🎄 Top 12 Christmas Guitar Songs & Carols (Tabs & Lessons Included)
The holidays are nearly here, and with them comes the annual chorus of classic Christmas songs and festive carols and what better way to share the joy than by learning to play these iconic tunes on your guitar?
We’ve compiled a definitive list of the 12 best Christmas guitar songs ever written, complete with details on the original keys, essential chords, and accessible tabs to help you master them.
Jingle Bells – Dean Martin
Arguably the most known Christmas song globally, Jingle Bells was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont. Interestingly, the song was originally titled “Open Horse, Open Sleigh” and is speculated to have honored sleigh races in his hometown.
Featured Version: Dean Martin’s 1966 recording from The Dean Martin Christmas Album.
Key: G Major.
Essential Chords: This version utilizes simple open chords but introduces dominant chords like A7 and D7, making it perfect for practicing basic jazz harmony.
Action: Jingle Bells Guitar Chords
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Despite competition, White Christmas holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling single in history. Written by American composer Irving Berlin around 1940, it remains a beloved holiday standard.
Featured Version: Bing Crosby’s 1942 version, which was the first public performance of the song.
Key: G Major.
Essential Chords: Uses standard scale chords but includes the highly recognizable Cm (iv) chord, a common feature in classic songwriting.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
Based on a 1939 story by Robert L. May, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was composed by Johnny Marks. The original recording peaked on the US Charts in 1949, leading to countless versions by groups like The Supremes and The Jackson 5.
Featured Version: The original #1 hit by Gene Autry.
Key: A Major.
Essential Chords: This is an excellent song for beginners, as it primarily uses the three main chords of a major scale: the I, IV, and V chords.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Traditional Carol
This highly popular traditional carol originated in Western England and dates back to the nineteenth century. It was popularized by composer and organist Arthur Warrell.
Featured Version: Traditional arrangement.
Key: C Major.
Essential Chords: One of the easiest Christmas songs to master. It uses an E7 chord to create a classical gravitational pull toward A minor.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Michael Bublé
Written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, this song was originally intended to encourage charitable giving during the Great Depression. The earliest recorded version was by banjoist Harry Reser in 1934.
Featured Version: Michael Bublé’s modern, highly popular 2011 rendition.
Key: C Major.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Michael Bublé
Introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 musical Meet Me in St. Louis, this song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and it was ranked the third most performed Christmas song by ASCP in 2007.
Featured Version: Michael Bublé’s 2011 version.
Key: G Major.
Essential Chords: Features an advanced bridge section that incorporates rich passing chords such as Cm6, B♭ Diminished, and F♯7.
Action: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Guitar Chords
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
Lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne wrote this song in 1945 during an intense California heatwave. While it never explicitly mentions Christmas, its association with holiday snow has cemented it as a popular Christmas standard.
Featured Version: The classic recording by Dean Martin.
Key: Charts available in multiple keys.
Action: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Guitar Chords
Frosty The Snowman – Gene Autry
Written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, Frosty the Snowman was first recorded by Gene Autry in 1950, detailing the magical tale of a snowman brought to life.
Featured Version: Gene Autry’s original recording.
Key: C Major.
Essential Chords: A fantastic tune for exploring secondary dominant chords (like C7 to F or A7 to Dm), which create harmonic movement between keys.
Action: Frosty The Snowman Guitar Chords
Deck The Hall – Traditional Carol
This traditional carol has its roots in 16th-century Wales, with English lyrics added by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in 1862.
Featured Version: Traditional arrangement.
Key: D Major.
Essential Chords: Very simple, using only one chord outside of the core scale, the E Major chord.
Action: Deck The Hall Guitar Chords
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé, The Christmas Song is widely recognized thanks to the iconic rendition by Nat King Cole, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.
Featured Version: Nat King Cole’s definitive recording.
Key: C Major.
Essential Chords: Excellent for intermediate players, as it heavily uses 7th chords to provide a rich, jazzy harmony and explore classic jazz cadences.
Action: The Christmas Song Guitar Chords
Silent Night – Bing Crosby
Silent Night is a true Christmas carol (distinguished from a song by its religious nature and earlier origin). It was written in 1818 by Austrian church organist Franz Xaver Gruber and priest Joseph Mohr.
Featured Version: Bing Crosby’s 1935 recording, which is the fourth best-selling single of all time.
Key: G Major.
Action: Silent Night Guitar Chords
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé
Written in 1951 by Meredith Wilson, this song is often associated with the Grand Hotel in Yarmouth, where the composer is believed to have written it.
Featured Version: Michael Bublé’s 2011 version, the first track on his Christmas album.
Key: E Major (Often played with a capo on the second fret to achieve a higher sound).
Action: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Guitar Chords
Conclusion: Start Playing Your Favorite Christmas Tunes
Christmas is a time for sharing joy, relaxation, and beautiful music. This list provides you with the best Christmas guitar songs and tunes written, covering a range of skills from beginner open chords to jazzier harmonies.
Use the provided tabs and chord charts to start learning today and share the magic of music with your loved ones this holiday season.
Gecko Guitars Team