Christmas is upon us, and if you’re a pianist, there are plenty of songs to play that are sure to get you and your family into the festive spirit. From traditional carols to more modern Christmas chart-toppers, the piano is a staple in all kinds of these joyous, merry tunes – and many of them are great for beginners to learn.
To help you build your repertoire, we’ve compiled our favourite easy Christmas piano songs into one list, detailing the key and difficulty level of each track. They’re all straightforward to learn, but some are slightly harder than others, meaning they’re great for advanced beginners – we’ve marked the difficulty levels for these as “intermediate”.
Some songs on the list are suitable for kids, so they can practise over the season and spread the joy with living room piano concerts! If you’re looking for an exciting Christmas gift for your child this Christmas, check out our guide to the best keyboards for kids and beginners. For smaller presents or stocking fillers, we’ve suggested some a little further down in this article.
So, let’s “step into Christmas” and get on with our list of easy Christmas songs for the piano!
In a hurry?
If you want to get started right now, here are our favourite festive tunes that can be easily played on piano:
- “Jingle Bells” by James Lord Pierpont
- “Last Christmas” by Wham!
- “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
- “Step Into Christmas” by Elton John
The best Christmas gifts for pianists
Are you looking to gift the pianist in your life something special? Or maybe you want to upgrade your own setup? Here are our top three present ideas that pianists will love:
Casio SP-20 Sustain Pedal
sideKIK Personal Musician’s Amp with Bluetooth by Gear4music
Roland LCL-25W White LED Clip Light
Why we’ve chosen these songs
These songs are a great way to learn piano, improve your skills, and have fun this festive season. We’ve tried to cover a good mix of traditional and modern hits, suiting a variety of ages and abilities. So, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone, whether it’s “Jingle Bells” that takes your fancy or the slightly more advanced “Step Into Christmas”.
For a Christmas song to make the list, they had to tick three requirements: have a prominent piano part or be able to easily be translated to piano, be relatively straightforward to play (there are no complicated classical pieces here), and be a sure-fire way to get everyone around you into the spirit.
We also want to cover a range of difficulty levels, so although these songs are all easy to play, some include a few advanced techniques, faster tempos, or tougher chord progressions. These are great for beginners who want to play something that’s both fun and challenging.
This selection of songs can suit many settings, from schools and recitals to practice room rehearsals. Plus, many of the carols have a rich history, with some written hundreds of years ago, so they’re great to have as part of your repertoire!
Easy Christmas piano songs
1. “Jingle bells” by James Lord Pierpont
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Beginner
It might be a classic Christmas song, but you may be surprised to know that “Jingle Bells” wasn’t actually intended to be a Christmas song! First written in 1850 by James Lord Piermont, it was originally titled “The One Horse Open Sleigh” and is claimed to have been inspired by popular sleigh races in Medford, Massachusetts. Over time, it has been adopted as a Christmas song.
The song is written in G major and the main chords used are G, C, Am, and D7. Possibly one of the easiest and most recognisable Christmas songs to play, this is perfect for beginners. You can play just the melody or add chords for a fuller sound.
2. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Key: G Major
Ability Level: Intermediate
What says “Christmas” more than the tune of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”?
Love it or hate it, this is a song as synonymous with Christmas as tinsel on the tree. It has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of the modern day. Written in the key of G Major, the track features the chords G, Em, C, and D. This is a slightly more difficult piece to play, though it’s suitable for those just starting out, and so is a great one for adult beginners!
3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
Key: C Major
Difficulty: Intermediate
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is one of the more traditional Christmas songs on our list. It was originally written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the musical Meet Me in St Louis. Sang by numerous singers such as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, it has become a Christmas favourite by many due to its link with the Christmas scene in the musical.
This is written in the key of C and is definitely one for more experienced players looking for a challenge. The main chords included in this song are F, DM, Gm, and C7.
4. “White Christmas” by Frank Sinatra
Key: G major
Ability Level: Easy
Frank Sinatra’s version of “White Christmas” has one of the smoothest, dreamiest melodies of any Christmas tune. It just feels cosy. Whether you’re providing the backing for a festive sing-along or setting the mood for a warm evening by the fire, “White Christmas” is a beautiful timeless classic. And because it’s slow and steady in pace, it’s relatively easy to play.
5. “Last Christmas” by Wham!
Key: C
Difficulty: Intermediate
A modern-day hit, “Last Christmas” was written by George Michael in 1989 during his time in Wham! and was originally recorded on a Roland Juno-60 synthesiser.
The song is in the key of C and is a little more technical than our other entries, so we think it’s suited to pianists with a bit of experience. One of the stand-out features of the song is the pre-chorus jingle – you’ll immediately recognise the song from those first few bars! The main chords are Bm7, Em7, A, and D, making it better suited to experienced players as opposed to beginners.
6. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry and the Pinafores
Key: C major
Difficulty: Easy
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is an immensely enjoyable song to play on the piano, and its simple chord progression makes it ideal for kids and beginners. Generally played in the key of C Major, the song features basic chords such as C, G, and G7. To learn this song, it’s best to look at the chords first and perfect them, and then you can incorporate the melody parts when you’re ready.
