Free Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers
100 Christmas trivia questions on movies, carols, Santa, food and traditions around the world, from easy kids questions to hard ones. Play right here, print a quiz with an answer key, or send a round to the group chat. Free, no sign-up.
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Questions and Answers
All 100 Christmas trivia questions and answers
Every question in the game above, with its answer. Kids questions come first in each topic, then family, then hard. Reading them out loud? Hide the answers first.
Christmas history and traditions trivia
Which country is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we know it today? Kids
Answer: Germany. German families brought evergreen trees indoors and decorated them, and German immigrants later carried the custom to America.
Who wrote the story "A Christmas Carol"? Kids
Answer: Charles Dickens. Dickens wrote the short novel in just a few weeks, and it has never been out of print.
In "A Christmas Carol," what is the name of the grumpy old miser visited by ghosts? Kids
Answer: Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley and then by three spirits of Christmas.
By tradition, people kiss when they meet under which plant? Kids
Answer: Mistletoe. Mistletoe grows on trees and takes water and nutrients from them.
Which royal couple helped make Christmas trees popular in Britain in the 1840s? Family
Answer: Victoria and Albert. A picture of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children around a decorated tree at Windsor Castle started a craze for Christmas trees.
The poinsettia is named after Joel Poinsett, the first US minister to which country? Family
Answer: Mexico. Poinsett sent the plants home to South Carolina in the 1820s. In the US, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.
Who put up the very first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in 1931? Family
Answer: Construction workers. Workers building the complex decorated a small balsam fir with cranberry strings, paper garlands and tin cans. The first official tree followed in 1933.
Boxing Day, a holiday in the UK, Canada and Australia, falls on which date? Family
Answer: December 26. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas. The United States does not observe it as a holiday.
On what date is Epiphany, also called Three Kings Day, traditionally celebrated? Family
Answer: January 6. In many Spanish-speaking countries, children receive gifts from the Three Kings on this day.
The "X" in "Xmas" comes from a letter in which alphabet? Family
Answer: Greek. X stands for the Greek letter chi, the first letter of the Greek word for Christ.
The famous Christmas Truce of 1914 happened during which war? Family
Answer: World War I. Along parts of the Western Front, soldiers stopped fighting, sang carols and swapped small gifts in no man's land.
The first electrically lit Christmas tree (1882) was made by a partner of which inventor? Family
Answer: Thomas Edison. Edward H. Johnson wired 80 red, white and blue bulbs on a tree at his New York City home.
Early tinsel, said to date to Germany around 1610, was first made from what? Family
Answer: Shredded silver. Real silver tarnished quickly, so makers later switched to other shiny materials, and today most tinsel is plastic.
How many Sundays are there in Advent in most Western churches? Family
Answer: Four. An Advent wreath usually holds four candles, one for each Sunday.
The word "Advent" comes from a Latin word meaning what? Family
Answer: Coming. It comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning coming or arrival.
In what year was "A Christmas Carol" first published? Hard
Answer: 1843. It went on sale in London on 19 December 1843 and sold out by Christmas Eve.
Who commissioned the first commercially sold Christmas cards in London in 1843? Hard
Answer: Sir Henry Cole. The card was illustrated by the artist John Callcott Horsley.
In what year did Christmas become a federal holiday in the United States? Hard
Answer: 1870. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the law on June 28, 1870. At first it applied to federal workers in Washington, D.C.
From 1659 to 1681, celebrating Christmas was against the law in which American city? Hard
Answer: Boston. Under Puritan law in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, anyone caught showing Christmas spirit could be fined five shillings.
Which US president lit the first National Christmas Tree in 1923? Hard
Answer: Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge pressed a button on December 24, 1923, to light a tree on the Ellipse near the White House.
Christmas movie trivia
In "Home Alone," where is Kevin's family flying when they accidentally leave him behind? Kids
Answer: Paris. Kevin McCallister was played by Macaulay Culkin in the 1990 film.
In "Home Alone 2," which city does Kevin end up in by himself? Kids
Answer: New York City. His family flew to Miami, Florida, while Kevin ended up at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
In "The Polar Express," what does Santa give the boy as the first gift of Christmas? Kids
Answer: A sleigh bell. Only people who truly believe can hear the bell ring.
What is the name of the Grinch's dog? Kids
Answer: Max. The Grinch dresses up as Santa and brings Max along when he sneaks into Whoville.
