We’ve all got our favourite Christmas songs… whether it’s traditional “round the fire” style singalongs, the ‘80s pop ballads that still top charts to this day, or… something a little err, different. This Christmas, why not impress the family gathering (or make it easier to endure) by rocking out your favourite festive tunes?
To that end, we’ve prepared a list of easy Christmas guitar songs to get you ready for yuletide riffing. We’ve included classics, ballads, and some more “out there” tracks to keep it interesting and give your Xmas a little spice!
In a hurry?
Here are the top five songs for you to learn:
- “Jingle Bells” by James Lord Pierpont: Cliché central, but why not learn it and make it your own? Play it with holiday fervour on an acoustic. or crank up the gain on your electric and make Christmas a little more metal
- “Merry Xmas (War is over)” by John Lennon: A classic from the legend that is John Lennon, this is super easy to play and sing along with
- “Felix Navidad” by Jose Feliciano: Always fun to add in a little Latin flavour, this joyous and upbeat song will get everyone going. If you want it a little more interesting… then sing it like Skeletor
- “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey: If you don’t eat any cheese at Christmas time then this song will more than make up for it. It has some tricky chords that are good to learn, but all in all – simple fun!
- “Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard/Richard Bernhard Smith: A tune that will be relentlessly stuck in your head, “Winter Wonderland”’s easy chord sequence is quick to pick up. It’s just a shame that climate change has removed all prospect of an actual Winter Wonderland
The best Christmas gifts for guitarists
Looking to gift the guitarist in your life something special? Or want to buy something for yourself? Here are our favourite guitar-related gifts, including larger gifts and stocking fillers.
First, you need the chords!
Before diving into learning these Christmas guitar songs, aspiring guitarists need to have a basic understanding of playing chords and strumming patterns. If you have the basics mastered already, feel free to skip ahead!
While some of the songs on our list are suitable for beginners, others may require a bit more experience.
To start, beginners should focus on mastering the basic open chords, such as G major, C major, D major, E major, E minor, and A minor. These chords form the foundation of many popular songs, including the ones in our Christmas repertoire. Here are the chord charts to help you learn:
Additionally, players should be familiar with common strumming patterns such as downstrokes, upstrokes, and alternating patterns. This will help bring rhythm and groove to your playing.
As for ability level, beginners with basic chord knowledge can easily tackle these songs. If there’s any part of a song that has an awkward chord or chord change, simplify the chord bar by removing some notes to make it easier on your hand. It might not sound exactly right, but that doesn’t matter when you’re belting out Christmas bops.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you find some songs challenging at first. With dedication and consistent practice, you’ll be strumming your way through these festive tunes in no time.
Easy Christmas guitar songs
1. “Jingle Bells” by James Lord Pierpont
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: G, D, C
“Jingle Bells” may be a cliché Christmas tune, but its simple chord progression makes it an easy one for beginners to master. With only three chords and a catchy tune, you’ll have the whole family singing along in no time. Just avoid repeating it too many times to preserve your sanity.
To play “Jingle Bells” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum it four times
- Move to the D chord and strum it twice
- Next, switch to the C chord and play it once
- Repeat this sequence for each line of the song
To spice things up a bit, try playing Jingle Bells with a shuffle or reggae-style rhythm for a unique flair on this classic tune.
2. “Merry Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon
Key: A Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: A, D, E
Written by the legendary John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1971, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a Christmas classic. The song features a simple chord progression that beginners can easily pick up, making it a great addition to your holiday repertoire. Undeniably, Christmas hasn’t really started until you’ve heard this, it’s that good.
To play “Merry Xmas” on guitar:
- Begin with the A chord and strum it four times
- Move to the D chord and strum twice
- Next, switch to the E chord for one strum
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
For an added challenge, try adding some fingerpicking to really bring out the melody.
3. “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: G, C, D7, Am
This lively tune brings a little Latin flavour to your Christmas celebrations. With its upbeat tempo and simple chords, “Feliz Navidad” is easy for beginners to learn and impress their friends and family with.
To play “Feliz Navidad” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord, strumming it twice
- Move to the C chord for one strum
- Next, switch to the D7 chord for one strum
- Finally, play the Am chord and finish with two strums of G
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
Go one step further by adding some palm muting or percussive hits on your strings for a more dynamic sound.
4. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: G, Cadd9, Em7, D/F#
This modern Christmas classic has a bit of a tricky chord progression, making it better suited to intermediate players. But don’t let that scare you off – with a little practice, you’ll be rocking out to Mariah Carey’s hit song in no time.
To play “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on guitar:
- Begin with the G chord and strum it four times
- Switch to Cadd9 and strum twice
- Move to Em7 and strum once
- Finally, play the D/F# chord to finish off
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
For a more advanced challenge, include some hammer-ons and pull-offs between chords.
