The Ultimate Holiday Trivia
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Question 1
Which U.S. Holiday Falls on the Fourth Thursday in November?
Question 1
What Parade in New York City Is Famous for Giant Balloons on Thanksgiving Morning?
Question 1
How Many Nights Does Hanukkah Last?
Question 1
On Which Date Do Many Christians Celebrate Christmas Day?
Question 1
What Do Shoppers Call the Big Retail Day After Thanksgiving in the U. S.?
Question 1
What Color Are the Traditional Leaves of a Holiday Poinsettia Plant?
Question 1
What Is the Name of the Candleholder Used During Hanukkah?
Question 1
Which City Is Known for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop?
Question 1
Which Treat Is Commonly Left for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in the U. S.?
Question 1
What Do People Commonly Decorate Indoors With Lights and Ornaments in December?
Question 1
Which December Holiday Celebrates African American Culture with Seven Core Principles?
Question 1
Which U. S. President Popularized the Annual “Turkey Pardon” Tradition?
Question 1
Which Plant Is Associated with Holiday Kissing Traditions?
Question 1
Which Country Popularized the Modern Christmas Tree in the 19th Century?
Question 1
Which Holiday Often Features Midnight Fireworks Worldwide?
Question 1
Which Iconic Reindeer With a Shiny Red Nose First Appeared in a 1939 Booklet?
Question 1
What Shopping Event Occurs the Monday After Thanksgiving in the U. S.?
Question 1
What Do Families Commonly Place Atop a Christmas Tree?
Question 1
What Do Many People Make at the Start of a New Year?
Question 1
Which Day Is Dedicated to Supporting Local Businesses After Thanksgiving?
Question 1
Which Ballet, Premiered in 1892, Became a U. S. Holiday Staple Much Later?
Question 1
Which Day Encourages Charitable Giving After the Shopping Weekend?
Question 1
Which Carol Was Originally Written for Thanksgiving, Not Christmas?
Question 1
Which December 24 Tradition Involves Attending a Late‑Night Church Service?
Question 1
Which Sweet Cane‑Shaped Candy Is Iconically Red and White?
Question 1
Which U. S. State Hosts the Famous Rose Parade on January 1?
Question 1
What Is Traditionally Recited Before Lighting Hanukkah Candles?
Question 1
What Kind of Pastry Fried in Oil Is Popular During Hanukkah in Israel?
Question 1
Which Scandinavian December Holiday Honors a Saint With Candle Crowns?
Question 1
Which Empire’s Decrees Sparked the Maccabean Revolt Commemorated by Hanukkah?
Question 1
Which 1818 Carol Was First Performed in Oberndorf, Austria, Accompanied by Guitar?
Question 1
What Balancing Game Traditionally Uses Gelt as Prizes?
Question 1
Which Scottish New Year Celebration Features “First‑Footing” for Good Luck?
Question 1
Which December Celebration in Mexico Honors the Journey to Bethlehem With Processions and Songs?
Question 1
Which British Monarch’s Consort Helped Popularize Christmas Trees in Britain?
Question 1
Which January 6 Tradition in Spain Involves Gift‑Giving by Magi Figures?
Question 1
Which Country’s December Gift‑Bringer Arrives by Steamboat or Horse for Sinterklaas?
Question 1
What Candle Colors Commonly Appear on a Kwanzaa Kinara?
Question 1
Which 1955 Mishap Led to NORAD “Tracking Santa” Each Christmas Eve?
Question 1
Which Sweet Bread With Candied Fruit Is a Christmas Staple From Italy?
Question 1
Which Country Celebrates “Omisoka,” Its Traditional New Year’s Eve?
Question 1
Which December 6 Holiday Honors a Bishop Known for Generosity?
Question 1
Which Cuisine’s Potato Pancakes Are a Classic Hanukkah Dish?
Question 1
Which December Holiday Centers on the Yule Log, Historically Burned for Luck?
Question 1
Which Fruit‑Bearing Plant’s Red Berries and Spiky Leaves Are Common Winter Décor?
Question 1
Which Country Marks Boxing Day With Premier League Football and Post‑Holiday Sales?
Question 1
Which Region’s Sparkling Crystal Designs Have Adorned the Times Square Ball?
Question 1
Which Festive German Market Tradition Spread Across Europe and North America?
Question 1
Which Spiced Wine Served Warm Is a Holiday Favorite in Many Countries?
Question 1
Which Country’s “Jul” Celebrations Include a Goat Symbol in Decorations?
Question 1
Which Feast on January 6 Concludes the Western Twelve Days of Christmas?