In Dr. Seuss's Grinch story, where do the Whos live? Kids
Answer: Whoville. The Grinch lives on a mountain above Whoville.
In "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King of which place? Kids
Answer: Halloween Town. Jack discovers Christmas Town and decides to take over Christmas.
In "A Charlie Brown Christmas," what kind of tree does Charlie Brown pick? Kids
Answer: A small real tree. Lucy wanted a big pink aluminum tree, but Charlie Brown chose a little sapling.
In "The Muppet Christmas Carol," which Muppet plays Bob Cratchit? Kids
Answer: Kermit the Frog. Michael Caine plays Scrooge, and Gonzo narrates as Charles Dickens.
In the 1969 cartoon "Frosty the Snowman," what brings Frosty to life? Kids
Answer: A magic hat. The hat belonged to a clumsy magician named Professor Hinkle.
In "Home Alone," what do burglars Harry and Marv call themselves? Family
Answer: The Wet Bandits. Harry was played by Joe Pesci and Marv by Daniel Stern.
Which actor plays Buddy in the movie "Elf"? Family
Answer: Will Ferrell. Buddy crawled into Santa's sack as a baby and was raised by elves at the North Pole.
Who plays George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Family
Answer: James Stewart. The 1946 film was directed by Frank Capra.
In "It's a Wonderful Life," what is Clarence the angel trying to earn? Family
Answer: His wings. At the end of the film, little Zuzu explains that when a bell rings, an angel has earned its wings.
In "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947), Kris Kringle works as Santa at which store? Family
Answer: Macy's. Kris first gets noticed when he steps in as Santa for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In "A Christmas Story," what gift does Ralphie want more than anything? Family
Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun. His mother, his teacher and even a department store Santa all warn him that he will shoot his eye out.
Which actor plays the conductor in the 2004 movie "The Polar Express"? Family
Answer: Tom Hanks. Hanks played several roles in the film, including the conductor and Santa Claus.
In "Elf," which actor plays Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs? Hard
Answer: James Caan. Bob Newhart plays Papa Elf, the elf who raises Buddy at the North Pole.
Which actor won an Oscar for playing Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)? Hard
Answer: Edmund Gwenn. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Who directed "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)? Hard
Answer: Henry Selick. Tim Burton produced the film and wrote the poem it is based on, but Henry Selick directed it.
In the Netflix movie "Klaus" (2019), postman Jesper is sent to which town? Hard
Answer: Smeerensburg. Klaus was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Christmas song and carol trivia
In "The Twelve Days of Christmas," what is given on the first day? Kids
Answer: A partridge in a pear tree. The oldest known printed version appeared in a London children's book around 1780.
In "The Twelve Days of Christmas," how many golden rings are given? Kids
Answer: Five. The golden rings arrive on the fifth day.
In the song, how does Rudolph help Santa on a foggy Christmas Eve? Kids
Answer: He guides the sleigh. His glowing red nose lights the way for Santa's reindeer team.
In "The Little Drummer Boy," what does the boy give as his gift? Kids
Answer: He plays his drum. The song was written in 1941 by Katherine Kennicott Davis under the title "Carol of the Drum."
Which song did astronauts on Gemini 6 play from orbit in December 1965? Family
Answer: Jingle Bells. Wally Schirra played a tiny harmonica while Tom Stafford shook sleigh bells.
Who wrote the song "White Christmas"? Family
Answer: Irving Berlin. Bing Crosby's recording became one of the most famous Christmas songs ever.
"Silent Night" was first performed in 1818 in a village in which country? Family
Answer: Austria. It was first sung in Oberndorf on Christmas Eve 1818, with a guitar playing along.
The tune of "Deck the Halls" comes from which country? Family
Answer: Wales. The melody comes from "Nos Galan," a Welsh New Year's Eve carol.
Who sang the 1994 hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You"? Family
Answer: Mariah Carey. She co-wrote it with Walter Afanasieff for her album "Merry Christmas."
Who recorded "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" in 1958? Family
Answer: Brenda Lee. She was a child star when she recorded it in Nashville, and the song was written by Johnny Marks.
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" was written during what kind of weather? Family
Answer: A heat wave. Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne wrote it in Hollywood on one of the hottest days of the year. The lyrics never mention Christmas.
Who wrote and first recorded "Feliz Navidad" in 1970? Family
Answer: José Feliciano. Feliciano is a singer-songwriter from Puerto Rico.
