Looking for fresh Christmas music lesson plans that your elementary students will actually love? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re searching for Christmas music lessons for kindergarten through grade 6, these ready-to-teach activities will have your students singing, playing instruments, and celebrating the season with joy.

The best part? These lesson plans are designed specifically for busy teachers who need engaging, curriculum-aligned Christmas music activities without spending hours on preparation.

Before we dive into specific activities, let’s talk about what makes Christmas elementary music lessons truly effective:

• Active participation: Students should be making music, not just listening
• Multiple skill levels: Activities that can be adapted for different grades
• Minimal prep time: You’ve got enough on your plate during the holidays!
• Real musical learning: Fun holiday themes that still teach core music concepts
• Inclusive options: Arrangements that work whether you have full instrument access or limited resources

Feeling the pressure as concert season approaches? You’re not alone.

For those in the northern hemisphere – winter concert preparation can be a stressful time. For teachers in Australia, the seasonal music curriculum has to cover all the end-of-year assessments and activities as well.

Between planning your end-of-year performance, teaching regular lessons, and managing all the daily demands of being a music teacher, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this video, Janice Tuck addresses the real challenge facing music teachers right now: you don’t need more work—you need resourcefulness. Learn why the key to a successful concert season isn’t scrambling for repertoire or spending Sunday nights creating worksheets, but having high-quality, ready-to-use festive music activities at your fingertips so you can focus on what you do best—teaching music and bringing out the best in your students. Discover how the right approach can transform elementary Christmas music concert from your most stressful time into your most rewarding.

Here’s something every music teacher knows in their heart: children learn music by MAKING music, not just listening to it.

That’s why the activities in this post are built on one powerful principle—students should be actively singing and playing in every single lesson. Not sometimes. Not when you have the ‘right’ instruments. Every. Single. Time.

Think about it: Would you teach swimming by having kids watch videos about swimming? Of course not! They need to get in the water. Music is exactly the same.

Active music-making transforms your classroom because students aren’t passive observers — they’re musicians. They’re clapping rhythms, singing melodies, playing instruments, and creating something beautiful together.

And here’s the best part: You don’t need fancy equipment or years of music training to make this happen.

Got a full set of xylophones and glockenspiels? Fantastic! Use them.

Only have a few rhythm instruments? Perfect! Students can share and rotate.

No instruments at all? No problem!

Students can sing, clap, pat, stomp, and use actions. They’re still making music. They’re still learning. They’re still engaged.

This approach works because it meets you exactly where you are—whatever your resources, whatever your musical background, whatever your classroom situation. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s participation. It’s joy. It’s helping every student discover that they ARE musical.

So when you see these Christmas music lessons, remember: they’re designed to get every child actively involved from the very first moment, using whatever you have available. Because that’s when the real magic happens.

This philosophy is at the heart of the complete Fun Music Company Curriculum program. Every single lesson—whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, or any time of year—includes SING & PLAY activities that get students making music from day one. It’s a full-year, comprehensive approach that takes the guesswork out of music teaching while keeping the joy and creativity in. You can click here to learn more about the Fun Music Company complete K-6 music curriculum program.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the music room.

You’ve got an end-of-year concert coming up. Parents are expecting festive songs. But you’ve also been told — maybe by administration, maybe by state department or district policy—that you need to keep things secular, inclusive, and sensitive to families who don’t celebrate Christmas.

So what do you do?

Here’s the good news: the songs featured in this post work beautifully whether you’re planning a ‘Christmas Concert,’ a ‘Summer Concert’ (In Australia) ‘Winter Concert,’ (in the Northern Hemisphere) a ‘Holiday Concert,’ or an ‘End of Year Celebration.’

