Christmas Trivia Questions
Christmas is the season of twinkling lights, cozy cocoa, endless carols, and way too many sugar cookies. It’s also the perfect time to show off your Christmas knowledge with a little trivia fun.
Whether you’re gathered around the dinner table with family, hosting a holiday party with friends, or keeping kids entertained while waiting for Santa, Christmas trivia is a cheerful way to sprinkle in some extra laughs and “Aha, I never knew that!” moments.
So grab a candy cane, put on your favorite Christmas sweater and get ready to test your holiday smarts. I’ve put together a big batch of Christmas trivia questions, fun facts, and even some quirky traditions from around the world. By the time you’re done, you’ll be the reigning champ of Christmas trivia night!
Why Christmas Trivia is So Much Fun
Trivia is so fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80, everyone has a chance to shine. Some folks are walking encyclopedias of Christmas movies, while others know their way around holiday food or Santa’s reindeer.
It’s also great because trivia games can be as short or as long as you want. You can do a quick 10-question round after dinner, or keep it going all night with team play, buzzers, or even prizes (I suggest candy canes or chocolate Santas, because who doesn’t want those?).
Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers
Here’s a collection of Christmas trivia you can use with your family, friends, coworkers, or even as a fun game with your kids. I’ve broken them down into different categories so you can pick and choose depending on your crowd.
Santa Claus Trivia
- Question: What are the names of Santa’s eight reindeer?
Answer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. - Question: Which reindeer is famous for having a red nose?
Answer: Rudolph, of course! - Question: Santa is known as “Père Noël” in which country?
Answer: France. - Question: In what year did Coca-Cola first use Santa Claus in their Christmas advertisements?
Answer: 1931. - Question: What does Santa traditionally say when he laughs?
Answer: “Ho, Ho, Ho!” - Question: What do kids in the Netherlands call Santa Claus?
Answer: Sinterklaas. - Question: What snack do children in the UK often leave out for Santa instead of cookies?
Answer: Mince pies - Question: In what country is Santa known as “Julenissen”?
Answer: Norway. - Question: What color was Santa’s suit often shown as before Coca-Cola popularized the red one?
Answer: Green. - Question: According to tradition, where does Santa land his sleigh when visiting homes?
Answer: On the roof.
Christmas Traditions Trivia
- Question: What do people traditionally place at the top of a Christmas tree?
Answer: A star or an angel. - Question: What country is credited with starting the tradition of the Christmas tree?
Answer: Germany. - Question: In the UK, what is found inside Christmas crackers?
Answer: A paper hat, a toy or trinket, and a joke. - Question: What is the name of the sweet bread enjoyed in Italy at Christmas?
Answer: Panettone. - Question: In Japan, a popular tradition is to eat what fast food on Christmas?
Answer: KFC (yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken!). - Question: What traditional Christmas drink is also known as “milk punch”?
Answer: Eggnog. - Question: In which country do people hide brooms on Christmas Eve to keep witches away?
Answer: Norway.
Christmas Music Trivia
- Question: What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
Answer: “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. - Question: In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the fifth day?
Answer: Five golden rings. - Question: Which Christmas song begins with “You better watch out, you better not cry”?
Answer: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” - Question: Who recorded the hit Christmas song All I Want for Christmas Is You in 1994?
Answer: Mariah Carey. - Question: In Frosty the Snowman, what made Frosty come to life?
Answer: An old silk hat.
Christmas Movies Trivia
- Question: In Home Alone, where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind?
Answer: Paris. - Question: In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what is the Grinch’s dog’s name?
Answer: Max. - Question: In Elf, what is the first rule of The Code of Elves?
Answer: “Treat every day like Christmas.” - Question: In It’s a Wonderful Life, what happens every time a bell rings?
Answer: An angel gets its wings. - Question: In The Polar Express, what word does the conductor punch into the boy’s ticket?
Answer: Believe.
Winter & Holiday Fun Facts
- Question: What is the most popular Christmas tree topper in the U.S.?
Answer: An angel. - Question: Which country is the world’s largest exporter of Christmas trees?
Answer: Canada. - Question: What red and white plant is often used as a Christmas decoration?
Answer: Poinsettia. - Question: In what modern-day country was St. Nicholas born?
Answer: Turkey. - Question: What is the name of the famous ballet performed during the Christmas season?
Answer: The Nutcracker.
Fun Christmas Trivia for Kids
Kids love trivia when it’s silly and fun, plus, it keeps them busy while waiting for cookies to bake or Santa to arrive.
- What color is Santa’s suit? (Red)
- Who helps Santa make toys? (Elves)
- What do you hang by the fireplace for Santa to fill with goodies? (Stockings)
- What snack do kids often leave out for Santa? (Milk and cookies)
- What kind of hat does Frosty the Snowman wear? (A top hat)
Fun Facts You Can Impress Your Friends With
- The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed was in Seattle, Washington, in 1950. It was 221 feet tall!
- Jingle Bells was the first song played in space. Astronauts played it in 1965 on a harmonica.
- In Iceland, children don’t just get one Santa, they get 13! They’re called the “Yule Lads,” and each one leaves a gift (or rotten potatoes if you’ve been naughty).
- The first artificial Christmas trees were made in Germany using dyed goose feathers.
- Candy canes were invented in Germany in the 1600s and were originally straight sticks of sugar.
- The world’s largest Christmas stocking was over 168 feet long and 70 feet wide, big enough to hold almost 1,000 presents!
- The tradition of hanging stockings comes from a legend about St. Nicholas dropping gold coins down a chimney, which landed in socks drying by the fire.
- The song Jingle Bells was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas.
- Candy canes were originally all white, the red stripes came later in the early 1900s.
- In Venezuela, it’s traditional to roller-skate to early morning Christmas mass. Streets are even closed to cars so everyone can skate safely.
- The abbreviation “Xmas” isn’t new, “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, the first letter of Christ.
- Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday in the United States until 1870.
- In Finland, it’s common for families to visit saunas together on Christmas Eve as part of the tradition.
- The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City is usually around 75–100 feet tall and decorated with more than 50,000 lights.
- “Silent Night” has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects around the world.
How to Use This Christmas Trivia
- Family Gatherings: Print out a list of questions, divide into teams, and play after dinner.
- Classroom Fun: Teachers can use these trivia questions to bring some festive fun into the last school week before break.
- Office Parties: Trivia is perfect for an icebreaker or just a way to add some laughs during lunch.
- Kids’ Parties: Keep the questions simple, and offer candy canes or stickers as prizes.
A Few Tips for Hosting a Christmas Trivia Game
- Mix it up: Use a blend of easy and tricky questions so everyone has a chance to shine.
- Add prizes: Even small prizes like Christmas cookies or ornaments make the game more exciting.
- Keep score fun: Instead of just tallying points, give teams funny holiday names like “The Snowballers” or “Team Fruitcake.”
- Get festive: Play holiday music in the background to set the mood.
Whether you’re challenging your family to a trivia showdown, sprinkling in a few fun facts at the dinner table, or just testing your own knowledge, this little holiday game is guaranteed to add some sparkle to your celebrations.