Which band released "Last Christmas" in 1984? Family
Answer: Wham!. The song was written and produced by Wham! member George Michael.
The German carol "O Tannenbaum" is about what? Family
Answer: A fir tree. In English it is usually sung as "O Christmas Tree."
What was the original title of "Jingle Bells" when it was published in 1857? Hard
Answer: The One Horse Open Sleigh. It was written by James Lord Pierpont, and its lyrics never mention Christmas.
"White Christmas" was first sung in which 1942 movie? Hard
Answer: Holiday Inn. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The movie "White Christmas" came later, in 1954.
Who co-wrote "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) with Bob Wells? Hard
Answer: Mel Tormé. They wrote it in the mid 1940s, trying to stay cool on a hot summer day. Nat King Cole made it famous.
"Carol of the Bells" is based on a folk song from which country? Hard
Answer: Ukraine. It comes from "Shchedryk," a Ukrainian New Year song by Mykola Leontovych. English words were added in 1936.
Santa and reindeer trivia
Which of these is NOT one of Santa's reindeer? Kids
Answer: Sparkle. The classic eight are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, and Rudolph came later.
In the poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," how many reindeer pull Santa's sleigh? Kids
Answer: Eight. The poem, first called "A Visit from St. Nicholas," describes eight tiny reindeer.
Where does Santa Claus traditionally live? Kids
Answer: The North Pole. Santa is said to have a workshop at the North Pole.
Who helps Santa make toys in his workshop? Kids
Answer: Elves. Christmas elves are said to live with Santa at the North Pole and act as his helpers.
The name "Santa Claus" comes from the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas. What is it? Family
Answer: Sinterklaas. The name came into American English from the Dutch Sinterklaas, and New York writers in the early 1800s helped shape him into the American Santa.
Saint Nicholas was bishop of Myra, a town in what is now which country? Family
Answer: Turkey. Myra is today the town of Demre in Antalya Province. His relics were later taken to Bari, Italy.
On what date is Saint Nicholas Day celebrated in Western countries? Family
Answer: December 6. In many European countries, children get small treats in their shoes or stockings on this day.
Which military organization tracks Santa's sleigh every Christmas Eve? Family
Answer: NORAD. The tradition began in 1955 at a Colorado air defense center, and NORAD took it over in 1958.
In the 1964 TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," what does Hermey the elf want to be? Family
Answer: A dentist. Hermey and Rudolph visit the Island of Misfit Toys together.
Rudolph was created in 1939 for a free booklet from which store? Hard
Answer: Montgomery Ward. Copywriter Robert L. May wrote the story. His brother-in-law Johnny Marks later turned it into the song.
What postal code does Canada Post use for letters to Santa? Hard
Answer: H0H 0H0. It reads like "Ho ho ho" when you read the zeros as the letter O.
Cartoonist Thomas Nast drew famous early pictures of Santa for which magazine? Hard
Answer: Harper's Weekly. His Santa first appeared on the cover of Harper's Weekly in January 1863.
Christmas food trivia
The French Christmas cake called bûche de Noël is shaped like what? Kids
Answer: A log. It is a rolled sponge cake decorated to look like a small Yule log.
Eggnog is made with milk, sugar and which ingredient that is in its name? Kids
Answer: Eggs. It is often topped with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg or cinnamon.
What flavor is a classic red and white candy cane? Kids
Answer: Peppermint. In the 1950s, a Catholic priest named Gregory Keller invented a machine that bent candy canes into their hook shape.
In the fairy tale, which animal finally eats the Gingerbread Man? Kids
Answer: A fox. The Gingerbread Man outruns everyone else until he meets the clever fox.
Panettone, the tall Christmas bread full of dried fruit, comes from which Italian city? Family
Answer: Milan. It is a sweet yeast bread filled with raisins and candied orange and citron.
Decorated gingerbread houses first became popular in which country? Family
Answer: Germany. They became popular in Germany in the 1800s, around the time the Brothers Grimm published Hansel and Gretel.
Mince pies, a British Christmas treat, are mostly filled with what today? Family
Answer: Dried fruit and spices. Mincemeat once contained meat, but modern mincemeat is made of dried fruit, apples, nuts and spices.
In Britain, what is often poured over a Christmas pudding and set on fire? Family
Answer: Brandy. A silver coin was often hidden inside, and whoever found it was said to have good luck.