Question 1
Which Traditional Cake in Germany Is Loaf‑Shaped and Dusted With Sugar?
Question 1
Which Holiday Television Special Popularized a Misfit Reindeer’s Story in 1964?
Question 1
Which Country Originated the Advent Calendar Tradition With Numbered Doors?
Question 1
In a Hanukkiah, What Is the Name of the Helper Candle Used to Light Others?
Question 1
In What Year Did the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball First Drop?
Question 1
Whose Ruling Established Lighting One Additional Hanukkah Candle Each Night?
Question 1
Which German Gingerbread Is Often Heart‑Shaped at Markets?
Question 1
Which New Year’s Food in the U. S. South Symbolizes Wealth and Prosperity?
Question 1
Which Orthodox Christmas Date Corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian Calendar?
Question 1
Which Festive Beverage Combines Eggs, Milk, Sugar, and Spices?
Question 1
Which Country’s “Krampusnacht” on December 5 Features a Horned Figure in Parades?
Question 1
Which Game Uses Spinning Tops With Hebrew Letters During Hanukkah?
Question 1
Which Holiday Baking Tradition Uses a Log‑Shaped Cake Decorated Like Wood?
Question 1
Which Iconic Carol Mentions “Partridges in a Pear Tree”?
Question 1
Which Winter Market Drink Is a Non‑Alcoholic Spiced Alternative to Mulled Wine?
Question 1
Which Country Bakes “Rosca De Reyes” With Hidden Figurines for Epiphany?
Question 1
Which Figure Is Associated With December 13 Light Celebrations in Sweden?
Question 1
Which December Custom in Germany Involves Spiced Cookies Pressed With Carved Molds?
Question 1
Which New Year’s Day Event Involves Cold‑Water Swims for Charity or Tradition?
Question 1
Which Holiday Icon Was Popularized in American Culture by Clement Clarke Moore’s Poem?
Question 1
Which Country Favors Carp as a Traditional Christmas Eve Dish?
Question 1
Which Italian Christmas Eve Feast Celebrates Seafood With Multiple Courses?
Question 1
Which Item Is Traditionally Hidden in British Christmas Puddings?
Question 1
Which December Market Snack Features Roasted Nuts Glazed in Sugar?
Question 1
Which Country’s Children Often Open Gifts on the Evening of December 24?
Question 1
Which Traditional New Year’s Bread in Greece Contains a Hidden Coin for Luck?
Question 1
Which Seasonal Figure in Central Europe Delivers Gifts with an Angel, Contrasting Krampus?
Question 1
What Is the Day After Christmas Known As in the U. K. And Some Commonwealth Countries?
Question 1
What Do the Letters on a Dreidel Traditionally Stand for Outside Israel?
Question 1
Which Pastry‑Shaped Cake with a Hidden Trinket Is Eaten on Epiphany in Many Cultures?
Question 1
What Is the First Day of Kwanzaa?
Question 1
What Is the Traditional New Year’s Song Sung at Midnight in Many English‑Speaking Countries?
1
Thanksgiving
2
Memorial Day
3
Labor Day
4
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving was fixed to the fourth Thursday in November by U.S. law in 1941.
1
Rose Parade
2
Pride March
3
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
4
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s parade began in 1924, later adding signature character balloons that defined its modern spectacle.
1
Four
2
Ten
3
Twelve
4
Eight
Hanukkah commemorates oil that miraculously lasted eight days, so the festival spans eight nights.
1
December 24
2
December 25
3
January 6
4
January 1
Western Christian traditions observe Christmas on December 25, while some Eastern churches follow a different calendar.
1
Cyber Monday
2
Black Friday
3
Super Saturday
4
Giving Tuesday
Black Friday emerged from 1960s Philadelphia slang and grew into the major post‑Thanksgiving sales day.
1
Red
2
Orange
3
Blue
4
Purple
Poinsettias display red bracts rather than petals; the true flowers are small yellow structures in the center.
1
Hanukkiah
2
Candelabrum
3
Chantrium
4
Menorah (Seven‑Branched Temple)
A hanukkiah has nine branches—eight for the nights and one shamash—distinct from the seven‑branched Temple menorah.
1
New York City
2
Paris
3
Tokyo
4
London
Times Square’s ball has descended most years since 1907, becoming a hallmark of New Year’s celebrations.
1
Cheese and Crackers
2
Pretzels and Soda
3
Cookies and Milk
4
Fruit and Tea
American families often leave cookies and milk for Santa as a cheerful tradition of hospitality.
