Looking for some easy Christmas guitar songs to learn? The big day is edging closer yet again, so why not get a head-start on putting together your festive repertoire?
I’ve put together a list of 19 easy Christmas songs that are sure to be a hit at the family gatherings this year. Merry Christmas everybody!
For each of these songs, I’ve included a link to the guitar chords. I’ve also tried to include a video lesson as well, with simplified versions of the songs that will be more beginner-friendly.
Easy Christmas Guitar Songs
1. Jingle Bells – Traditional
Let’s start off with arguably the best known of all Christmas songs! Jingle Bells is super-easy to learn and is sure to get the whole family singing along under the Christmas tree.
When it was originally written in 1857 it actually had no connection with Christmas at all! It wasn’t until the 1860s and 1870s that it came to become a festive holiday standard.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G C Am D7 D A7
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
Although it isn’t necessary, it is common to play this with a capo on the third fret. Not sure what a capo is? Learn more in my complete capo guide.
The video below teaches a simplified version of Jingle Bells which uses only 3 simple guitar chords. Perfect for beginners!
2. White Christmas – Irving Berlin
Wait, Irving who? That’s right, White Christmas was actually written in 1942 by Irving Berlin. Although you’re probably most familiar with the version later released by Bing Crosby!
Having sold over 50 million physical copies worldwide, the Crosby rendition of this Christmas song is the world’s best-selling single of all time.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G Gsus4 Am D D7 C G7 Cm Em
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
The song is a little harder to learn on guitar than Jingle Bells above as it contains quite a few more chords, and also incorporates some fairly quick chord changes.
Overall it should still be very easy to master for most! But if you’re really new to the guitar you might like to check out the simplified version of White Christmas below which uses some easier beginner-friendly guitar chords.
3. Silent Night – Franz Xaver Gruber
This is another of the classic Christmas songs which you are probably also aware of due to Bing Crosby’s popular version from 1935.
Silent Night was originally composed in 1881 by an Austrian primary school teacher (Franz Xaver Gruber) but has been covered by many bands and singers since.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G D D7 G7 C Em
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
Silent Night is a fairly slow song, and contains few chords making it another of the very straightforward Christmas songs to pick up on guitar.
If you’re just starting out on guitar I have also added a video below which will teach you a simplified version of Silent Night using just 3 simple guitar chords.
4. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Traditional
Another of the classic Christmas carols is We Wish You A Merry Christmas. This traditional Christmas song dates back to the nineteenth century when carollers were gifted treats such as figgy pudding by wealthy English people.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : C
- Chords Used : C F D G E7 Am Em
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
While the first three songs in this list have all been in the key of G, this one switches it up and is played in C.
The only really tricky guitar chord for beginners here is that F Major barre chord. You could change the key to use an easier-to-finger chord, but you’ll need to master it at some point, so why not now?
If you’d prefer to learn this via the wonders of a video lesson, here’s a great version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas from Justin Guitar!
5. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – Johnny Marks
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is a brilliant upbeat and easy song that you absolutely must learn if you have kids!
It was originally penned in 1949 by Johnny Marks and is based on a 1939 story of the same name. It was recorded and released by Gene Autry in 1949 and hit the number one spot on the US charts for Christmas that year.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : C Bm7 Am7 G Em A A7 D7 D
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
We’re going back to the key of G for this one, and although there’s a good number of chords, they’re all very easy!
The hardest section is the intro (which you can totally avoid!), but once past that it’s very plain sailing, with the chorus containing just 2 simple guitar chords!
Here’s a great video lesson that shows off the chords and strumming patterns in real-time.
6. Joy To The World – Traditional
Another of the traditional Christmas carols, this song was written way back in 1719 by an English minister named Isaac Watts. Perfect for all you carollers!
- Difficulty : Very Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G D C
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
As far as Xmas guitar songs go, they really don’t come much easier than this one! It features just 3 very simple, beginner-friendly chords. There aren’t many other 3 chord Christmas songs in this list!
Here’s a great video lesson that teaches Joy To The World in all of its glory.