The Italian-American "Feast of the Seven Fishes" is eaten when? Family
Answer: Christmas Eve. It comes from the Catholic custom of not eating meat on the night before Christmas.
The fruit bread stollen is most closely tied to which German city? Hard
Answer: Dresden. Dresden stollen carries a special seal and is sold at the city's Striezelmarkt Christmas market.
Which queen is credited with serving the first gingerbread men, shaped like her guests? Hard
Answer: Elizabeth I. Gingerbread figures made at her court were modeled on some of her important visitors.
"Stir-up Sunday," five Sundays before Christmas, is the traditional day to make what? Hard
Answer: Christmas pudding. The name comes from a Church of England prayer that begins "Stir up, we beseech thee."
Christmas around the world trivia
In Australia, Christmas comes during which season? Kids
Answer: Summer. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so many families spend Christmas Day at the beach or outdoors.
What do children in France call Santa Claus? Kids
Answer: Père Noël. French children leave their shoes by the fireplace for Père Noël to fill.
In the UK, what do people pull apart at Christmas dinner that goes "bang"? Kids
Answer: A Christmas cracker. Inside there is usually a paper crown, a small toy and a joke.
"Feliz Navidad" means "Merry Christmas" in which language? Kids
Answer: Spanish. José Feliciano made it the title of his famous 1970 song.
At Las Posadas parties in Mexico, what do children break open? Kids
Answer: A piñata. A traditional Posadas piñata is often shaped like a star with seven points.
In Japan, many families eat Christmas fried chicken from which restaurant chain? Kids
Answer: KFC. An advertising campaign in the 1970s turned it into a national Christmas custom.
In Italy, how does La Befana travel when she brings gifts on the night of January 5? Kids
Answer: On a broomstick. Good children get sweets and naughty ones get coal, which is often black rock candy.
In the Netherlands, how does Sinterklaas arrive each November? Kids
Answer: By steamboat. He is said to sail in from Spain, and children leave a carrot in their shoe for his horse.
On St. Lucia Day in Sweden, what does the girl playing Lucia wear on her head? Kids
Answer: A crown of candles. St. Lucia Day is December 13, and saffron buns called lussekatter are served.
In Iceland, what do children leave on the windowsill for the Yule Lads to fill? Kids
Answer: A shoe. There are thirteen Yule Lads, and naughty children may find a rotten potato instead.
Rovaniemi, home of Santa Claus Village, is in which country? Family
Answer: Finland. The village sits in Lapland, and a painted line marks the Arctic Circle.
In Alpine folklore, which horned creature punishes naughty children on December 5? Family
Answer: Krampus. Krampus travels with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved children.
Las Posadas, held from December 16 to 24, is a tradition mainly from which country? Family
Answer: Mexico. For nine nights, people re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay.
In Poland, the Christmas Eve dinner traditionally starts when what appears? Family
Answer: The first star. The Wigilia meal often has twelve dishes, and an extra place is set for an unexpected guest.
The star-shaped Christmas lantern called a parol comes from which country? Family
Answer: The Philippines. The Philippines is often said to have the longest Christmas season in the world, starting in September.
On which date does the Russian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas? Family
Answer: January 7. The church follows the older Julian calendar, where December 25 falls on January 7.
Since 1947, which country has given London a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square? Hard
Answer: Norway. The tree from Oslo is a thank-you for Britain's help to Norway during World War II.
Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, named on Christmas Day 1643, belongs to which country? Hard
Answer: Australia. Captain William Mynors named it after sighting it on December 25, 1643.
How It Works
How to host a christmas trivia game
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Play on a screen
Pick the level and topic, then play one question at a time on a phone, a laptop or the TV. The score keeps itself.
Print it for the table
Print the round with a name and score line for each player. The answer key prints on its own page for the host.
Send it to the group
Download the round as one image, with the answers in small print at the bottom, and share it in the family or office chat.
Ideas
Tips for a fun trivia night
Small touches that keep the whole table playing.
01
Play in teams
Teams of three to five keep shy players in the game and stop one know-it-all from running away with it.
02
Mix the levels
Let kids answer the Kids questions and adults the Hard ones, then add the scores together. Everyone gets a turn.
03
Read the fact out loud
After each answer, read the extra fact. It turns a quiz into a conversation, and people remember it.
04
Small prizes, big laughs
A treat for each round winner and a bigger prize at the end keeps everyone playing to the last question.
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