What are good Christmas trivia questions for a party?

Mix difficulties. A few easy questions to warm the room up, a few medium ones to make people think, two or three hard ones to crown a winner, plus a round on traditions from other countries.

How many Christmas trivia questions should a quiz have?

Twenty to thirty for a family quiz, forty to fifty for a longer evening with rounds. The set below gives you forty grouped by difficulty and theme.

What's a classic Christmas trivia question?

“What was the first gift mentioned in The Twelve Days of Christmas?” The answer is a partridge in a pear tree — always a crowd warmer.

Trivia and quizzes

Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers

Cozy Christmas trivia setup with notebook, pens, mugs and pine garland

Quick answer

Forty Christmas trivia questions grouped by difficulty and theme. Tap “Show answer” on any question. Looking for a fuller game? Pair this with our interactive Christmas quiz or explore the Christmas Traditions Explorer.

Easy round

What date is Christmas Day?
Show answer
December 25.
What colour is Santa's suit, traditionally?
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Red and white.
What do children leave out for Santa in many countries?
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Milk and cookies.
What is the night before Christmas called?
Show answer
Christmas Eve.
Which reindeer has a red nose?
Show answer
Rudolph.
What plant do people kiss under at Christmas?
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Mistletoe.
What's the name of the snowman who came to life with a magic hat?
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Frosty.
What's on top of a Christmas tree, traditionally?
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A star or an angel.

Medium round

How many ghosts visit Scrooge in A Christmas Carol?
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Four — Marley plus the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
In what country did the gingerbread house tradition begin?
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Germany, popularised after the Brothers Grimm's Hansel and Gretel.
Who wrote The Night Before Christmas?
Show answer
It is most commonly attributed to Clement Clarke Moore (1823).
Which Christmas carol contains the line “let nothing you dismay”?
Show answer
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
What was the first gift given in The Twelve Days of Christmas?
Show answer
A partridge in a pear tree.
Which country is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition?
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Germany.
What spice is most associated with Christmas baking alongside cinnamon and nutmeg?
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Cloves.
In which decade did Coca-Cola's red-suited Santa adverts begin?
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The 1930s.

Hard round

What is the literal meaning of the word “Christmas”?
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“Christ's Mass” — from Old English Crīstesmæsse.
Which country sends the UK a giant Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square every year?
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Norway.
What is the most-streamed Christmas song of all time?
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Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
In Iceland, instead of one Santa, how many Yule Lads visit children?
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Thirteen.
What's the name of the cat from Icelandic folklore who eats children without new clothes for Christmas?
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The Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn).
Which monarch gave the first televised Christmas broadcast in the UK?
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Queen Elizabeth II, in 1957.
What does “Boxing Day” actually refer to?
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Boxes of gifts and money traditionally given to servants and the poor the day after Christmas.
Which composer wrote The Nutcracker?
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Christmas around the world

In which country do families traditionally eat KFC for Christmas dinner?
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Japan.
In Sweden, what is the central Advent celebration on December 13 called?
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St Lucia's Day.
In Italy, who delivers gifts to children on January 5?
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La Befana, a friendly witch.
What is the German Christmas market season known as?
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Weihnachtsmärkte (or Christkindlmarkt).
In the Philippines, what are the star-shaped Christmas lanterns called?
Show answer
Paról.
In Mexico, what is the nine-night re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter called?
Show answer
Las Posadas.
In Norway, why do some families hide their brooms on Christmas Eve?
Show answer
Folklore says witches and evil spirits come out and might steal them.
Which country celebrates Christmas on January 7 (Orthodox calendar)?
Show answer
Russia, among others.

For more, browse Christmas around the world or open the Traditions Explorer.

Food and traditions

What's the traditional Christmas dessert in the UK, set alight at the table?
Show answer
Christmas pudding.
What is the Italian Christmas sweet bread with raisins and candied fruit?
Show answer
Panettone.
In France, what's the rolled chocolate Christmas log dessert called?
Show answer
Bûche de Noël.
What spice gives mulled wine its classic warm aroma?
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Cinnamon (with cloves and star anise).
What's the Polish Christmas Eve meatless soup made with fermented rye?
Show answer
Żurek (or sometimes red borscht with uszka).
What German Christmas bread is dusted heavily with icing sugar to symbolise the swaddled Christ child?
Show answer
Stollen.
What's the meat most commonly eaten for Christmas dinner in the United States?
Show answer
Roast turkey or ham.
What's the name of the Mexican Christmas drink made with rice, cinnamon and milk?
Show answer
Atole or champurrado (close cousins to horchata).

Dig deeper in our guide to Christmas food around the world.

How to run a Christmas quiz night

Print the questions, split into teams of three or four, score one point per correct answer and two for the hardest round. Read the answers at the end of each round instead of straight away — it keeps the energy up. For more laughs between rounds, dip into our Christmas jokes.

Frequently asked questions

What are good Christmas trivia questions for a party?: Mix difficulties. A few easy questions to warm the room up, a few medium ones to make people think, two or three hard ones to crown a winner, plus a round on traditions from other countries.
How many Christmas trivia questions should a quiz have?: Twenty to thirty for a family quiz, forty to fifty for a longer evening with rounds. The set below gives you forty grouped by difficulty and theme.
What's a classic Christmas trivia question?: “What was the first gift mentioned in The Twelve Days of Christmas?” The answer is a partridge in a pear tree — always a crowd warmer.