Christmas music is perhaps the fastest way to evoke the spirit of Christmas in our homes and workplaces. Whether we’re children still learning the lyrics or adults filled with nostalgia, Christmas music is the source of warm, joyful emotions that move our hearts.

Over the decades, talented pianists have lit up the ivory keys with magical arrangements of the holiday music we all know and love. We’ve compiled a list of our 14 favorite Christmas piano songs of all time to spread some Christmas cheer and help you enjoy the spirit of the season!

1. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” performed by the Piano Guys. 

An advent hymn originally written as an antiphon around the 8th century. In the 1800s, English Minister, John Mason Neale translated and arranged the hymn into the version we’re familiar with today. 

2. “I Saw Three Ships” performed by Jarrod Radnich. 

Although the meaning of the lyrics still remain a mystery, this carol has enjoyed popularity since its publication in 1666.

3. “Christmas Time is Here” performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. 

A team of writers and producers approached Guaraldi in 1965 to collaborate on a Christmas Special featuring the characters from Peanuts. They wanted a unique style of music to set the cartoon apart from Saturday morning cartoons. What they got was a timeless score that’s now considered a classic part of Christmas.

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4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” performed by Bill Evans. 

Within 24 hours of airing in November 1934, this song sold over 30,000 records and 500,000 orders of sheet music.

5. “Carol of the Bells” performed by David Hicken. 

This song was written by Peter Wilhousky after listening to a choir arrangement based off a pre-Christian Ukranian folk song that young girls sang to wish people a bountiful new year. 

6. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” performed by Philip Wesley. 

This song dates back as early as the 15th century, although no one knows its original author. In 1833, this song was included in an anthology of Christmas music and has been a Christmas classic ever since. 

7. “Christmas Medley” performed by Jon Schmidt. 

A stirring compilation of timeless Christmas carols.

8. “Little Drummer Boy” performed by Michele McLaughlin. 

Originally titled “ Carol of the Drum,” this song was based on a Czech folk song. It quickly gained popularity after its first performance by the Trapp Family Singers in 1951.

9. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” performed by Lorie Line and The Fab 5. 

Although the lyrics were written in 1739, they weren’t coupled with the melody we recognize today until 1855! 

10. “Winter Wonderland” performed by Michael Gundlach. 

These upbeat lyrics were written by Richard Smith, a young man suffering from tuberculosis. The words expressed his wish to enjoy the winter season like a healthy, normal person. His friend, composer Felix Bernard, set the lyrics to music. Although Smith didn’t live long enough to witness his song’s success, his song remains a part of the Christmas canon. 

11. “We Three Kings” performed by John Eidsvoog. 

Written in 1857 by rector John Henry Hopkins, Jr, this was the first carol written in the United States to gain worldwide popularity.

12. “Let it Snow” performed by Jonny May. 

Ironically, this song was written in 1945 on a hot California day. Although there’s no mention of the holidays, it’s often played during the Christmas season and regarded by many as a beloved Christmas song.

13. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” performed by Jacob Koller.

 This song was written for Judy Garland to sing in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. The original version was so sad, Judy refused to sing it. The revised version is the one we’re familiar with today.

14. “Sleigh Ride” performed by Jeffrey Biegel. 

One of the first songs composed by Leroy Anderson when he got out of the Army in 1946. Written that summer during a heat wave, the lyrics were added 5 years later after the song already experienced immense popularity. 

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About the Author

Mikelle Despain

Piano Insights Author

Mikelle is a classically trained pianist and former piano teacher who has been in the piano retail industry for over 20 years. Her dream piano is a Yamaha S5X. She currently provides expert insights for Piano Gallery to share information and advice for buying, playing, and enjoying the piano. When she's not writing or playing piano, she's spending time with her four kids, tending her vegetable garden, boondock camping, hiking, or cooking overly-extravagant meals for friends.

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