If you’re feeling super-adventurous why not check out the incredible guitar instrumental version of this by the great Steve Morse. You can find it on the Christmas guitar album Merry Axemas.
7. Last Christmas – Wham!
Originally released in 1984, Last Christmas is one of those festive pop hits that has truly become synonymous with the season.
The song had regularly found itself at number two in the Christmas charts, until 2021 when it finally landed that elusive number one spot.
- Difficulty : Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : D
- Chords Used : C Am Am7 Dm G G7
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
Last Christmas is very straightforward to learn on guitar. The version I have linked to above uses a capo at the 2nd fret. You can of course play it without capo if you don’t have one, the key will just be a whole step lower.
The video below shows an even easier four-chord version of Last Christmas which will be perfect for new players. He plays it with the capo at the 4th fret to make it easier to sing, but you can keep it at the 2nd, or not use one at all if you wish.
8. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
This up-tempo Christmas standard was released by Mariah Carey in 1994 and is the best-selling Christmas song by a female artist of all time.
All I Want For Christmas Is You is also one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 17 million copies sold to date.
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
If you want to play this guitar as close to the original as possible, then it is a little more tricky than others on this list due to the number of chords involved.
However! Beginners can check out the excellent video below which will teach you a simplified version of the track using fewer and easier guitar chords.
9. Deck The Halls – Traditional
Let’s check out another of the traditional Christmas carols which we can easily learn this festive season to help wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Deck the Halls dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest songs in this list. Although the English lyrics were not written until 1862.
- Difficulty : Beginner
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : D
- Chords Used : D Bm A7 A E E7 G
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
The song features some fairly easy chords (with the exception of maybe that B Minor barre). Although they are quite simple to play, there are some pretty fast chord changes involved, so it might take a little time to get those down.
If you’re new to guitar and struggling with the version I’ve linked to above, why not give the video below a shot. This rendition uses a capo at the second fret and simplifies the guitar chords to make the song a little easier.
10. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon
Happy Xmas was the 7th single release by John Lennon outside of his work with the Beatles. It was released in 1971 when it reached number four in the UK charts.
A little trivia for you is that as well as being a festive standard, it is also a song protesting the Vietnam war. It’s also arguably the most recognisable of the acoustic guitar Christmas songs.
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : A
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
This song is a little more tricky than some of the others in the list as it does feature a few awkward chords such as a B Minor barre. There are also a couple of stretches that beginner players might find difficult.
Check out the excellent video tutorial from YouTube legend Marty Schwartz below.
11. Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano
This traditional Spanish Christmas song was written in 1970 by Puerto Rican songwriter José Feliciano during a period when he was feeling homesick over the festive period.
Feliz Navidad is one of the most downloaded festive songs in the USA and Canada, with close to one million downloads in total!
- Difficulty : Very Easy
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G C D Em
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
It is one of the easiest tracks to learn in this list as it features only 4 simple chords that are repeated in the same order throughout almost the whole song.
Check out the video below for an easy walkthrough of Feliz Navidad.
12. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Jingle Bell Rock was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957 and has gone on to become one of the best known electric guitar Christmas songs.
Many artists have covered the track over the years including Michael Buble, Hall & Oates, and Neil Diamond to name a few. However, the original release by Helms is considered the definitive version.
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : D
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
The song is a little more advanced than many of the other songs in this list, so the lesson linked above with guitar tabs is probably going to be more suited to intermediate players.
However! If you’re still new to guitar, here’s a video you can check out which will teach an easier version of the song with beginner-friendly chords.
13. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Johnny Marks (who also wrote Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!) penned this Christmas song back in 1958.
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree was recorded and released in the same year by Brenda Lee and has since sold over 25 million copies worldwide. I don’t know about you, but every time I hear it I’m transported back to the party scene in Home Alone!
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : Ab
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
Like Jingle Bell Rock above, this song contains quite a number of guitar chords (including the dreaded barre chord!), so it’s probably one that total beginners might struggle with.
But never fear newbies, I have your back! Below you’ll find another great video lesson that teaches a more beginner-friendly version of the song.
14. Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
Another radio station favorite is this classic 1988 hit from Chris Rea. Originally released as a b-side in 1986, Chris re-recorded and released Driving Home For Christmas two years later.
