[2026] Christmas Songs You’ll Want to Play on Guitar: A Collection of Classic Favorites Perfect for Solo Performances

Santa Claus the Scatterbrain

The Hasty Santa Claus (Traditional Japanese Christmas song)

How about an acoustic guitar sing-along of “Awatenbō no Santa Claus,” a beloved Christmas children’s song enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and great for beginners? It actually works really well for sing-alongs—the bouncy rhythm has a fun, country-like feel.

Don’t overthink it; just strum away and enjoy playing and singing it.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Ex’ MissNew Found Glory

New Found Glory – Ex Miss (John McKinnie Cover)

Many people are probably looking for sing-and-play Western songs with a Christmas vibe.

For you, I recommend New Found Glory’s “Ex’ Miss.” It has the warm sound unique to Christmas, and just listening to it lifts your spirits.

The guitar part is mostly chord strumming, so it should be easy for beginners to try.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Santa Is Coming to Town – Saku

A Christmas song that has been covered by artists around the world since it was first broadcast in 1934.

It’s a tune many people are familiar with, as it seems to drift in from everywhere during the holiday season.

When performing it as a guitar-and-vocal piece, most of it can be played with simple chord shapes, making it easy to tackle even if you suddenly need to practice for a party or event.

And because it’s a song everyone can sing along to, it’s a great number for a band cover as well, sure to liven up Christmas.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Christmas Vanilla ShakeOkuda Tamio Inoue Yosui

Yosui Inoue and Tamio Okuda / Christmas Vanilla Shake

A Christmas song collaboration by two giants of the Japanese rock scene, Tamio Okuda and Yosui Inoue.

True to Okuda’s style, it’s a masterpiece brimming with a laid-back kind of cool.

Looking only at the chords, there’s nothing particularly difficult, but with slow ballads like this, if your performance gets too lax, it just turns into a sloppy song.

Keep a solid grip on the rhythm and aim to be a guitarist who can show the difference.

White LoversKuwata Keisuke

Shiroi Koibitotachi / Keisuke Kuwata / Guitar Chords

This is the seventh single by singer-songwriter Keisuke Kuwata, who also performs as the vocalist and guitarist for Southern All Stars, a band that continues to thrive as one of the industry’s greats.

Unlike Southern All Stars’ songs that strongly evoke summer, this track’s lyrics and atmosphere evoke snow and Christmas, making it a winter staple in the J-pop scene.

The original features a band sound with organ and strings, but for acoustic guitar and vocals, the chords used are all simple shapes, so even beginner guitarists will find it easy to cover.

It’s an easy yet uplifting number you’ll want to play at Christmas.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Mr.SnowmanE-girls

Mr.Snowman / E-Girls / Guitar Chords

A classic winter love song that likens a man standing stock-still in the snow to a snowman, told from the perspective of a woman who takes the initiative in her approach.

Released by E-girls in November 2014, the track was featured in a UHA Mikakuto commercial and a Prince Snow Resorts TV ad, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Its bright, catchy melody and sparkling electro sound vividly capture the thrill of the season.

While the protagonist feels frustrated with her shy love interest, her determination to move the romance forward comes through warmly.

Play it as an acoustic number at a Christmas gathering, and the room will instantly light up.

I love youTokunaga Hideaki

I love you / Hideaki Tokunaga cover (solo singing with guitar/piano accompaniment)

A love song released in November 1992 as Hideaki Tokunaga’s 15th single.

It peaked at No.

7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart in 1992 and became a hit with sales exceeding 310,000 copies.

In later years, he self-covered the song with a jazz arrangement, transforming it into a more mature expression performed by a trio of piano, upright bass, and drums.

This work is a lyrical J-pop ballad, featuring lyrics that candidly convey love with a bittersweet emotional tone.

Its straightforward melody suits guitar-and-vocal performances, and by keeping Tokunaga’s deeply expressive singing style in mind, you can create a gentle, intimate atmosphere.