Are you a piano teacher looking for the best Christmas piano books for each one of your piano students–from beginners to intermediate?

You’ve landed in the right place!

After teaching for over 20 years, here are the Christmas piano books I find myself reordering year after year, arranged by level. These are the books with the best arrangements of familiar tunes your students will recognize and love to play.

Christmas Piano Books for Very Beginners (Pre-Reading)

We’ll start with our piano students who have just started. They’re not even reading Middle C on the staff yet, but we want to include them in the holiday fun!

Here are three solid Christmas piano books that work well for very beginning students still reading in off-staff notation.

Pre-Reading Off-Staff Christmas Piano Books (On the White Keys)

• My First Piano Adventure Christmas: Book A – a mix of 5 familiar tunes and 3 cute originals with a fun Christmas calendar in the back. Love it for the joyful, colorful pictures and easy-to-read notation.
• Christmas Carol Activity Book: Pre-Reading – though this book series is looking a little bit dated, it makes up for it with tons of activities students enjoy doing as they make their way through the book. Love it for the theory review baked into the book, easy-to-read student solos, and nice teacher duets.
• My First Christmas Carols – straight-forward black-and-white off-staff notated songs, this book contains the classics your beginners will recognize and nice teacher duets as well.

Pre-Reading on the Black Keys for VERY Beginners

Do you have a student who just started piano lessons? I have a couple of single song downloads so your very beginning students can play some Christmas tunes, too!

• Jolly Old Saint Nicholas – arranged on the black keys with teacher duet. This download is completely free on my website!
• Holiday Bells – original black key song that uses the pedal and all octaves for a bell-like sound. Includes teacher duet and activity sheet reviewing finger numbers.

Christmas Piano Books for Beginners (Primer)

For your students who have started reading notes on the staff but are still working in the Middle C Position, try these Primer Level (Early Elementary) Christmas piano books.

Primer Christmas Piano Books (Early Reading)

• PreTime Christmas – a part of the Faber Piano Adventures supplementary series, this is a go-to for my students currently working through the middle to end of the purple Primer Piano Adventures books. Love it for its easy Middle C Position arrangements, recognizable titles, and teacher duets.
• Hal Leonard Christmas Piano Solos: Level 1 – another solid choice for Middle C Position arrangements. Love the fact that the first song in the book is Jingle Bells using Middle C Position notes (and what student doesn’t want to play Jingle Bells?!). Solid teacher duets in this one as well.

Primer Christmas Piano Solos

And I also have some single solos in my resource store–for free!

• Jolly Old Saint Nicholas – written on the staff in Middle C Position with teacher duet (FREE)
• All the Lights – original composition in Middle C Position with note naming activity theory sheet (FREE)

Level 1 Christmas Piano Books for Beginners

Still in the Early Elementary category, but now we are introducing Christmas tunes in the C Pentascale. Students are also familiar with the occasional reach or move, as well as sharps and flats here and there when clearly marked.

Top 2 Level 1 Christmas Piano Books

• PlayTime Christmas – also from Faber’s Piano Adventures supplemental series. I’m pretty sure I have ordered this particular book 100 times over the years. 😅 It’s just always been a go-to for my first- or second-year piano students who have moved beyond the Primer level.
• Christmas Treats and Treasures: Book 1 – For a student who is towards the end of Level 1 or the beginning of Level 2A, and are familiar with the G Pentascale, this book adds unique titles to the mix. Nicely arranged solos and teacher duets by Catherine Rollin make great recital selections and offer songs beyond the typical titles we usually see in beginner Christmas piano songbooks.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 2A Christmas Piano Books

Once students enter Level 2A, they are more comfortable in different positions/pentascales and quite used to seeing sharps and flats. This opens up more possibilities for Christmas song arrangements for these still-somewhat-beginner piano students.