Many teachers face policies that require winter or holiday themes rather than specifically Christmas content. That’s actually easier to navigate than you might think with the right song choices:

Jingle Bells – This is your secret weapon! As mentioned earlier, this song was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. It’s about snow, sleighs, and winter fun—with zero religious content. Frame it as a winter song, and you’re completely covered. Students love it, parents recognize it, and it fits perfectly into any “Winter Wonderland” or “Celebrating the Seasons” theme.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Yes, it says “Christmas” right in the title, but here’s the thing: in many communities, “Merry Christmas” is used as a cultural greeting rather than a religious statement. However, if your district is strict about avoiding the word entirely, the Boomwhacker arrangement below is perfect — it’s purely instrumental! Students can perform the entire piece without singing any words at all. It becomes a winter instrumental showcase that teaches rhythm, coordination, and ensemble playing. The melody is recognizable, but you’re focusing entirely on the musical performance rather than any specific message. You can even title it “Winter Celebration” or “Festive Instrumental” in your program.

Alternatively, you can:

• Use this as your ‘traditional carol’ segment and balance it with songs from other winter traditions
• Focus on the musical learning objectives (ensemble playing, rhythm, melody) rather than the holiday context
• Include it in a broader ‘Songs of the Season’ medley

Deck the Halls – This one is completely secular! It’s about decorating with holly, singing fa-la-la, and celebrating the season. The modern variations (jazz, pop, hip-hop) make it even more about musical creativity than any specific holiday. Perfect for districts that want festive without religious.

If your school community celebrates Christmas openly, these arrangements shine even brighter. They honor the traditional carols families love while teaching serious musical skills. Students aren’t just singing Christmas songs — they’re learning ensemble performance, reading music, and developing as musicians.

Many teachers find success by creating concerts that include:

• Traditional Christmas carols (like these arrangements)
• Winter songs with no holiday reference
• Songs from other cultural traditions (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali if timing works)
• Secular winter celebration songs

This approach says: “We’re learning about many ways people celebrate during this special time of year.” And that is what we’re embracing here at the Fun Music Company as well. As time goes on we are going to be adding more and more options in this area, so watch this space!

Here’s what we’ve learned from thousands of music teachers: Parents and administrators care less about which specific songs you choose and more about:

1. Are students learning real musical skills? (Yes—these arrangements teach singing, rhythm, melody, and ensemble playing)
2. Are students engaged and excited? (Absolutely—these songs are fun and age-appropriate)
3. Does the concert showcase student growth? (Definitely—the progression from simple to complex is clear)
4. Are families respectful of different traditions represented? (That’s about framing and communication, which you control)

Communication is key:

• Send a note home explaining that you’re teaching music through seasonal songs
• Emphasize the educational objectives, not just the holiday
• Invite families to share songs from their own traditions
• Frame the concert as celebrating “music, community, and the joy of the season”

Be proactive with administration:

• Share your song list in advance
• Explain the secular nature of “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls”
• Highlight the instrumental-only option for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
• Point out the musical learning objectives
• Offer to include additional winter or multicultural songs if desired

For students who don’t celebrate:

• Emphasize that we’re learning these as “songs many people enjoy during winter”
• Focus on the musical elements: “This song teaches us about syncopation!”
• Allow students to participate in the musical learning without requiring them to celebrate the holiday

Whether your concert is called “Christmas Concert,” “Winter Spectacular,” “Holiday Celebration,” or “End of Year Musical Showcase,” these arrangements work. They’re musically solid, educationally sound, and flexible enough to fit your community’s needs.

You’re not just teaching Christmas music — you’re teaching music that happens to be part of how many cultures celebrate this time of year. And that’s a perfectly valid, educationally defensible, and musically rich choice.

So take a deep breath. Choose the songs that work for your situation. Teach them well. And watch your students create something beautiful, whatever you call it.

Perfect for younger primary or elementary students, this arrangement brings the beloved carol to life with three engaging elements:

Singing Component: Students learn the traditional lyrics while developing proper singing technique and pitch matching skills. The familiar melody makes this accessible even for students with limited musical experience.

Boomwhacker Performance: Here’s where the magic happens! We’ve actually had this song available for quite a few years, with our whacky christmas song, however this has been updated and refined for this version. Students play along using Boomwhackers  with special animated guides that show exactly when and how to play. This is fantastic for teaching rhythm, coordination, and ensemble playing.

