You can learn 5 Christmas songs using chords, lyrics, analysis, chord charts, TAB, step-by-step guidance, and video guitar lessons!
Essential Christmas Songs Every Working Musician Must Know
Christmas gigs are a rite of passage for any working musician. Whether you’re playing pubs, corporate events, hotels, theatre shows or last-minute December functions, there are certain songs you are simply expected to know. When the room fills up and the first festive request comes in, there’s no time to learn it on the spot.
These are the tunes that get crowds singing, dancing and spending — and that makes them essential repertoire. From glossy pop anthems to nostalgic classics, Christmas songs have a way of uniting every generation in the room. If you want to work consistently through December, this material isn’t optional — it’s part of the job.
What surprises many players is how demanding some of these songs actually are. Beneath the festive sparkle you’ll often find tricky key changes, layered arrangements, unexpected chords and tight rhythmic feels that require real control. Artists like Mariah Carey, The Pogues, Brenda Lee, Wham! and The Ronettes didn’t write simple throwaway tunes — many of these tracks are far more intricate than they first appear.
This page is a growing resource, and the list will continue to expand as more essential Christmas standards are added. The aim is simple: build a repertoire that keeps you confident, prepared and in demand every festive season.
All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey
You can learn All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | G | G/B | G/B |
I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Fairytale of New York | The Pogues
You can learn Fairytale of New York by The Pogues using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| D5 | A/G G |
It was Christmas Eve, babe. In the drunk tank…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Fairytale of New York (The Pogues) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus | The Ronettes
You can learn I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by The Ronettes using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart and the original recording.
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (The Ronettes) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Last Christmas | Wham!
You can learn Last Christmas by Wham! using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Dmaj9 D6 | Dmaj9 D6 |
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Last Christmas (Wham!) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree | Brenda Lee
You can learn Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Ab | Ab | Eb7 | Eb7 |
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