7. “Frosty the Snowman”
Key: C Major
Difficulty: Easy
The icy season is here and nothing sets the mood like “Frost the Snowman”. Why is it a Christmas classic? Well, what’s not Christmassy about snowmen? This classic tune is one of the most recognisable songs of the holiday season.
Written in the key of C major and featuring mainly C major, G major, and F major chords, the song dates back to 1950 when it was written by Walter ‘’Jack Rollins’’ and Steve Nelson. With a little bit of practice and dedication, you’ll be able to master “Frosty the Snowman” and spread some holiday cheer through your music.
8. “Let It Snow” by Frank Sinatra
Key: F Major
Difficulty: Easy
“Let It Snow” truly encapsulates the feeling of Christmas. If you’ve been considering adding this song to your piano repertoire, you’re in the right place. This well-loved Christmas tune is not only fun to play, but also an ideal piece for beginners.
Played mostly in the key of F Major, it features basic chords such as D, D7, A7, and E7 that are relatively easy to master. As you get comfortable with these, you can gradually incorporate the melody.
9. “Silent Night”
Key: G
Difficulty: Easy
“Silent Night” is a timeless Christmas classic and an absolute must-know for any aspiring pianist. With its simple yet beautiful melody, playing this song on the piano is the perfect way to create a festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
Written in the key of G, it features chords such as G, D, C and Em. Remember to play the notes in a flowing, legato style, and to keep the tempo slow and steady. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to capture the magic of “Silent Night” and impress your friends and family with your piano skills.
10. “Walking in the Air” by Aled Jones
Key: C# Minor
Difficulty: Intermediate
Get ready for some operatic vocals! “Walking in the Air” was written by Howard Blake and performed by Aled Jones in the classic Christmas film The Snowman.
Written in the key of C#, it features a variety of basic chords, including Dm, C, Gm, and Bb. If you’re looking to break it down, simply start with the right-hand melody line and gradually add the left-hand accompaniment. Pay attention to the dynamics and phrasing to really capture the essence of the song.
11. “Holly Jolly Christmas”
Key: C # Minor
Difficulty: Intermediate
If you want to add some holiday cheer to your piano playing, “Holly Jolly Christmas” is a must-learn song. This festive tune was made famous by Burl Ives; it’s a joyful and upbeat song that will get everyone in the holiday spirit. The intro features a descending chord progression, and the verse is simple but merry. The chorus is where the real fun begins, with its catchy melody and bouncing rhythm.
So, pull out the piano stool and get ready to spread some holiday cheer with this beloved Christmas classic.
12. “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Micheal Buble
Key: E
Difficulty: Intermediate
Well, it’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas and what better way to learn a classic Christmas tune than on the piano? Playing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” on the piano is surprisingly easy and makes for a great addition to any holiday gathering.
Written in the key of C, the song features simple chords (D, G, Em, Bm and E).
13. “Winter Wonderland” by Perry Como
Key: C
Difficulty: Intermediate
“Winter Wonderland” is a classic Christmas song written originally by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith. This tune is typically played in the key of C Major and its main chords are D7, G7, C and E.
Start by practising each hand separately, focusing on the melody with your right hand and the chords with the left. Once you’re comfortable, bring them together and start to play the song in its entirety.
14. “Step into Christmas” by Elton John
Key: D Major
Difficulty: Intermediate
A modern classic that’s sure to get everyone dancing, “Step into Christmas” is a festive hit you’ll want to add to your repertoire. It’s fun, high-tempo, and a true crowd-pleaser.
Familiarise yourself with the melody and chords before working on the rhythm and tempo. With D, C, G, Am, A, and Em chords, this song is perfect for intermediate players.
15. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters
Key: F Major
Difficulty: Easy
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a classic Christmas carol, published during the eighteenth century. Written in the key of F major, it features chords such as C, F, C7, and A# and has a fairly straightforward melody with the same phrase repeated throughout the song.
16. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Key: G major
Difficulty: Easy
A carolling staple, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was written in the sixteenth century. In the key of G major, its simple chords of C, F, D, G, E, and Am make it easy to play on the piano.
Plus, there are only a few phrases that you need to learn; these are repeated throughout the piece – meaning it’s quite a quick one to pick up.
FAQs
What is the easiest Christmas song to play on Piano?
The easiest Christmas song to play on the piano is “Jingle Bells”, courtesy of its simple melody and easy chord sequence. It’s also an easily recognisable tune, which makes it relatively simple to learn.
What is the oldest Christmas song?
The earliest Christmas song is thought to have been ‘’Jesus Refulsit Ominum‘’, written in the 4th century by St. Hilary of Potier.
What Christmas song should I learn on the piano?
The simplest song to learn on piano is “Jingle Bells” although there are other songs that you can progress to, for example, “Last Christmas” by Wham! and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.
Final thoughts
There are many easy Christmas piano songs, all suiting a wide range of genres and abilities. Whether you’re in the beginning stages of learning the piano or you’re a more experienced player looking for festive tunes to add to your repertoire, there’s sure to be something for you on our list!
Want to learn the guitar parts, too? Take a look at our favourite easy Christmas guitar songs.
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