It’s one of those Christmas guitar songs that seems to gain in popularity every year.
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : A
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
The version I have linked to above uses a good number of different chords, including 3 or 4 barre chords.
The video lesson below by JustinGuitar still uses those barre chords, but does attempt to simplify parts of the song for newer players.
15. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Jackson 5
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town was originally written in 1934, but you are probably most familiar with the version by The Jackson 5 from 1970.
Many other artists have covered the track including The Supremes, Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen to name a few.
- Difficulty : Beginner
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G C Em Am7 D7 G7 A7 D
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords Lesson
The good news is that this Christmas classic is very easy to learn on guitar, featuring only a few simple open guitar chords.
Check out the YouTube video below for a great explanation of how to play the song.
16. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
This rock and roll holiday classic was first recorded in 1948 by Doyle O’Dell, but the most well-known version is undoubtedly by Elvis Presley from 1964.
Blue Christmas is a story of unrequited love over the festive season.
- Difficulty : Beginner
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : E
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
On guitar, this track features a number of easy chords, although be aware that it does use a couple of barre chords.
If you’re just starting out on guitar and would like to avoid those tricky barre chords, here is a great video lesson with an easier version of the song.
17. Frosty The Snowman – Gene Autry
Another winner in this list of easy Christmas guitar songs that is sure to go down well with the kids is Frosty the Snowman. This track was originally recorded by Gene Autry in 1950.
Autry recorded this song after looking to match his success with his other seasonal hit ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’.
- Difficulty : Beginner
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : G D7 C D Bm Am Dbdim Em
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
Frosty the Snowman is fairly easy to learn on guitar, with just the B Minor barre chord perhaps proving tricky for newer players.
If the barre chord does give you a little trouble, you can check out the simplified version of the song in the tutorial video below, however!
18. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland
My partner would have killed me if I’d left this one out! This most gorgeous of the best Christmas songs made its debut in the 1944 musical ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’ starring Judy Garland.
Another well-known version of this song was later recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1948. Add this easy Christmas song to your repertoire and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
- Difficulty : Intermediate
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : G
- Chords Used : Numerous
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
There’s a good number of chords to learn for this song, including a couple of barre chords. But the track is a slow one, which should make it still a fairly easy Christmas guitar song to pick up.
Below I have posted a great fingerstyle version of the song which has been arranged specifically for beginners. If you don’t feel comfortable with fingerstyle yet, you can always just strum the guitar chords to make it easier!
19. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
The final easy Christmas song in our list is also commonly called ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’, and was written back in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé.
The Christmas Song was first recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946, but was re-recorded several times until what is regarded as the definitive version in 1961.
- Difficulty : Advanced
- Tuning : EADBGE
- Key : C
- Chords Used : Numerous!
- Lesson : Click For Guitar Chords
This tune is probably not one that beginners will want to attempt, but I wanted to include it at the end of the list anyway as it is such a classic track.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the tutorial video below has an excellent, jazzy rendition of the song which is absolutely delicious. Definitely not one of the easy Christmas songs in the list, but super-impressive if you can nail it. Check out the guitar tabs and make Santa Claus proud!
Hope you found a good few easy Christmas songs to add to your setlist this year. Happy Holidays and have a Merry Christmas!
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Best Christmas Songs FAQ
What is the EASIEST Christmas Song On Guitar?
Joy To The World is probably the easiest christmas song on guitar as it uses just 3 simple chords – G,D, and C major. All players apart from absolute beginners should be able to learn it in a matter of minutes!
What Is The Most Christmassy Song?
The most Christmassy song in this list is probably Jingle Bells. It requires a few more guitar chords to learn, but everybody will know the words so you are guaranteed to get people singing along beside the Christmas tree!
What Christmas Song Has A Guitar Solo?
Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms is a great rockabilly-style festive song that features a fun and simple intro guitar solo. Everyone knows the lick, and it’s easy enough that almost anyone should be able to quickly learn it.
For even more festive guitar solos, check out my list of 7 Xmas Guitar albums – you’ll find a link just above!