1
Palm Tree
2
Birch Tree
3
Maple Tree
4
Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree became widespread in the 19th century and is now a central seasonal decoration.
1
Kwanzaa
2
Diwali
3
Omisoka
4
Hogmanay
Kwanzaa, created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, emphasizes the Nguzo Saba—seven principles of community and self‑determination.
1
Abraham Lincoln
2
Theodore Roosevelt
3
Harry S. Truman
4
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush formalized the modern turkey pardon in 1989, making it a recurring White House tradition.
1
Mistletoe
2
Lilac
3
Ivy
4
Holly
Mistletoe’s folklore links to Norse myths and fertility; kissing beneath it became a festive British custom.
1
Italy
2
Greece
3
Germany
4
Spain
German tree traditions spread widely, especially after royal adoption in Victorian Britain.
1
Boxing Day
2
Saint Nicholas Day
3
New Year’s Eve
4
Thanksgiving
New Year’s Eve fireworks symbolize ushering in a fresh year with light, sound, and communal celebration.
1
Comet
2
Dasher
3
Rudolph
4
Vixen
Rudolph was created for a Montgomery Ward booklet, later immortalized by song and television specials.
1
Monster Monday
2
E‑Deal Day
3
Cyber Monday
4
Super Sunday
The term “Cyber Monday” was popularized in 2005 to describe a spike in online shopping after Thanksgiving.
1
Bell
2
Mitten
3
Candy Cane
4
Star or Angel
Stars reference Bethlehem’s star; angels symbolize messengers, both popular as tree toppers.
1
Excuses
2
Predictions
3
Invoices
4
Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions trace to ancient pledges of personal improvement at the year’s turning.
1
Giving Tuesday
2
Savings Sunday
3
Local Monday
4
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to patronize local retailers, complementing larger Black Friday chains.
1
Giselle
2
Swan Lake
3
The Nutcracker
4
Coppélia
Balanchine’s 1954 production helped cement “The Nutcracker” as an American holiday tradition.
1
Giving Tuesday
2
Generous Friday
3
Wallet Wednesday
4
Share Sunday
Giving Tuesday promotes philanthropy and community support following Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
1
Jingle Bells
2
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
3
Joy to the World
4
Deck the Halls
“Jingle Bells” was composed in 1857 for a Thanksgiving performance before becoming associated with Christmas.
1
Morning Matins
2
Evensong
3
Midnight Mass
4
Noon Vespers
Midnight Mass commemorates the Nativity, with congregations gathering late on Christmas Eve.
1
Candy Cane
2
Peppermint Disk
3
Cherry Twist
4
Licorice Rod
Candy canes became Christmas staples with red‑and‑white stripes and a shepherd’s‑crook shape.
1
Texas
2
Florida
3
California
4
New York
Pasadena, California hosts the Tournament of Roses Parade with elaborate floral floats and bands.
1
“Happy Hanukkah”
2
Blessings (Brachot) Over the Candles
3
“Shalom Aleichem”
4
“Hanerot Halalu” Hymn
Before lighting, Jews recite blessings over the candles; Shehecheyanu is added on the first night only.
1
Beignets
2
Krapfen
3
Churros
4
Sufganiyot
Sufganiyot are jelly‑filled doughnuts fried in oil, symbolizing the miracle of the oil’s endurance.
1
Saint Olaf Day
2
Walpurgis Night
3
Saint Lucia Day
4
Midsummer
Saint Lucia Day on December 13 features candle‑crown processions celebrating light during winter darkness.
1
Roman
2
Seleucid
3
Persian
4
Carthaginian
Hanukkah recalls the Maccabees’ revolt against Seleucid rule and the Temple’s rededication in 164 BCE.
1
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
2
Silent Night
3
O Come, All Ye Faithful
4
O Holy Night
“Silent Night” debuted on Christmas Eve in Oberndorf, with music by Franz Gruber and lyrics by Joseph Mohr.
1
Tiddlywinks
2
Dreidel
3
Jackstraws
4
Pick‑Up Sticks
Dreidel’s spinning outcomes determine wins, and chocolate coins—gelt—are often used as playful rewards.
1
Burns Night
2
Beltane
3
Samhain
4
Hogmanay
Hogmanay’s first‑footer tradition welcomes the first guest after midnight bearing gifts for prosperity.
1
La Tomatina
2
Día de Velitas
3
La Mercè
4
Las Posadas
Las Posadas reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging through neighborhood processions and gatherings.
