Diverse Winter Holiday Songs for Elementary Music

Are you searching for diverse winter holiday songs to use in your elementary music classroom or for a school program? Incorporating a variety of holiday songs offers the perfect opportunity to teach and learn about different cultures. Our school district has emphasized the importance of including songs from various religious and cultural traditions for many years.

Given the current social climate, promoting understanding and respect for other cultures is more important than ever. Winter holiday programs provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the rich diversity of our communities.

The dates for the Diwali vary each year as they follow the lunar calendar. It usually falls in October or November. Unfortunately, the Diwali song I previously used has been removed. After searching extensively, I found this YouTube link to another song that highlights Diwali traditions.

Note: If you plan to use this video in class, be sure to preload it or use a tool like SafeShare to skip any commercials.

• Diwali – Festival of Lights, National Geographic, 3:05

Finding a quality Ramadan song for classroom use is challenging. This song by Nancy Stewart is both tasteful and beautiful. The song promotes inclusion while introducing basic Ramadan traditions through its lyrics. In the final refrain, the words change slightly to emphasize friendship: “Ramadan, Ramadan, my friend celebrates Ramadan.”

Best of all, this lovely song with mp3 accompaniments is available for free!

• Full Performance mp3
• Accompaniment mp3

Thank you Nancy for sharing your talents so generously.

“Burn Little Candles” is a simple yet musical song highlighting Hanukkah traditions. The arrangement includes differentiated Orff accompaniments, for grades K-5. The Orff activities offer attainable performance options for early elementary students while challenging upper elementary students.

All grades will enjoy lighting the digital Hanukkah candles and learning about Hanukkah traditions.

Click to listen to a recording of the arrangement in the video preview.

“Mary Had a Baby” is a simple and beautiful Christmas song, perfect for your music classroom or winter holiday program. This versatile Orff arrangement works well in both school and church settings.

The arrangement features differentiated activities for grades K-5. The bongo ostinato pattern challenges older students, while simpler ostinati provide successful performance activities for younger students.

The following performance activities are included.

• Song
• 2 pitched ostinato patterns
• 2 unpitched ostinato patterns
• Interactive rhythm flashcards.

“African Noel” is a lively and energetic winter holiday song featuring differentiated activities for grades K-5. It can be used to celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa, making it a versatile addition to your holiday program.

These lessons offer achievable performance options for younger students while providing a challenge for older ones. This arrangement is an ideal performance piece for both school and church settings.

The following activities are included.

• Song
• 2 unpitched percussion parts
• 2 pitched percussion parts
• Simple step-dance for younger students

Gung Hay Fat Choy translates as “wishing you good fortune and happiness.” Once again, Nancy Stewart has crafted a beautiful tasteful song for Chinese New Year and is sharing it FREE of charge.

• Full Performance mp3
• Accompaniment mp3

One of my school parents told me this song touched her so much, that it brought tears to her eyes.

Tip: To avoid all the giggles and snickers from singing the word “fat”, I admit I change the word to “fa” with the same short “a” sound. We simply left off the “t”. This small change ensures that students are focused on the beautiful message of the song and not being silly about the lyrics.