[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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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.

Kissin’ Christmas (It’s Not Just Because It’s Christmas)Kuwata Keisuke & His Friends

Kissin’ Christmas (Not Because It’s Christmas) – Keisuke Kuwata, solo acoustic performance

It’s a miraculous co-written song by two artists who represent the Japanese music scene: Keisuke Kuwata and Yumi Matsutoya.

Although it was created as the theme song for a Nippon TV network program in 1986, it wasn’t commercially released for a long time, and finally received an official audio release in 2012 when it was included on the album “I LOVE YOU – now & forever –.” With lyrics by Yuming and music by Kuwata—the ultimate tag team—the song delicately portrays the feelings of confessing one’s heart to someone special on Christmas night.

The arrangement, gently colored by keyboards and percussion, has a warm touch and is structured in a way that makes it easy to try as a guitar-and-vocal performance.

It’s a song you’ll want to play when you wish to convey your heartfelt feelings on a Christmas night spent with someone dear.

SNOW SMILEShimizu Shota

[Singing with Guitar] SNOW SMILE / Shota Shimizu (Covered by sae)

This track by Shota Shimizu, known for delivering soulful vocals as an R&B singer-songwriter, was included on his November 2014 single.

It portrays the joy of two people in a long-distance relationship finally meeting again, as well as the sorrow of soon parting once more, through Shimizu’s characteristically delicate lyrics and melody.

Though mid-tempo, the arrangement weaves in rap-like phrases for a pleasant feel, and its pop-leaning structure makes it well-suited for guitar-and-vocal performances.

It was featured as an insert song in the projection mapping show “Christmas Carol Clock” held at Ikspiari in Tokyo Disney Resort, giving it a distinctly seasonal vibe.

A Christmas song that resonates with those in long-distance relationships or anyone spending days unable to see someone important to them.

December RainArai Yumi

December Rain (Yumi Arai) Guitar Solo Vocal

Yumi Arai, who has left numerous masterpieces in the Japanese pop scene, released this early gem in October 1974.

The lyrics, which overlay the sadness of winter with the cold rain of December, are striking, delicately portraying both the imagery that foreshadows a breakup and the protagonist’s wavering emotions.

The restrained band sound, chord progressions reminiscent of Monsieur Kamayatsu’s songs, and the beautiful choral work woven by Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki all raise the work’s level of completion considerably.

While it’s difficult to recreate the distinctly urban city-pop atmosphere in a solo performance, trying arpeggios instead of simply strumming chords is one good approach!

My Very Own Merry ChristmasNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

My Own Merry Christmas (Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi) – Reina [Cover] (13 years old)

A heartwarming ballad told from a child’s perspective, portraying warm Christmas scenes.

Through imagery like a 100 cm fir tree, powdery snow, and candles, it evokes family warmth and modest happiness.

It’s a rare Christmas-themed work for Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, with lyrics by Goro Matsui.

Included on the album “HEAVY GAUGE,” released in June 1983, it was later chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “Mama! Merry Christmas” in December 1984.

Centered on a simple arrangement of piano and strings, it’s easy to try as a solo performance—why not sing it on Christmas night as if speaking to someone special?