Top 2 Level 2A Christmas Piano Books

• ShowTime Christmas – again going back to Faber’s tried-and-true supplementary series, this book is a logical next step for any student who finished PlayTime Christmas or who is working their way through the Piano Adventures Level 2A (blue) books. I find that there are some songs that most students don’t recognize in this book, but the few that they know (Angels We Have Heard on High, Frosty the Snowman, Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Silent Night, and Up on the Housetop) are plenty and this book is still a great value!
• Hal Leonard More Christmas Piano Solos: Level 2 – Yes, I like the “more” better than the main Level 2 book in this series because of the song selection! It has unique picks like Hallelujah Chorus, Holly Jolly Christmas, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Let It Snow, Silver Bells, Auld Lang Syne, and The Twelve Days of Christmas that aren’t usually found in Christmas piano books at this level. Most songs are arranged in Middle C Position or “Neighbor Notes” Position, but with challenges that suit a Level 2A student, such as eighth notes, swing eighth notes, and accidentals.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 2B Christmas Piano Books (Elementary)

Something magical happens in or around Level 2B: triads! Now that students are introduced to I, IV, and V7 patterns, they can play fuller solo arrangements and really make Christmas songs sound complete all on their own.

Top 3 Level 2B Christmas Piano Books

• ChordTime Christmas – You guessed it, another Faber supplemental. I would recommend this book for a student who has made it halfway through Piano Adventures Level 2B books or who are ready for a challenge because students will be asked to find the IV and 3-note V7 shapes. For a student who just entered Level 2B at Christmastime, I might actually suggest they learn the songs at the end of the ShowTime (Level 2A) Christmas book. Remember you can always down-level the Christmas book so students have an easier time learning more fun holiday songs!
• Hal Leonard Christmas Piano Solos: Level 3 – another solid choice at this level. I might lean towards this book for a student who is more adept at moving around with right hand melodies, but still struggling with left hand three-note triad shapes. Love that this book still has teacher duets and includes “My Favorite Things” which isn’t often included in student Christmas piano books!
• Celebrated Christmas Solos: Book 1 – arrangements by Robert D. Vandall, this book works nicely as a two-year book because the first few songs start off on the easier side (maybe 2A) and then it progresses by the end. Students who really like playing triads will enjoy these arrangements.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 3A Christmas Piano Books

At Level 3, we’re now approaching “Late Elementary” territory and arrangements start to sound really legit! However, I do find it tricky to find good arrangements for students at this level because most books either lean towards the easier/”Beginner” label, or they move into “Intermediate” territory, which Level 3A students aren’t ready for. Let’s narrow it down to 2 picks that are sure to fit the bill.

Top 2 Level 3A Christmas Piano Books

• FunTime Christmas – nobody’s surprised 😆 This is probably my second-most ordered Christmas piano book over the years for students. It actually covers both Level 3A and Level 3B. It contains a ton of songs and lasts students 2-3 Christmas seasons! Favorite arrangements in this book that cater to Level 3A students are: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. There’s something in this book for every Level 3 student!
• Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite – if your student loves The Nutcracker, dance, or classical music in general, they may enjoy a whole book of six arrangements from this suite! Well-done, full-sounding arrangements by Lynda Lybeck-Robinson.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 3B Christmas Piano Books (Late Elementary)

Fuller, more elegant sounding arrangements are now at these students’ fingertips (pun intended 🙂). In the Late Elementary category, Level 3B students are ready for more chord shapes in the left hand, and more runs and moves in the right hand, as well as some more complicated coordination and jazz rhythms.

