![[2026] Christmas Songs You’ll Want to Play on Guitar: A Collection of Classic Favorites Perfect for Solo Performances](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/GEqOLMXqOlM/maxresdefault.webp)
[2026] Christmas Songs You’ll Want to Play on Guitar: A Collection of Classic Favorites Perfect for Solo Performances
When the Christmas season rolls around, there are plenty of chances to perform a guitar piece as entertainment at parties and events.
If you’re going to play, you might want to tackle something Christmas-themed—but you may be wondering which songs to choose.
In this article, we’ve picked a wide range of pieces: classic Christmas songs from J-pop and Western music that you’ll want to try singing and playing at least once, instrumental versions of standards, and band-friendly arrangement ideas you might want to perform.
It’s not only perfect for party entertainment but also useful for guitar practice—so guitarists, don’t miss it!
[2026] Christmas Songs You’ll Want to Play on Guitar: A Collection of Classic Favorites Perfect for Solo Performance (1–10)
Christmas songback number
A ballad that portrays a bittersweet longing for a lover against the backdrop of winter’s chill and Christmas scenes.
When back number released this song in December 2015, it quickly became a staple of the winter season.
Included on the album “Chandelier,” the track was also used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama “5→9: From Five to Nine,” winning the hearts of a wide range of listeners.
It’s the perfect song to set the mood for a quiet night, singing and playing guitar with your feelings for someone special.
How about performing it yourself on Christmas night?
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
It’s a classic Christmas song that needs no introduction and is practically impossible not to hear during the season.
If you try playing it on guitar, you’ll notice the strumming is surprisingly simple.
If you force flashy accents, it can detract from the song’s vibe, so focus on keeping a steady, accurate rhythm and creating contrast with the vocals instead.
It’s easy to play, but very challenging to perform coolly—a truly rewarding piece.
1999Hitsuji Bungaku
A Christmas number released in December 2018 by Hitsujibungaku, a band leading the new generation of alternative rock.
The dramatic arrangement—layering strings and hymn-like choruses over a band sound—is striking, and the guitar tones, both delicate and powerful, brilliantly capture the feel of winter air.
While depicting scenes of romance, the lyrics carry universal themes such as the meaning of life and existence, evoking both the bittersweetness and warmth of Christmas, a special day.
It was also released as a limited-edition CD in December 2019, and in the music video directed by Kiyoshiro Ishida, actor Kisetsu Fujiwara and others bring its dreamlike world to the screen.
This song, where lyrical melodies and literary lyrics harmonize, reveals even greater depth when performed in a stripped-down, voice-and-guitar style.
How about playing it on guitar on a Christmas night spent with someone special?
Cinderella ChristmasKinKi Kids
Released in December 1998 as a double A-side single with “Happy Happy Greeting,” this song is KinKi Kids’ fifth single.
Inspired by the fairy tale Cinderella, its lyrics, woven as a story between lovers, leave a strong impression.
The mid-tempo melody, layered with strings and chorus, creates a richly spatial arrangement that heightens the romantic Christmas mood.
It’s also approachable for solo performances with guitar or piano, and its lyrical harmonies are a joy to savor.
This is a perfect piece to showcase as entertainment at a Christmas party or on a special night with someone you love.
Song of X’smapSMAP
This is a song written by SMAP, the group that defined an era as a national idol act, as the theme for the year-end 2004 special drama “X’smap: The Tiger, the Lion, and the Five Men.” With a sophisticated melody by Yoko Kanno and lyrics that paint a Christmas scene while conveying the warm message that “everyone is someone’s Santa Claus,” it leaves a lasting impression.
Initially released as a digital-only track, it was officially put on CD in January 2005 as the B-side to the single “Tomodachi e ~Say What You Will~,” and it ranked 34th on the 2016 best-of album “SMAP 25 YEARS.” Despite being a B-side, it has maintained strong support from fans.
It’s also easy to try as an acoustic guitar solo, and if you perform it at a Christmas Eve party, it’s sure to fill the venue with a warm atmosphere.
Because I fell in loveaimyon
A poignant ballad included as the 7th track on the second album “Shunkanteki Sixth Sense,” released in February 2019.
It was chosen for LINE Corporation’s “LINE Xmas 2019” campaign video and is known as a representative number for the winter season.
The song conveys the preciousness of love realized only after a breakup, carefully portraying how the significance of the other person becomes clear precisely because of that parting.
Recorded in a single take and running about four and a half minutes, the raw vocals—capturing even Aimyon’s breathing—resonate deeply in the heart.
It pairs perfectly with acoustic guitar, and its relaxed tempo makes it ideal for solo singing with guitar.
It’s a piece that gently stays by the side of those who feel the loneliness of not being able to spend Christmas with someone special.
Happy surprisenaniwa danshi
The third single from Naniwa Danshi, who debuted from Kansai Johnny’s Jr.
It’s a winter love song packed with sparkling momentum and wintry romance, with a catchy melody that sticks in your ears.
The glittering arrangement layered with strings and synths vividly paints sweet winter scenes, and the thrill of holding hands with chilled fingers resonates in the heart.
Released in November 2022, it sold over 510,000 copies in its first week, marking their third consecutive half-million.
The coupling track also includes the song from Lawson’s Christmas campaign commercial.
Why not try a solo acoustic rendition as you picture a shimmering winter cityscape and pour your feelings for someone special into it?