her mighty soprano through its paces on bouncy dance tracks, soaring ballads and midtempo pop tunes where she straddles the line, mostly comfortably, between Katy Perry and Celine Dion.”

Three years later, she released “Places,” which took her back to her Broadway roots with a more theatrical sound. To promote the album, she embarked on a sold-out North American tour, followed by a concert tour with Criss. 

In addition to her music career, Michele has stayed busy appearing on numerous TV shows, including “Scream Queens,” “The Mayor” and “Sons of Anarchy,” as well as publishing two books. In “Brunette Ambition,” she shares tips on beauty, fashion and inner strength, and “You First: Journal Your Way to Your Best Life” offers guided exercises and prompts to help readers improve various aspects of their life.

Fresh off performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and looking toward 2020, Michele is developing several TV and film productions.

“I’m passionate about creating and executive producing some of my own projects,” she says. “I also love to cook, and my dream is to write a cookbook someday.”

Proof of Michele’s culinary aspirations can be found on her Instagram, where she posts favorite recipes, cooking tips and more for her 5 million-plus followers. 

Michele believes in lending her star power to charitable causes she’s passionate about. A self-described animal lover, she has worked with PETA to expose animal cruelty and advocated against horse-drawn carriages in New York City. She also joined the organization in denouncing fur and, over the years, has supported the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, Habitat for Humanity and the Hole in the Wall Gang.

In her spare time – what little of it she can find – Michele enjoys hiking, practicing yoga and traveling. And South Florida is one of her favorite vacation spots, she says.

“My grandparents lived there, and my family used to visit them regularly,” Michele says. “Jonathan Groff and I have traveled to Boca Raton together, and I love visiting there, especially during the winter months. I’m planning a trip there again next year.” O

Photos by Ron Tom/ABC and Yu Tsai