For the first time this year, we’ve introduced a hybrid video where:

1. They play along just with the Boomwhacker Beatz animations.

2. They play along with the Boomwhacker beatz animations, but are also exposed to the music notation.

3. They move to just using the music notation (still with the boomwhacker colours) and can then sing and add other instruments with the boomwhackers.

Ensemble Playing: Once students master the individual parts, they combine singing and playing to create a full classroom performance. It’s incredibly rewarding when they realize they’re making real music together!

Why this works for Christmas music lessons: The song is short, familiar, and achievable for young learners while still teaching essential musical concepts like steady beat, dynamics, and playing in an ensemble.

Please find the resources required for this Christmas music lesson below.

This lesson can be used for grades K, 1 or 2 music classes.

Click the online classroom presentation link below, and bookmark this in your browser so you can use it in your classroom.  Then print the companion PDF sheet music.

Here’s a fun fact: While everyone thinks of “Jingle Bells” as a Christmas song, it was actually written for Thanksgiving! This makes it perfect for extending your holiday music lessons beyond December.

This arrangement includes:

Vocal Performance Track: Students sing the well-known melody while learning about phrasing, breath control, and expression.

Untuned Percussion Parts: There are two rhythm parts that can be played on tambourines, sleigh bells, woodblocks and claves (tapping sticks). These parts are adaptable to whatever instruments you have available in your classroom.

Tuned Percussion Part: This part can be played on any xylophone or glockenspiel, and stays within a five-note range of C-G. This makes it playable by as many students as possible at once. You can adapt this to whatever instruments you have available.

Full Ensemble Experience: When all parts come together, students experience the thrill of being part of a musical ensemble—learning to listen, stay together, and support each other’s parts.

This Christmas music lesson plan for elementary students works beautifully for holiday concerts because the arrangement sounds impressive while being quite achievable with only a few rehearsals.

Please find the resources required for this Christmas music lesson below.

This piece was arranged for the skill level of approximately grades 3 & 4 students. However, the vocal part could certainly by used by any grade level, and the tuned and untuned parts would still work for grade 5 & 6 students.

Click the online classroom presentation link below, and bookmark this in your browser so you can use it in your classroom.  Then print the companion PDF sheet music.

We also have a ukulele version of Jingle bells available.

We’ve saved the best for last for you! This creative re-imagining of the traditional carol starts conventionally but then transforms into jazz, pop/disco, and modern hip-hop variations!

What makes this special:The Element of Surprise: Your audience (and even your students initially) think they’re hearing a traditional performance. Then the arrangement shifts into different contemporary styles with fun lyric adaptations that keep the spirit of the original while adding modern flair.

Diverse Musical Styles: Students learn about:

• Traditional choral singing
• Jazz swing rhythms and syncopation
• Pop/disco beats and groove
• Hip-hop rhythmic patterns and using speaking vs singing voice

Instrumental Parts: Both untuned and tuned percussion parts that change character with each musical style, teaching students about how rhythm and melody adapt across genres.

Why upper elementary students love this: It respects their growing musical sophistication while being genuinely fun. They’re not just performing ‘another Christmas song’ — they’re exploring how music evolves and changes across styles.

Perfect for: Holiday concerts where you want to showcase both traditional and contemporary music education approaches.

Please find the presentations and sheet music required for this Christmas music lesson below.

This piece was arranged for grade 5 and 6 level students.  However, this music could be adapted for any age level, and could be performed by a mixed age group of students.

Click the online classroom presentation link below, and bookmark this in your browser so you can use it in your classroom.  Then print the companion PDF sheet music.

Limited instruments? No problem!

