15 Best Christmas Ukulele Songs for Beginners

Whether you plan to gather ‘round the tree, warm up in front of the fireplace, or hit the beach for a tropical holiday, you’ll find that these ukulele Christmas songs make any Yule gathering a whole lot more festive.

Start practicing now and by the time Christmas arrives, you’ll be ready to share your music with friends. From traditional favorites to contemporary options, there’s a little something for everyone.

1. “Mele Kalikimaka, the Hawaiian Christmas Song” by Bing Crosby

5 chords – G, D7, E, C, A7

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Mele Kalikimaka means “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian, so be sure to put this popular ukulele song at the top of your list! You won’t be surprised to learn that it’s among the most requested ukulele songs for Christmas; luckily, it’s very easy to play!

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2. “What Child is This” (Traditional)

6 chords – Am, C, Em, F, G

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One of the easiest Christmas songs for any instrument, “What Child is This” is also among the most beautiful. It’s a song that almost everyone recognizes, and one that’s very easy to sing along to. As a bonus, this ukulele Christmas carol has a very slow tempo, making it ideal for brand-new players. Once you’ve gotten the hang of the chords, you might want to add in some additional fingerstyle notes – it’s completely up to you, though!

3. “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano

3 chords – G, A7, D

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There are quite a few versions of this Christmas ukulele song, and the easiest has only three chords. You’ve probably heard this one before, and you might already have the words memorized. No worries if it’s new to you: Even though some of the lyrics are in Spanish, there are only a few phrases to remember and the pronunciation is simple. Have fun – this one is a favorite for holiday singalongs!

4. “Joy to the World” (Traditional)

3 chords – A, D, G

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After you learn how to play “Joy to the World” on the ukulele using A, D, and G, you’ll be able to sing along. With just a little more practicing, you can add in a bit of finger picking or change up the strum pattern to make this Christmastime favorite even more festive.

5. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” by Felix Mendelssohn & John Wesley

6 chords – D, G, Am, A7, Bm, E

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Although “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written way back in 1729, it remains one of today’s most popular Christmas songs. Start slowly and practice your chord changes. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be able to speed things up a bit!

6. “Silent Night” (Traditional)

4 chords – C, F, G, G7

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Play “Silent Night” on the ukulele and people will want to sing along! This is one of the most requested Christmas songs and it’s a very easy one to learn.

7. “Away in a Manger,” by James R. Murray

4 Chords – G, C, D7, Am

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With just four chords to put together, “Away in a Manger” is one of the easiest Christmas songs to play on ukulele. After you’ve learned this song, you’ll be ready for a round of caroling!

8. “Deck the Halls” (Traditional Welsh Air)

5 chords – F, Gm, C, C7, Dm

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This arrangement of “Deck the Halls” for ukulele can be played with simple chords and sung along to, or dressed up with fingerpicking. Start slowly and gradually pick up speed until you achieve your desired tempo!

9. “Jingle Bells” (Traditional)

5 chords – Am, A7, C, D7, G

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Just about everyone knows “Jingle Bells,” making this familiar tune a great one to play at holiday gatherings. You might want to start with the chorus instead of jumping right into the first verse – it’s a very popular way to introduce the song!

10. “12 Days of Christmas” (Traditional English Carol)

5 chords – F, C7, Bb, C, G7

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Ready to challenge yourself with a long, long song and lots of chord changes? If so, “Twelve Days of Christmas” is sure to satisfy! Practice one bar at a time and before long, you’ll be ready to play this festive Christmas song on the ukulele while your friends sing the chorus.

11. “Good King Wenceslas” (Traditional)

4 chords – G, Em, D, C

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Perfect for caroling! This easy ukulele song tells a touching story. It takes a while to sing all the lyrics, but the tune is a very simple one that feels like second nature once you’ve repeated it several times.

12. “Oh Christmas Tree” (Traditional)

5 chords – G, D, Am, D7, E7

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You’ll have fun with this song whether you sing “O Tanenbaum” in German the traditional way or opt for lyrics in English! There are just five simple chords to put together.

13. “Coventry Carol” (Traditional)

7 chords – Gm, D, F, Cm, Bb, Eb, G

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With seven chords, Coventry Carol isn’t the easiest ukulele Christmas song on our list. The good news is that the chords are simple, the melody is slow, and once you learn the pattern, you’ll love the way this hauntingly beautiful song sounds.

14. “Do You Hear what I Hear” by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne

5 chords – D, A, G, Bm, F#

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“Do You Hear what I Hear” was written as a song for peace. This very simple version can be played slow and easy, filled in with your vocals, and made your own.

15. “Up on the Housetop” (Traditional)

4 chords – A, D, G, A7

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Start by strumming, and then add in some fingerpicking if you’d like to make this easy Christmas song sound a little more impressive! It’s a favorite with kids and grownups alike.

Playing Easy Christmas Ukulele Songs

You need just a few basic chords to get started with these Christmas songs for the ukulele, so start practicing even if you’re a complete beginner and in a few sessions, you’ll notice that the rhythm and chords come to you more naturally.

Be sure to take things slow and easy – one chord at a time! After you’ve gotten the hang of the chords, work out the strumming pattern and then start singing along. The process gets easier, so just keep working at it and soon enough, you’ll be playing Mele Kalikimaka and other popular ukulele Christmas songs. Aloha, and happy strumming!