Easy piano Christmas songs for beginners to learn
Music has a special way of bringing people together. And Christmas is the perfect time to gather friends and family around the piano for a joyful sing-along. Christmas songs are so much fun to play and sing! The only tricky part is that once you start playing one song, everyone will want to hear another, and then another. So, it’s good to be ready.
Here is a list of the 12 easiest Christmas songs to play on the piano:
1: Let It Snow
There are some movies and music that you just expect to enjoy every Christmas. For me, one of those is Vince Guaraldi’s amazing album called A Charlie Brown Christmas.
I really love Vince Guaraldi’s music. His style is gentle and full of feeling. During the holidays, I often listen to this Christmas album over and over again (I’m not kidding!). The album has many great songs and wonderful arrangements, but my very favorite is “Christmas Time Is Here.”
This song was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas that came out in 1965.
What I like most about this song is that it feels a little sad but also warm and sweet—just like how Christmas can feel sometimes. It’s a great song for beginners because it uses some chords that are a bit different from the usual ones, which makes it a good way to learn about harmony.
But if you’re just starting out, don’t worry about playing the chords yet. Just try playing the root notes with your left hand and listen closely to the sounds of the harmony.
3:“The Christmas Song” – A Holiday Classic That’s Easy to Love
The Christmas Song” was written in 1945 by two friends, Robert Wells and Mel Tormé. It starts with one of the most famous lines in all of Christmas music:
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”
As soon as you hear those words, you know it’s Christmas time! The song brings a warm and cozy feeling, like sitting by a fire with your family.
The most famous version of this song was sung by Nat King Cole. In 1946, he recorded it twice. The second version had soft strings in the background, and even though the record company didn’t like the idea at first, the song became a huge hit on the pop and R&B charts. Everyone loved it!
Nat King Cole had a voice that was smooth like velvet. But he wasn’t just a great singer—he was also an amazing piano player. This song gave him the chance to show off both his beautiful singing and his talented piano playing. It fit his style perfectly.
“The Christmas Song” is a little fancier than many other holiday songs when it comes to chords and harmony. But don’t worry—even if you’re just learning how to play music, this song can be very simple. You can play just the basic notes, and it will still sound lovely.
That’s why it’s a great choice for beginners. You can start easy, and then each year, you can add more to it as you get better. One day, you might even play it with the same smooth style as Nat King Cole!
4: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – A Joyful Christmas Song
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a very old song. It was written way back in 1739 by two important people named Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. They helped start a Christian church called Methodism. The tune we know today was added later. A man named William Hayman Cummings used music from a song by the famous composer Mendelssohn, and it worked perfectly!
When you listen to the music, you can hear the beautiful, rich sounds from Mendelssohn. It’s one of the prettiest songs to hear sung by a choir—that’s a big group of singers. The notes and chords are smooth and full, but even beginners can try playing it using easy, single notes in the left hand for the bass.
But the main reason I picked this song is because of the Vince Guaraldi version. If you haven’t heard it yet, you should! It’s amazing how he makes the song swing—he adds a jazzy rhythm that makes the song feel fresh and fun.
Don’t worry if you can’t play it like Vince Guaraldi. Even many great piano players can’t copy his exact sound. The fun part is listening to how he changes the rhythm and feel. It’s a great way to learn how you can make an old song sound new and exciting.
So go ahead—listen to it, tap your foot to the beat, and enjoy the joy of the music!
5:Carol of the Bells: A Christmas Song Like No Other
There aren’t many Christmas songs that feel big or dramatic—but “Carol of the Bells” is one of them. It’s not your usual sweet and happy carol. This one sounds powerful, even a little mysterious. That’s what makes it so special.
The music for “Carol of the Bells” comes from a very old Ukrainian song called “Shchedryk.” A man named Mykola Leontovych wrote the music back in 1916. Later on, in 1936, Peter Wilhousky added the English words that many people sing today.
Over the years, many musicians have made their own versions of this song. One of the most famous is by John Williams, and it was used in the movie Home Alone. You might recognize it from there!
What makes “Carol of the Bells” stand out is that it feels darker and more serious than most Christmas songs. Instead of being soft and cozy, it can sound a little spooky or even exciting, depending on how it’s played. That’s why many movie composers like using it.
The rhythm of the song is also very interesting. Most songs are easy to tap your foot to, but this one has a special pattern. It’s mostly in a 3/4 time, like a waltz, but there’s something called a 3-against-2 rhythm inside it. That means three beats are played in the same time as two beats. This is called a polyrhythm, and it makes the song feel like it’s pulling in two directions at once. It’s a fun way to make music feel more exciting.
