[2026] A roundup of recommended Christmas songs for bands to cover
Aren’t there actually quite a lot of people who perform live around Christmas time?
If you’re in a high school club or a university circle, there’s probably a Christmas live.
And if it’s an event during the holiday season, you’ll naturally want to perform Christmas songs with your band!
But don’t you feel like the most classic Christmas songs aren’t really “band” tunes?
So in this article, I’ll introduce plenty of Christmas songs that are great for band covers!
I’ll include some classics, but I’ll also feature lots of rock band tracks—both Japanese and Western—so use this as a reference when choosing songs to perform!
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[2026] A roundup of recommended Christmas songs for bands to cover (21–30)
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)John Lennon
A world-famous Christmas classic.
John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is highly popular not only as a Christmas song but also as a song that wishes for peace.
The Christmasy jingle of sleigh bells and the lyrics hoping for peace and happiness have captured hearts around the world.
It’s a great one to cover gently with a band.
My lover is Santa ClausSCANDAL
“Koibito ga Santa Claus” was originally a song by Yumi Matsutoya, but the version I’m introducing is SCANDAL’s cover.
When professionals do rock covers like this, it’s great for beginners—like students who’ve just started playing instruments.
This track also has sheet music available, so watch the YouTube videos, study the score, practice a ton, and nail the performance!
Christmasamazarashi
It’s a Christmas song, but it has a depth that can’t be summed up in just that one word.
It’s a track by the rock band amazarashi, led by vocalist and guitarist Hiromu Akita, included on their 2010 mini-album “One Room Epic.” The powerful yet warm vocals are truly moving.
If you’re looking for a Christmas song with a different flavor, definitely give it a listen.
Love SnowSilent Siren
This is a Christmas song by Silent Siren, a four-piece girls’ band made up of former reader models.
If you’re in a girls’ band, I’d love for you to cover this one.
The high, cute vocals really shine in this song.
Snow Magic FantasySEKAI NO OWARI
A four-member band active overseas, SEKAI NO OWARI’s fifth major-label single.
It offers a fantasy-like atmosphere that evokes snow, making it perfect for Christmas live shows.
Because it requires an instrumentation different from typical setups like guitar, bass, and drums, faithfully recreating it will surely make for a special live performance that stands out and draws attention!
All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey
When it comes to Christmas songs, this is such a timeless classic that there’s practically no Christmas season without hearing it! It’s a masterpiece that has been covered by countless artists.
With its bright and festive vibe, it’s sure to get the crowd going if you cover it with a live band! You can stick to the original or arrange it in your own style—either way would be wonderful!
wishsumika
A four-piece rock band that chose their name with the concept of becoming a place that feels like home to many people, sumika has earned popularity for their distinctive lyrical world and pop sensibilities.
This is their ninth single overall.
Written as the theme song for the TV drama “Ossan’s Love -in the sky-,” it was released as a double A-side with “Higher Ground.” Its lyrics, which depict a bittersweet unrequited love, and its wistful melody are sure to paint the chilly season with a touch of sentiment.
It’s a highly recommended cover number that will draw anyone in emotionally if performed at Christmas.