1
Prince Edward
2
Prince Albert
3
Prince Philip
4
Prince George
Prince Albert’s influence in the 1840s helped popularize decorated Christmas trees in Victorian society.
1
Three Kings’ Day
2
La Feria
3
Día de los Muertos
4
Saint George’s Day
Epiphany features parades and gifts, emphasizing the Magi’s visit to the Christ child.
1
Poland
2
Netherlands
3
Switzerland
4
Norway
Dutch Sinterklaas customs include arrivals by boat, parades, and gifts on the evening of December 5.
1
Four Blue, Three Gold
2
Two Purple, Five White
3
Seven White
4
Three Red, One Black, Three Green
Kwanzaa’s kinara colors represent struggle, the people, and hope in Pan‑African symbolism.
1
Misprinted Phone Number
2
Airport Alert
3
Radio Interference
4
Telegraph Error
A Sears ad misprinted Santa’s number, connecting callers to NORAD and beginning the annual tradition.
1
Pulla
2
Babka
3
Stollen
4
Panettone
Panettone, originally from Milan, features a domed shape and airy crumb with candied fruits and raisins.
1
Thailand
2
Japan
3
Korea
4
China
Omisoka includes housecleaning, soba noodles, and shrine or temple visits to welcome the new year.
1
Saint George’s Day
2
Saint Andrew’s Day
3
Saint Patrick’s Day
4
Saint Nicholas Day
Saint Nicholas Day celebrates the fourth‑century bishop whose gift‑giving inspired Santa traditions.
1
Rösti
2
Arepas
3
Latkes
4
Okonomiyaki
Latkes are fried in oil to recall the miracle and are served with applesauce or sour cream.
1
Michaelmas
2
Yule
3
Fasnacht
4
Carnival
Yule has Germanic roots; the Yule log symbolically brought warmth and protection during winter’s darkest nights.
1
Rowan
2
Holly
3
Cranberry Bush
4
Buckthorn
Holly’s evergreen leaves and red berries symbolize endurance and festivity on wreaths and garlands.
1
Hungary
2
Sweden
3
England
4
Portugal
In the U.K., Boxing Day pairs shopping with sport, including traditional Premier League fixtures.
1
Bavaria, Germany
2
Waterford, Ireland
3
Bohemia, Czechia
4
Murano, Italy
The Times Square ball has often used Waterford crystal panels themed with motifs of hope and renewal.
1
Night Bazaar
2
Mercado Central
3
Souk
4
Christkindlmarkt
Christkindlmarkts feature crafts, mulled wine, and seasonal foods from German‑speaking regions.
1
Port Flip
2
Sangria
3
Mulled Wine
4
Claret Cup
Mulled wine warms red wine with spices and citrus, enjoyed at winter markets and gatherings.
1
Sweden
2
Romania
3
Ireland
4
Malta
Sweden’s Jul traditions include the Gävle Goat and straw goats as emblematic decorations.
1
Candlemas
2
Epiphany
3
Assumption
4
Ascension
Epiphany commemorates the Magi’s visit and traditionally ends the Twelve Days from December 25 through January 5.
1
Strudel
2
Kugelhopf
3
Lebkuchen
4
Stollen
Stollen is studded with fruit and marzipan and dusted with powdered sugar symbolizing winter snow.
1
Frosty the Snowman
2
Rudolph the Red‑Nosed Reindeer
3
The Snowy Day
4
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The 1964 stop‑motion special cemented Rudolph’s cultural status beyond the original booklet and song.
1
Germany
2
Italy
3
France
4
Switzerland
Advent calendars began in 19th‑century Germany, evolving from chalk marks to printed and chocolate‑filled windows.
1
Ner Tamid
2
Shamash
3
Pesilah
4
Or Zahav
The shamash sits higher or apart and lights the others; it is not counted among nights.
1
1907
2
1925
3
1912
4
1899
The inaugural 1907 ball drop replaced fireworks, beginning a Times Square tradition still observed today.
1
Hillel
2
Gamliel
3
Akiva
4
Shammai
Following Hillel’s view, Jews add one candle nightly to publicize the miracle’s growing light.
1
Spekulatius
2
Lebkuchen
3
Printen
4
Pfeffernüsse
Lebkuchen ranges from soft to crisp and is sometimes decorated with icing messages at markets.
1
Sushi Rolls
2
Corn Dogs
3
Lamb Chops
4
Black‑Eyed Peas
Black‑eyed peas with greens on New Year’s Day symbolize coins and cash for prosperity.