5. “Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard/Richard Bernhard Smith
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, A7, Dm, G7
“Winter Wonderland” is a classic holiday tune, and thankfully, it’s easy to learn! With a simple chord progression, it’s a great song to practise your strumming patterns with.
To play “Winter Wonderland” on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum twice
- Move to the A7 chord for one strum
- Switch back to C and strum once more
- Next, play the Dm chord for two strums
- Finally, end with a G7 chord
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
Once you’ve mastered the basics, why not try playing “Winter Wonderland” with a swing rhythm or adding in some fingerpicking between chord changes?
6. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” by Wizzard
Key: D Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: D, G, A
This cheerful holiday anthem from Wizzard is a festive favourite. Its upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it a joy to play and sing along to.
To play “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” on guitar:
- Start with the D chord and strum four times
- Switch to the G chord and strum twice
- Finally, play the A chord to finish off
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
7. “So Here It Is Merry Christmas” by Slade
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: G, C, D
Slade’s Christmas hit is a must-learn for any festive guitarist. The song features a simple yet catchy chord progression. It’s a great one to belt out, too!
To play “So Here It Is Merry Christmas” on guitar:
- Begin with the G chord and strum three times
- Move to the C chord and strum once
- Switch to the D chord for one strum
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
8. “Last Christmas” by Wham!
Key: D Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: D, Bm, Em, A
Christmas is a time we generally spend together. But not in Wham!’s case, as the festive season brings space to reflect on messy breakups and broken hearts. So if you’re yearning for meaning in a loveless existence, why not give this poppy ballad a try?
To play “Last Christmas” on guitar:
- Start with the D chord and strum four times
- Switch to the Bm chord and strum twice
- Move to the Em chord and strum once
- Finally, play the A chord to finish off
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
9. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: C, G, Am, F
The Band Aid charity single is a poignant holiday classic, and it’s ideal for guitarist who want something a little more challenging. Its chord progression is a little more complex, making it suitable for intermediate players.
To play “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” on guitar:
- Begin with the C chord and strum four times
- Move to the G chord and strum twice
- Switch to the Am chord and strum once
- Finally, play the F chord and finish off
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
10. “Frosty the Snowman” by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, F, G7
This jolly song about a snowman coming to life is a winter favourite among children and adults alike. The simple chord progression makes it a good choice for beginner guitarists.
To play “Frosty the Snowman” on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum twice
- Move to the F chord and strum once
- Switch to the G7 chord and strum once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
11. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry and The Pinafores
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, F, G, G7
This classic Christmas tune about the most famous reindeer of all is fun to play and sing along to. Its basic chord progression is easy for beginners to learn.
To play ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum four times
- Move to the F chord and strum twice
- Switch to the G chord for one strum
- Finally, strum the G7 chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
12. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, G, D7, F
A joy to play and sing, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” has a straightforward chord progression that makes it suitable for beginners. If you want to make it a bit more advanced – and funky – play along to the Jackson 5 version and add in some rhythmic strumming to match the bassline.
To play “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum four times
- Move to the G chord and strum twice
- Switch to the D7 chord and strum once
- Finally, strum the F chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
13. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: G, D, C, Am
This festive tune is a little more complex, making it a good choice for intermediate guitarists. Its lively tempo and fun lyrics make it a Christmas favourite. Just make sure to stay a safe distance from your Christmas tree – those things are fire hazards, you know!
To play “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum twice
- Move to the D chord and strum once
- Switch to the C chord and strum once
- Finally, strum the Am chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
14. “Merry Blah Blah Blah” by Lordi
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: C, F, G, Am
Lordi’s “Merry Blah Blah Blah” is a unique spin on the festive genre. If you’re daring enough to take on this song, we recommend that you have an intermediate-level skillset. It’s a little more complex in its chord progression, making it a good fit for intermediate guitarists.
To play “Merry Blah Blah Blah” on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum twice
- Move to the F chord and strum once
- Switch to the G chord and strum once
- Finally, strum the Am chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
15. “A Spaceman Came Travelling” by Chris de Burgh
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: G, C, D, Em
This unique song tells the story of a spaceman who travels to Earth and witnesses the nativity. With quite a complex chord progression, it’s a good fit for intermediate guitarists. A product of Chris de Burgh – or the ‘monobrowed purveyor of ultimate filth’ as called by comedian Bill Bailey, this song is a trippy and fresh perspective on the traditional maxims of Christmas.
