Learn Christmas Songs on the Guitar!

It might only be November, but it's time to get ready and learn some Christmas classics on the guitar! Let's spread the holiday joy with music, and show off all the hard work you've been putting into your play. :)

The holiday season is great for generosity, laughter, and festivities. Playing music with your loved ones will make it all extra special!

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or more advanced guitar player or playing acoustic or electric guitar. You will likely find a Christmas song tutorial that works for you!

But ensure you start practicing your Christmas songs on time! Depending on your choices, you should start practicing right now.

🚨 Popular Christmas songs might seem easy to play on guitar. However, the most popular ones are quite tricky, especially if you want to explore fingerstyle arrangements for them!

You need time, consistency, and patience to learn to play Christmas songs on the guitar - just like any other song! If you want to sing along while playing, check out my tips on how to sing and play guitar at the same time. So, don't fret - I've got you covered. :) Here are the Christmas song lessons I recommend you explore!

5 Easy Christmas Songs on Guitar

🎄 Song #1 - Last Christmas

George Micheal is an incredible artist. This Christmas classic is so fun to sing along with - and it's so popular! You'll probably be hearing it everywhere during the Holiday season. :) Even if you're only a Grade 1 Beginner Guitar Player, you'll be able to play this tune!

You only need four chords to play Last Christmas. This song lesson keeps it all very simple, so even if you're new to guitar, you still have a chance to prepare for a solid Holiday performance!

🎄 Song #2 - Jingle Bells

You can play Jingle Bell on the guitar in loads of different ways. The chords are simple, so the melody! Most beginners should be able to nail it. But there is an F Chord in there, which you can replace with one of these F Chord Cheats if you still need to work on your full barre chord! ;)

Explore the free tutorial, and have some joy with this classic! Laughter is a fantastic thing to bring festive cheers. :)

🎄 Song #3 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

There are many versions of this song - the original chords are complicated. But my song tutorial shows you a simple version using only open chords - which is great for beginner guitar players!

If you're up for a challenge, or a more advanced player, take advantage of the version we learn towards the end of the lesson. That arrangement gives more of a jazz tune, and it's loads of fun to play!

🎄 Song #4 - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I've got two lessons for this Christmas classic! I recommend beginners start with the strumming option linked above: it uses easy chords (except for an F chord!) and a simple rhythm.

If you've completed Grade 2, give a go at this fingerstyle arrangement of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. It might be a bit tricky, but there's a free tab available to help you out - and you've got weeks ahead to practice! ;)

🎄Song #5 - Mull of Kintyre

Is this song the most important Paul McCartney Christmas classic? I'm not sure… but this song became the number-one hit in Britain when he released it! It pays tribute to the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where McCartney owns a High Park Farm.

It's a relatively easy tune to play, as it doesn't require many chords. Students from my Beginner Guitar Course should be able to play this song right in our Grade 2 - even before if they're feeling adventurous. :)

5 Intermediate & Advanced Christmas Songs on Guitar

🎄 Song #1 - Blue Christmas

Elvis was so incredible - and Blue Christmas is a fun song to cover, especially if you're up for some dramatic interpretation. :)

This song uses simple chords, but it does have barre chords, so ensure you're hip with those! This Elvis classic has a typical chord progression for Country music, so have a go at improvising if you're up for that!

🎄 Song #2 - All I Want For Christmas

Mariah Carey, our holiday season wouldn't be complete without this classic! :) This song is a crowd-pleaser, but you'll need a few advanced techniques to play it properly.

This song is perfect for more advanced guitar players, requiring a few barre chords and a diminished chord. In this lesson, we'll learn a few different ways to play the chords so you can pick which feels best for you!

🎄 Song #3 - Driving Home For Christmas

This Chris Rae tune is a great way to entertain your friends and family - a great one to play around the Christmas tree. :)

It has a lovely melody, and it's not too difficult - but it does require barre chords - no escape exit here. This tune is excellent practice for Grade 5+ guitar players.

🎄 Song #4 - Merry Christmas, Baby

An awesome live version of this song inspired me in this lesson! It's an incredible 12 Bar Blues in G and great practice for more advanced guitar players.

You'll learn different ways to play it. You can keep it simple or add some embellishments depending on your guitar skills! Start learning it early so you can develop embellishments. ;)

🎄Song #5 - Happy Christmas (War is Over)

John Lennon and Yoko are responsible for this all-time Christmas classic - a meaningful tune. It's a symbol of hope, especially during dark periods…

This song requires Barre chords, sus chords, and other cool chord extensions! It might be a tricky one to nail, but again! You have a few weeks ahead, and my free tutorial is easy to follow. :)

Learn More!

Explore my Songs page; you will find over 700 free song tutorials to play year-round, including loads more options for Christmas! And if you're really serious about learning them, remember you'll find verified tabs, chords, and lyrics that fit my tutorial with JustinGuitarTabs. :)

Go Further with My Christmas Songbook!

If you'd like to go further, check out the JustinGuitar Christmas songbook! It features 21 seasonal classics specially arranged for guitar, and I organized the songs into 4 groups:

🤭 Play on The Day: the easiest songs - not much preparation required!

👌 Learn In December: these songs are a bit harder, so start learning them earlier in the month.

😅 Learn in November: these are more difficult, demanding chords and a few quirks to practice.

💙 Chord Melody Arrangements in Tabs: these are for more advanced players who want to tackle fingerstyle guitar!

With its unique structure & timeline, you'll know when to start practicing before your holiday performance. It includes everything you need: chords, tabs, and lyrics, so your friends & family can sing along while you play!

🎄 Buy a hands-on edition of the JustinGuitar Christmas Songbook!