[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] Recommended Christmas songs for bands to cover (41–50)
Christmas Nightatarayo
Atarayo is a Tokyo-based three-piece band with the tagline “a band that grows by feeding on sorrow.” Their 10th digital-only single, “Kurisumasu no Yoru,” features a spacious ensemble centered on piano and strings that conjures a wintry atmosphere.
The lyrics, which recall someone you’ve parted ways with, may evoke that feeling where the glitter of Christmas only makes the pain sharper.
It’s a lyrical mid-tempo ballad whose beautiful yet sentimental melody stirs the heart.
[2026] Recommended Christmas Songs for Bands to Cover (51–60)
Christmas LightsColdplay
This is the 25th single by Coldplay, a UK rock band with fans around the world and total sales exceeding 100 million.
It opens with a striking piano intro, and the strings that follow the melody heighten the sense of anticipation for Christmas.
Each part is relatively simple, making it easy for bands to play, but there’s a beat change in the middle, so be sure to rehearse so everyone can stay in sync when performing live.
Its dreamy atmosphere will color any Christmas show, making it a great pick for bands looking to try their hand at an English-language song.
Entrust me with eternity.DEEN
This song has long been loved as a romantic ballad you’ll want to listen to in winter, especially during the coldest days.
As one of DEEN’s signature tracks, it’s packed with everything that makes them so appealing.
The warm melody and heartfelt lyrics leave a strong impression and are sure to capture listeners’ hearts.
The straightforward lyrics about love are also part of its charm, making it a perfect fit for Christmas, a time often talked about alongside romance.
Released in November 1993, it was also used in an NTT DoCoMo pager commercial.
It’s a great choice to cover with a band, too.
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
This is the third single by JUN SKY WALKER(S), the rock band that gained popularity performing on Hokoten—where many bands emerged in the late 1980s—and helped lead the second band boom.
The song was used in a Panasonic “CD radio cassette” commercial, and its intro, with a guitar sound that evokes melancholy, is quite lyrical.
The poignant melody, delivered with powerful vocals, will likely brighten Christmas live shows across generations.
With simple instrumentation and a relaxed tempo, it’s an enduring Christmas song that even beginner band members will find approachable.
Hurry XmasL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
The 33rd single by L’Arc~en~Ciel, a four-piece rock band known for a wide range of hits from meticulously crafted tracks to pop tunes.
The strings intro that evokes Christmas and the jazzy arrangement that creates a calm atmosphere pack in the band’s deep musicality and appeal.
It’s a great pick for Christmas live shows, but every part is quite demanding to perform, so practice with focus.
The rhythm section in particular requires fine techniques—such as a jazz-like walking bass line and rhythm patterns that include grace notes within a fast shuffle beat—so challenge yourself to faithfully recreate them.
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)Ramones
The Ramones, pioneers of punk worldwide—this is their punk Christmas number.
The opening guitar is full-on Ramones sound, the kind that makes you smile without even thinking.
That straight-down-the-middle sound just feels great.
Even beginners should give covering it a try with passion and a love for punk.
Breathe some punk rock life into those boring Christmas songs!
Winter StorySCANDAL
This is a winter song by SCANDAL, who have many tracks with a summery vibe.
It’s a heartwarming love song that makes you want to listen to it in winter.
It’s a piece that really showcases the charm of a girls’ band.
The lyrics about a couple who’ve spent a long time together really hit home.