To play “A Spaceman Came Travelling” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum twice
- Move to the C chord and strum once
- Switch to the D chord and strum once
- Finally, strum the Em chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
16. “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
Key: A Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: A, D, C, B, E
“Christmas Wrapping” is another ’80s favourite that still haunts Christmas soundtracks each year. A great alternative Christmas ballad – or maybe the most alternative ‘mainstream’ Christmas ballad! – this festive track has a steady beat and open, easy chords that any beginner can quickly master.
To play “Christmas Wrapping” on guitar:
- Start with an A, D, C, B intro – there are 6 bars of A before one bar of D, C, and B each
- After that, the chord progression goes A, D, C, B, and repeats for the verses
- For the bridge, you’ll just alternate between A and E and match the vocal repetition of A and E
17. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Jule Styne
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, F, G7
Want to practise your strumming patterns? “Let It Snow!” is in the easiest key ever and only features three chords – what’s not to love?
To play “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum twice
- Switch to the F chord and strum once
- Finally, end with a G7 chord
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song.
18. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: G, C, D, Em
A festive classic, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is just a classic that makes you feel all warm and jolly inside just from the first few bars. When the night is winding down, this is a great one to play and bring everyone together!
To play “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum twice
- Move to the C chord and strum once
- Switch to the D chord and strum once
- Lastly, strum the Em chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
19. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
Key: A Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: A, D, E, F#m
For guitarists, this is a little more challenging than other Christmas classics as it includes barre chords! But once you’ve mastered it, it’s a great one for everyone to sing along to.
To play “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on guitar:
- Start with the A chord and strum four times
- Move to the D chord and strum twice
- Switch to the E chord and strum once
- Finally, play the F#m chord
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
20. “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord” by Boney M
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: G, C, D
Now for something a bit more upbeat. Boney M’s Christmas classic is a fun piece for beginners to learn, courtesy of its simple and repetitive chord pattern.
To play ‘”Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum four times
- Move to the C chord and strum twice
- Switch to the D chord and strum once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
21. “The Little Drummer Boy” by Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, and Katherine Kennicott Davis
Key: C Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: C, F, G
This classic Christmas song is quite straightforward in its chord progression, making it ideal for beginners.
To play ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ on guitar:
- Start with the C chord and strum twice
- Move to the F chord and strum once
- Switch to the G chord and strum once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
22. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Beginner
Chords used: G, C, D
Why not pick up your guitar and go knocking around your neighbours’ houses this festive season? A carol singer’s favourite, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a must-know for any Christmas repertoire, with a simple and repetitive chord progression that’s straightforward for beginners.
To play “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” on guitar:
- Start with the G chord and strum four times
- Move to the C chord and strum twice
- Lastly, strum the D chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
23. “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley
Key: E Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
Chords used: E, A, B7
Get your hips shakin’ and your knees wobblin’ with this Elvis Presley hit. His unique take on “Blue Christmas” features a B7 chord, which is great for beginners and intermediate players who want to push themselves a little more.
To play “Blue Christmas” on guitar:
- Start with the E chord and strum twice
- Move to the A chord and strum once
- Lastly, strum the B7 chord once
- Repeat this pattern for each line of the song
Are these songs for acoustic or electric guitar?
Both acoustic and electric guitars are suitable for playing these Christmas tunes.
While the set-up might be lengthier for an electric guitar, the tonal range and impact you can achieve with an amplifier can provide a unique rendition of these holiday classics.
On the other hand, an acoustic guitar offers the convenience of immediate playability, perfect for impromptu carol sessions.
It’s important to note that not all of these songs were written specifically for the guitar.
However, with the given chord progressions, they can be easily adapted to the versatile instrument, allowing both novice and experienced players to come up with their own variations of the song.
FAQs
What is the easiest Christmas song to play on a guitar?
The easiest Christmas song to play on a guitar is “Jingle Bells”. Its simple chord progression of G, C, and D makes it a great starting point for beginners learning holiday tunes.
What Christmas songs sound good on guitar?
Many Christmas songs sound fantastic on guitar, especially those with memorable melodies and chord progressions. Some popular choices include “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, “Feliz Navidad”, and “Merry Xmas (War is Over)”. These tunes lend themselves beautifully to the guitar’s rich, warm tones, adding a touch of magic to any festive gathering.
What is the most Christmassy chord?
The most Christmassy chord could be considered the major 7th chord. It has a warm, inviting sound that fits perfectly with the cosy and joyful atmosphere of the festive season.
Final thoughts
The festive season offers endless opportunities to pick up your guitar and strum along to some timeless Christmas classics. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, these songs with their varied chord progressions can enhance your repertoire and spread Christmas cheer.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t shy away from tackling songs that seem a bit challenging at first. If you’re just starting your journey with the guitar, you might also find our article on Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners quite helpful. Have a merry musical Christmas!
0 Comments