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

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?

By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi

Junichi Inagaki - When the Christmas Carols Are Sung

This is the 27th single by singer Junichi Inagaki, a solo artist whose performances singing while playing drums are particularly striking.

The song was used as the theme for the TV drama “Homework” and is known as one of Inagaki’s signature tracks—a standard number that colors the winter season of J-pop.

The acoustic guitar arrangement contains many difficult chords and progresses with fast phrases that make extensive use of arpeggios, so it takes a fair amount of practice to master.

It’s an arrangement that provides substantial practice for anyone doing a solo vocal-and-guitar performance, so, true to the title, try challenging yourself to be able to play it by the time Christmas carols are in the air.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Let's Play 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' (with Model Performance): A Guitar Lesson for Beginners

It’s a Christmas song that everyone knows.

It was originally written and composed by the American songwriter Johnny Marks, and it became widely popular in Japan from the mid-1950s.

Since it’s a song that people from small children to the elderly can sing, it’s great to perform at any event.

The chords that appear are super simple, too.

It’s a classic Christmas tune that’s highly recommended for beginner guitarists.

You could even have the audience sing along.

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Araki Jakkan

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X-M@$Corey Taylor

Corey Taylor – X-M@$

A Christmas song by Corey Taylor, vocalist of the American loud band Slipknot.

According to him, it’s a song he wrote as a satire aimed at people making a big fuss over Christmas.

It might also be fun to play this bright, rocking song while adding your own arrangement.