[Christmas] Songs That Sound Cool on Piano! A Pick of Classics and All-Time Favorites
When it comes to Christmas songs, there are works across a variety of genres and styles—classical, Western pop, J-pop, film music, and more.
With so many sheet music publications available, many of you have probably played some of them on the piano.
In this article, we’ve picked out songs—mainly from Japanese and Western music—that sound incredibly cool when played on the piano, even among the many Christmas classics.
The original versions are, of course, wonderful, but piano arrangements give them an even more chic atmosphere.
Why not enjoy Christmas with the sound of the piano—listening side by side with the originals or actually trying to play them yourself?
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[Christmas] Songs That Look Cool When Played on Piano! A Pick of Classics and Standards (21–30)
The Christmas SongMel Tormé&Robert Wells
Chestnuts roasting over a campfire, a nip of cold brushing the tip of your nose, people bundled up like Eskimos…
Gently weaving together winter scenes, this is a warmly intimate ballad that whispers, “The words are simple, but I want to send you a Merry Christmas from the heart.” Popularized by Nat King Cole in 1946, it remains a beloved standard around the world.
In 2023, it entered the U.S.
charts’ Top 10 for the first time, proving itself a timeless classic.
Beginning with calm, broken piano chords and tender strings that settle like falling snow, its understated elegance shuns excessive flash.
It’s the perfect piece for those who want to linger in a quiet Christmas night—or to play with heartfelt sincerity for someone dear.
Let It Go ~As I Am~Robert Lopez,Kristen Anderson-Lopez
When it comes to the most memorable song from Frozen, most people probably think of this piece.
Since its release in Japan in March 2014, it sparked a social phenomenon, and the lyrics—depicting Elsa’s emotions as she breaks free from repression and accepts herself—along with the sweeping melody, remain etched in many people’s memories.
The piece is set in A-flat major overall, and its powerful development spans a wide vocal range from F3 to E5.
The right hand may feel like it requires large position shifts on the piano, but it becomes easier to play if you start with a simple arrangement with fewer notes and gradually add more elaborate ornaments.
Be sure to try recreating this unforgettable classic—paired in the film with the scene of building the ice palace—on your piano at home!
[Christmas] Songs That Would Be Cool to Play on the Piano! A Pick of Classics and Famous Tunes (31–40)
Mommy Kissed Santa ClausTommie Conner
On Christmas Eve night, a child comes downstairs and witnesses Mom kissing Santa under the mistletoe.
This song humorously captures that fleeting moment, overflowing with family love.
Of course, Santa is actually Dad.
The child’s innocent surprise and the thrill of “What would happen if I told Dad?” ride on a breezy melody, beautifully conveying the warmth of home and a joyful atmosphere.
Sung by Jimmy Boyd in 1952, it reached No.
1 in the U.S., and has since been covered by many artists, including the Ronettes and the Jackson 5.
Its arrangement—adorned with sleigh bells and chorus—is easy to recreate on the piano, and it’s the kind of piece that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces when performed at home with children or at a Christmas party.
Christmas Time Is HereVince Guaraldi
This piece portrays a snowy landscape and a gentle festive atmosphere, set to a three-beat waltz.
Written for the December 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” it has captivated many with its unique world where the transparent harmonies of a children’s choir intertwine with the language of jazz.
The lyrics describe the quiet and hope of Christmas from a child’s perspective, and their simple, unadorned word choice—eschewing excessive virtuosity—speaks directly to the listener’s heart.
The piano’s soft arpeggios and resonant use of silence evoke both the chill and the warmth of winter.
It’s a perfect song for those who seek inner tranquility over flashiness, and for anyone wishing to color moments with family or loved ones through music.
Christmas at our houseWalter Kent
Composed in 1943 to comfort soldiers on the front lines, this song paints gentle Christmas scenes—snow, mistletoe, and tree ornaments—before closing with the poignant wish, “if only in my dreams,” a structure that deeply moves the listener.
Like a letter speaking for soldiers who could not return home during the war, its lyrics carry a universal longing for distant family and loved ones, and the song has remained beloved across generations.
With Bing Crosby’s warm vocals and the soft resonance of strings leaving a lasting impression, its lyrical melody stands out even more when played on the piano.
It’s a quiet, consoling recommendation for anyone unable to spend Christmas with family or who is thinking of someone far away.
Ave Verum CorpusWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Composed as church music, this short choral piece was written in June 1791 in Baden, where Mozart had gone to visit his wife Constanze at a health retreat, for a friend of his.
Setting a Eucharistic hymn in Latin, it is a concise work of 46 measures wrapped in gentle D-major harmonies; yet the flow of the music closely follows the meaning of the words, and within its restrained sonorities the weight of prayer emerges, delivering a profound impact that belies its brief performance time.
The unhurried melody invites savoring each note, and with careful practice of the pedal changes, one can convey a quiet, solemn atmosphere on the piano.
It is an ideal piece for church service or for those seeking calm during gatherings in the Christmas season.
At the end of the wilderness
This hymn, which depicts the joyous scene of angels announcing the Nativity to the shepherds, is highlighted by the long, beautiful melismas on the Latin refrain “Gloria in excelsis Deo” (“Glory to God in the highest”), repeated throughout.
The undulating, soaring melody is full of festal spirit, and when played on the piano it can recreate the majesty of a choir resounding in a church.
Since the English lyrics became established in 1862, a wide range of artists—including Bing Crosby, Andrea Bocelli, and Pentatonix—have recorded it, and it has continued to be cherished in worship and concert settings.
A broad spectrum of sheet music is available, from simple congregational-style arrangements to dazzling versions featuring inner-voice passing and cadenza-like cadential flourishes, making it recommended not only for those planning to serve in church or perform at Christmas events, but also for anyone who wants to practice a stately, celebratory carol in depth.