Top 3 Level 3B Christmas Piano Books

• FunTime Christmas – this book, mentioned above, still delivers for Level 3B students! The second half of this book is perfect for students working through Piano Adventures Level 3B core books. Favorite selections out of this book that fit perfectly with a Level 3B student are: Carol of the Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Let It Snow.
• Hal Leonard Christmas Piano Solos: Level 4 – While I don’t love the arrangements in this series quite as much as the Faber books for students, this book is a gem for titles that are off the beaten path such as: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), Feliz Navidad, (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays, It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas, Jingle-Bell Rock, Silver Bells. So if you have student who loves that ’50s crooner sound, they’ll likely love the selections in this book.
• Popular Christmas Memories: Book 1 – and this one is a happy balance between great arrangements (by Melody Bober) and unique titles such as: All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Feliz Navidad, Winter Wonderland, and You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 4 Christmas Piano Books for Early Intermediate students

Oh boy, now the world is open for Christmas piano books! Level 4 students have emerged into that Early Intermediate category and can now shop for arrangements on the easier side of the intermediate territory. From more involved jazz styles to technically challenging classical arrangements, these students can really shine this Christmas!

Top 4 Level 4 Christmas Piano Books

• BigTime Christmas – at this point in a student’s journey, I don’t order this Faber book as often simply because there’s more out there at this level. But it’s still a super solid choice for Level 4 students and the arrangements are really pleasing and pedagogically arranged by the Fabers. For a student who has just entered Piano Adventures Level 4, I may have them work on the later songs out of the FunTime Christmas book for one more year.
• A Charlie Brown Christmas: Easy Piano – Don’t let the “Easy Piano” label fool you, these are legit sounding arrangements. For a jazz-loving student, this can be a great holiday song resource for 1-2 holiday seasons.
• The Nutcracker Suite – for our classical-loving students ready for a challenge. Well done arrangements by the author of the Alfred method books. (She also has an intermediate level Nutcracker suite if you want one for yourself!)
• Simply Christmas – this books is old, but the arrangements are still so good! In fact, I had a few Jerry Ray Christmas books when I was a teen back in the 90s. 😱 They are the epitome of creating that new age/easy listening piano solo vibe but at a reachable level for emerging intermediate students. Great for church, preludes, or “I need 30 minutes of easy great-sounding Christmas music!”

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 5 Christmas Piano Books for Intermediate Students

Now a true “Intermediate” student, Level 5 students can really take on full arrangements of everything from classical, carols, or jazz styles. This level also makes a wonderful resource for teachers looking for music for gigs that sounds fantastic without hours of practice to prepare.

Top Intermediate Christmas Collections

• AdvanceTime Christmas – the last in the Faber supplemental series, these arrangements are really gorgeous! I pull out this book and play through them myself. For an intermediate student who doesn’t have a strong leaning towards classical, new age, or jazz, this book is the perfect variety of solos for 1-2 Christmases.
• Piano Recital Showcase Christmas Eve Solos: Intermediate – curated arrangements by Hal Leonard’s top arrangers: Philip Keveren, Carol Klose, Jennifer Linn, Mona Rejino, and Mike Springer. This collection includes both classic carols and lesser known sacred titles perfect for a recital or a prayerful church service. Includes three medleys.

And don’t be afraid to reference the Level 4 list for these students. It might be more fun for them to learn 3-5 early intermediate solos rather than 1-2 more difficult solos.

And check out single songs, both original and arrangements, at this level on my website!

Level 6 and Beyond Christmas Piano Books

And if you need some truly challenging solo books at the Late Intermediate to Early Advanced level, here are a couple of books that have been on my shelf well-loved for years!

Top Late Intermediate to Early Advanced Christmas Piano Books

• The Essential Christmas Carol Anthology – a must-have for your collection! Spiral-bound and containing 36 wonderful Philip Keveren arrangments, you’ll find yourself pulling this book off the shelf again and again for years to come. Note that this is not a songbook with lyrics (so not a gather ’round the piano type book). It is a collection of solo piano arrangements.
• Jingle Jazz – also arranged by Philip Keveren, this book contains super fun jazzy, quirky arrangements of recognizable classics. I love pulling out this book for a recital piece that will surprise and delight the audience.
• A Grown-Up Christmas List – also Philip Keveren 😅 I love that this book contains songs you don’t often find in mature piano solo books such as: All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, All I Want for Christmas is You, Christmas in Killarney, Do You Want to Build a Snowman from Frozen, and so many more.