• Use body percussion (clapping, patting, stomping) for rhythm parts
• Create DIY shakers from containers with rice or beans
• Try “found sound” instruments from your classroom

No tuned percussion? Try these alternatives:

• Use boomwhackers or other single-pitch instruments
• Use classroom recorders
• Focus on the vocal and rhythm elements

Christmas elementary music lessons don’t have to add stress to your holiday season:

1. Start simple: Begin with just the singing and add instruments gradually
2. Use a familiar structure: It provides built-in scaffolding so you’re not reinventing the wheel each class
3. Record student progress: Quick videos help with assessment and make great holiday gifts for parents
4. Reuse across years: Once you’ve taught these arrangements, they become easier each year

During the busy holiday season, it’s tempting to just play Christmas music and call it a day. But research shows that active music-making—where students actually sing and play instruments—develops critical skills:

• Musical literacy: Reading rhythms and pitches
• Coordination: Playing instruments requires fine motor control
• Social skills: Ensemble playing teaches listening and cooperation
• Confidence: Successfully performing builds self-esteem
• Cultural awareness: Learning traditional songs connects students to musical heritage

Plus, there’s something special about students creating their own holiday music rather than just listening to it.

Ready to implement these Christmas music lessons? Here’s your quick-start guide:

Before the lesson:

• Choose the grade-appropriate arrangement
• Gather or arrange for instruments (or plan body percussion alternatives)
• Preview the teaching videos if available
• Set up your classroom space for ensemble playing

During the lesson:

• Start with the singing component—everyone can participate
• Introduce rhythm parts gradually
• Introduce tuned percussion part by itself, so students can focus on it
• Celebrate small successes along the way

After the lesson:

• Record or note what worked well
• Identify which students need extra support
• Plan how to build on this lesson next time

There’s nothing quite like watching your students perform at the end-of-year concert—seeing the weeks of practice transform into confident smiles, beautiful music, and proud parents recording every moment.

Will everything be perfect? Of course not! Someone will miss an entrance, a note will go astray, a student will wave at their parents mid-song. But here’s the beautiful truth: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

The slightly off-key singing, the enthusiastic-but-not-quite-together percussion section, the child who’s so excited they play their part twice — these imperfections are part of what makes it real, memorable, and absolutely magical.

That’s the moment these Christmas arrangements are designed to create: not just successful lessons in your classroom, but performances that showcase what your students can truly accomplish. When the final note rings out and the applause begins, you’ll know that every rehearsal, every repetition, every “let’s try that one more time” was worth it.

The most effective Christmas music lesson plans for elementary students share these qualities:

✅ Active participation from all students

✅ Clear, progressive structure

✅ Achievable yet impressive results

✅ Minimal teacher preparation time

✅ Real musical learning embedded in seasonal fun

Whether you’re teaching “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to kindergarteners, “Jingle Bells” to third graders, or the creative “Deck the Halls” variations to sixth graders, remember: the goal is to help students experience the joy of making music together.

These aren’t just Christmas music lessons—they’re opportunities for students to discover their musical abilities, build confidence, and create memories that last well beyond the holiday season.

Here’s something exciting: these three Christmas arrangements are brand new for 2025—we’ve just completed and published them! Because they’re so fresh, we haven’t yet created the complete SING & PLAY experience that Fun Music Company members enjoy with our full curriculum pieces.

When these arrangements are fully integrated into the members area program, they’ll include:

• Full instructional videos breaking down every element of each piece
• Professional vocal recordings so students can hear exactly how each song should sound
• Variable speed music players that let you slow down or speed up the music for practice
• Step-by-step teaching guides with each part carefully broken down for progressive learning

But we didn’t want to wait to share these fantastic arrangements with you! Even in their current form, they’re ready to use and will make your Christmas concert this season a success. And if you’re a Fun Music Company member, keep an eye out—the full enhanced versions with all those teaching tools are coming soon!

Want to stay updated when the complete versions are ready? Join our mailing list by entering your details in the box below or explore the Fun Music Company curriculum program to get access to our complete library of fully-developed SING & PLAY arrangements.

When these arrangements become part of the full Fun Music Company curriculum library, they’ll feature our comprehensive seven-video structure that takes all the guesswork out of teaching:

Request your free curriculum sample pack and discover how we support music teachers with ready-to-teach lessons for every week of the school year.

Janice Tuck

Music Teacher and Creative Director of the Fun Music Company.