So, while most Christmas songs feel warm and cheerful, “Carol of the Bells” feels bold, mysterious, and a little magical. That’s why so many people love it—even after all these years!
6:Frosty the Snowman – A Song Full of Magic and Fun!
Christmas is a special time when everyone, no matter how old they are, can be a little silly and have some fun. And there’s no better song to bring out that silly feeling than “Frosty the Snowman.” It’s a little goofy, a little childish, and a whole lot of fun—and that’s exactly why we all love it.
This joyful song was written in 1950 by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson. That same year, two famous singers made recordings of it. One version was by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys, and the other was by Jimmy Durante. Both became Christmas favorites!
“Frosty the Snowman” is a song full of imagination. It tells the story of a snowman who comes to life when someone puts a magic silk hat on his head. Isn’t that fun to imagine? A snowman laughing and dancing through town with the children!
The main reason I love this song is because it’s just so much fun. But it also teaches us something cool in music. It has a part called the ii-V-I chord progression, which is something many beginner musicians learn when they’re starting out. So, you’re not just having fun—you’re learning music too!
In the end, “Frosty the Snowman” is more than just a song. It’s a reminder that Christmas is full of wonder, magic, and joy. And that sometimes, being a little silly is the best part of all.
7:Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
From one fun and happy song to another! “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is the perfect song to play on Christmas Eve. Kids love it because it gets them excited for Christmas Day—and some even hope to catch Santa Claus putting presents under the tree!
Did you know that Rudolph is a make-believe reindeer? He was made up by a man named Robert L. May way back in 1939. Since then, Rudolph’s story has been told in TV shows, movies, and lots of books. Everyone loves the red-nosed reindeer who helps Santa on his sleigh ride.
If you want to play “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on the piano, here’s a tip: just use single notes in your left hand. No need to worry about hard chords right now. The melody (the part you sing) is the most important part. So, try to play it nice and clear!
You can also play a simple bassline with your left hand to make the song sound fuller. Try using some small steps (called chromatic steps) to add a little magic and excitement to your playing.
8: White Christmas
“White Christmas” is not just any Christmas song. It’s one of the most famous songs in the world—not just for the holidays, but of all time!
The song was written in 1942 by a man named Irving Berlin. He wrote it for a movie called Holiday Inn. Then the well-known singer Bing Crosby sang it, and people everywhere fell in love with the song.
Soon, “White Christmas” won many big awards, like a Grammy Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was also a huge hit on the music charts, staying at number one for 11 weeks. Over time, the song sold more than 50 million copies, making it the best-selling song of all time when it comes to physical copies like records and CDs.
There are two big reasons why I think beginners should learn to play “White Christmas”:
Irving Berlin was one of the greatest songwriters in American history. He wrote many famous songs that are still loved today. Learning his music helps you understand what makes a song special.
Just like “The Christmas Song,” this song is one that will stay in your heart forever. If you learn to play it now, you’ll be able to play it every Christmas for the rest of your life. That’s something really special.
9:O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
O Tannenbaum” is a very old German song. The word “Tannenbaum” means fir tree, not Christmas tree. At first, this song wasn’t even about Christmas at all! It was written to talk about how the fir tree stays green all year long—even in the winter. Because of that, people saw it as a sign of strength and hope.
Later, people started singing it at Christmastime, and it became known as “O Christmas Tree.” Over the years, the lyrics were translated into English, but the main idea stayed the same—praising the tree for its beauty and its strong, never-changing nature. The most popular version of the lyrics was written by Ernst Anschütz in 1824, but the tune may be even older—maybe from the 1500s!
If you’re just starting to play the piano, this is a great song to learn. You can play simple chords with your left hand (called triads) and a clear melody with your right hand. It’s not too hard and sounds really nice.
One cool thing about this song is the music has a slightly sad or serious feeling, even though it’s a Christmas song. That’s because, instead of using a major chord that sounds happy, it sometimes uses a minor chord that sounds softer or a bit more emotional. It gives the song a special touch.
And of course, if you haven’t heard Vince Guaraldi’s version, you should listen to it! It’s soft, jazzy, and really peaceful. He makes the song sound magical.
10: Silent Night – A Beautiful Christmas Song
Silent Night” is one of the most famous and peaceful Christmas songs in the world. It was written a long time ago in 1818 by a man named Franz Gruber, and the words (called lyrics) were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816. When they put the words and music together, it created a song that people still love today.