1
December 25 (Julian)
2
January 1 (Julian)
3
December 24 (Julian)
4
January 6 (Julian)
Some Orthodox churches following the Julian calendar observe Christmas on January 7 Gregorian.
1
Eggnog
2
Ayran
3
Horchata
4
Lassi
Eggnog is a rich holiday drink, sometimes spiked, with nutmeg or cinnamon for seasonal flavor.
1
Portugal
2
Finland
3
Austria
4
Denmark
Krampusnacht showcases costumed figures accompanying Saint Nicholas as part of Alpine winter folklore.
1
Teetotum
2
Beyblade
3
Dreidel
4
Koma
The dreidel’s letters determine play outcomes and derive from historical spinning‑top games.
1
Bûche de Noël
2
Sachertorte
3
Mille‑Feuille
4
Tarte Tatin
The French Yule log cake resembles a wooden log, often adorned with meringue “mushrooms” and chocolate bark.
1
The Twelve Days of Christmas
2
Ding Dong Merrily on High
3
Coventry Carol
4
Good King Wenceslas
The carol lists accumulating gifts, traditionally counted from December 25 to January 5.
1
Mulled Cider
2
Root Beer Punch
3
Ginger Ale Toddy
4
Malt Milk
Mulled cider warms apple juice with spices, offering a family‑friendly seasonal beverage.
1
Romania
2
Norway
3
Morocco
4
Mexico
Rosca de Reyes features candied fruit and hidden charms; finders may host future celebrations.
1
Saint Ursula
2
Saint Brigid
3
Saint Lucia
4
Saint Agnes
Saint Lucia processions emphasize bringing light during winter darkness, with participants wearing white and candle crowns.
1
Spekulatius
2
Biscotti
3
Linzer
4
Sablés
Spekulatius dough is pressed into carved molds, creating detailed festive designs.
1
Polar Bear Plunge
2
Midnight Row
3
Frost Float
4
Ice Skim
Polar Bear Plunges see participants dive into chilly waters to celebrate or raise funds.
1
The Grinch
2
Santa’s Nighttime Visit
3
Father Time
4
Jack Frost
“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” shaped Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, chimney travel, and jolly demeanor.
1
Poland
2
Ireland
3
Greece
4
Spain
Polish Wigilia dinners often feature fried carp, beet soup, and shared wafers symbolizing unity.
1
Feast of Three Kings
2
Feast of the Seven Fishes
3
Feast of Lanterns
4
Feast of Grapes
Italian‑American traditions feature seven seafood dishes on Christmas Eve, reflecting abstinence from meat.
1
Bean
2
Coin
3
Button
4
Thimble
A hidden silver coin symbolizes luck and prosperity for whoever finds it in their serving.
1
Cashew Clusters
2
Candied Almonds
3
Pistachio Bark
4
Peanut Brittle
Candied almonds, or gebrannte Mandeln, perfume stalls with caramelized sugar and spice aromas.
1
Australia
2
Canada
3
Kenya
4
Germany
In Germany, the Bescherung gift‑giving takes place on Christmas Eve with family gatherings.
1
Koulouri
2
Vasilopita
3
Paximadi
4
Tsoureki
Vasilopita is sliced on New Year’s or Saint Basil’s Day; the coin brings good fortune.
1
Saint Stephen
2
La Befana
3
Father Christmas
4
Saint Nicholas
In Alpine regions, Saint Nicholas appears with an angel distributing treats, while Krampus serves as the warning counterpart.
1
Saint Stephen’s Day
2
Gifts Day
3
Off‑Box Day
4
Boxing Day
Boxing Day on December 26 historically involved giving boxes of gifts or donations to tradespeople and the needy.
1
“Let the Spinning Begin”
2
“A Great Miracle Happened There”
3
“Joy and Peace for All”
4
“Festival of Lights Today”
Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin reference the phrase about the miracle of Hanukkah’s oil.
1
King Cake
2
Charlotte
3
Panettone
4
Sachertorte
King cake traditions on January 6 celebrate Epiphany; finding the trinket often bestows duties or luck.
1
December 31
2
December 26
3
December 24
4
January 2
Kwanzaa runs December 26 to January 1, each day highlighting one of the seven guiding principles.
1
Old Folks at Home
2
Auld Lang Syne
3
Danny Boy
4
God Save the King
“Auld Lang Syne,” popularized by Robert Burns, is sung to mark the passing of the old year.
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From cozy winter traditions to festive foods, decorations, and famous holiday movies, this cheerful quiz covers it all. Test how well you really know holiday history, fun facts, and seasonal surprises. Are you ready to unwrap some trivia?
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