Did you know? For many years, people didn’t know who really wrote the song. Some even thought it was made by famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, or Haydn! But in 1995, a very old piece of paper was found that showed Joseph Mohr wrote the words, and Franz Gruber made the music.
The song is written in a rhythm called 3/4 time, which means it has three beats in each measure. That’s the same rhythm as a waltz! If you’re learning piano, this song is a great place to start. You can play simple chords by using just three notes, one on each beat, and it will sound soft and beautiful under the melody.
The melody of “Silent Night” is very gentle and emotional. After you learn the notes, you can try playing it in a slow and flowing way, like 6/8 time, to make it sound even more expressive. You can even slow down at the end of each line to give it a peaceful feeling.
With a little practice, “Silent Night” can become a very touching and impressive piece to play — especially at Christmas!
11: Joy to the World – A Happy Christmas Song
Joy to the World” is a very old and well-loved Christmas song. It was first written in 1719 by a man named Isaac Watts, who wrote many hymns (church songs). The version we sing today was made better in 1848 by Lowell Mason, who gave it the beautiful melody we know now.
This song is one of the most popular Christmas songs in North America. Since the 1900s, it has been printed and sung more than almost any other holiday song. That shows how much people love it!
I really enjoy playing this song because the melody flows smoothly. The notes go up and down like a gentle wave. Even though it sounds beautiful and full, it’s actually easy to play, especially for beginners. That’s because the melody is a lot like playing a major scale – a simple pattern of notes many people learn first.
Here’s something interesting: “Joy to the World” is often written in a 2/4 time signature. This means there are 2 beats in every measure. It gives the music a strong and bouncy feel, like marching. The beat goes strong–weak, strong–weak, which helps the music sound exciting and full of energy. In other songs that use 4/4 time, the pattern can be strong–weak–weak–weak, which is softer and more relaxed.
This joyful tune is not just fun to sing and play, but it also teaches us about music timing, melody, and how songs are written.
“Joy to the World” is a wonderful Christmas song that brings happiness and smiles to many people during the holiday season. It’s a great song for anyone who loves music, especially if you are just starting to learn!
12:Jingle Bells: A Song Full of Cheer
It might surprise you, but the famous song “Jingle Bells” wasn’t made for Christmas at all! When it was first written, it had nothing to do with the holiday season.
The song was originally called “The One Horse Open Sleigh” and was written in 1857 by a man named James Lord Pierpont. He wrote it about sleigh races that took place in Medford, Massachusetts. People used to race in horse-drawn sleighs through the snow, and the song was meant to capture that fun.
Later, in the 1860s, the song started to become popular during wintertime, especially around Christmas. Over time, people began to connect it with Christmas celebrations. In fact, in 1889, “Jingle Bells” was one of the first songs ever recorded on an old Edison cylinder — but sadly, that recording is now lost.
No matter how the song began, today “Jingle Bells” is known around the world as a happy Christmas tune. People of all ages love to sing it, and it brings joy and laughter every year.
What makes “Jingle Bells” so special is its catchy melody. No matter how you play it, everyone knows the tune right away. You can play it on the piano using just simple notes in the left hand, or with octaves, chords, or even Alberti bass if you like. You can even play the melody using both hands at the same time! No matter how it’s played, it always sounds like Christmas.
“Jingle Bells” is more than just a song — it’s a feeling of fun, snowy adventures, and holiday cheer. And that’s why it has become one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time.
Conclusion
Christmas is a special time of year that feels a little magical, not because of big meals or shiny, expensive gifts, but because of the people we get to spend it with—our family, friends, and those we care about. If we are lucky, we are surrounded by love, laughter, and warm memories. One simple way to make Christmas even more joyful is by playing some Christmas songs on your piano or keyboard. Music has a way of bringing everyone together. Even if you’re just learning, many Christmas songs are easy to play and sound beautiful. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to try and have fun. Playing music can make the holiday feel even more special. People might sing along, smile, or feel happy just listening. The sound of Christmas music fills the room with cheer and makes the moment feel cozy and full of heart. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big celebration or a quiet evening at home—adding music makes everything brighter. So, if you have a piano or keyboard at home, try learning a few simple songs. You’ll be surprised how much joy you can share just by pressing a few keys and playing with love. It’s not about being a great musician—it’s about making memories that you, and the people around you, will remember for years.