Christmas trivia is the easiest party game there is. Nobody needs to get up, it works for any group size, and the arguments over whether Rudolph counts as a “real” reindeer are half the fun.
Below are 50 Christmas trivia questions with answers, split into five rounds: movies, music, traditions around the world, history and fun facts, and Santa’s reindeer. The questions run from easy to “wait, really?”, so they work for families with older kids, a group of friends, or the office party.
Want to skip straight to playing? The free printable has every question on two clean sheets plus a separate answer key for the host.
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How to host Christmas trivia night
You don’t need much: the printable, pens, and something to keep score. Here’s a simple format that keeps things moving.
- Split into teams of 2 to 5. Smaller teams mean everyone gets a say. Give each team a festive name, which is a game in itself.
- Play one round at a time. Read each question aloud twice, then give teams about 30 seconds to write their answer.
- Swap and score. After each round, teams swap answer sheets and mark each other’s while you read the answers. One point per correct answer.
- Add a bonus round. For the final round, let teams wager any number of their points. It keeps the losing team in the game until the very end.
- Give a silly prize. A candy cane trophy, a paper crown, or first pick in the white elephant gift exchange.
Players: 4 to 40Time: 30 to 45 minutesYou need: Printable, pens, a scorekeeper
For mixed ages, let kids answer the movie round out loud for double points. It levels the playing field without making the adult rounds too easy.
50 Christmas trivia questions and answers
Christmas movies (15 questions)
- In Home Alone, where is the McCallister family flying when they leave Kevin behind?
Answer: Paris - What do the burglars in Home Alone call themselves?
Answer: The Wet Bandits - In Elf, what are the four main food groups of elves?
Answer: Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup - In Elf, which famous New York building does Buddy’s dad work in?
Answer: The Empire State Building - What is the name of the department store where Buddy gets a job in Elf?
Answer: Gimbels - What does Ralphie want for Christmas in A Christmas Story?
Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun - In It’s a Wonderful Life, what happens every time a bell rings?
Answer: An angel gets his wings - Which 1947 movie features a court case to prove Kris Kringle is the real Santa?
Answer: Miracle on 34th Street - What is the family’s last name in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?
Answer: Griswold - What is the name of Tim Allen’s character in The Santa Clause?
Answer: Scott Calvin - In The Polar Express, what is the first gift of Christmas the boy receives?
Answer: A sleigh bell - Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King of which town in The Nightmare Before Christmas?
Answer: Halloween Town - What is the name of the Grinch’s dog?
Answer: Max - Who played the Grinch in the 2000 live-action movie?
Answer: Jim Carrey - In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, how many sizes does the Grinch’s heart grow?
Answer: Three
Christmas songs and music (10 questions)
- Which singer released “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 1994?
Answer: Mariah Carey - Which crooner first sang “White Christmas” in the 1942 film Holiday Inn?
Answer: Bing Crosby - What was the first song ever played in space, in December 1965?
Answer: “Jingle Bells” - Who recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958 at just 13 years old?
Answer: Brenda Lee - Which singer-songwriter wrote and recorded “Feliz Navidad” in 1970?
Answer: José Feliciano - In “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” what is given on the fifth day?
Answer: Five golden rings - If you add up every gift in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many are there?
Answer: 364 - In “Frosty the Snowman,” what brings Frosty to life?
Answer: An old silk hat - What lane does Santa come down in the song “Here Comes Santa Claus”?
Answer: Santa Claus Lane - Who composed the music for the ballet The Nutcracker?
Answer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Traditions around the world (10 questions)
- In which country is it a popular tradition to eat KFC on Christmas?
Answer: Japan - Which country sends London a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square every year?
Answer: Norway - Which country is usually credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition?
Answer: Germany - What do British children call Santa Claus?
Answer: Father Christmas - What do Dutch children leave in their shoes for Sinterklaas’s horse?
Answer: Carrots or hay - What is traditionally hidden inside a British Christmas pudding for good luck?
Answer: A silver coin - What is the name of the holiday on December 26 in the UK, Canada, and Australia?
Answer: Boxing Day - In some homes, which ornament is hidden on the tree so the finder gets an extra gift?
Answer: A pickle - How do you say “Merry Christmas” in German?
Answer: Frohe Weihnachten - In which modern-day country was the real Saint Nicholas born?
Answer: Turkey
History and fun facts (10 questions)
- Who wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843?
Answer: Charles Dickens - In A Christmas Carol, what is the name of Scrooge’s late business partner?
Answer: Jacob Marley - Which country are poinsettias native to?
Answer: Mexico - The poinsettia is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett. What was his job?
Answer: The first US minister (ambassador) to Mexico - What color are mistletoe berries?
Answer: White - Which US state was the first to make Christmas an official holiday, in 1836?
Answer: Alabama - In what year did Christmas become a US federal holiday?
Answer: 1870 - Which soda brand’s 1930s ads helped make the jolly red-suited Santa famous?
Answer: Coca-Cola - How many points does a natural snowflake usually have?
Answer: Six - What is the classic flavor of a red-and-white candy cane?
Answer: Peppermint
Santa and his reindeer (5 questions)
- How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” not counting Rudolph?
Answer: Eight - Rudolph was created in 1939 for a coloring book given away by which department store?
Answer: Montgomery Ward - In the 1964 TV special, what is the name of Rudolph’s father?
Answer: Donner - In the 1964 Rudolph special, what does Hermey the elf want to be instead of a toymaker?
Answer: A dentist - Name the reindeer whose name means “lightning” in German.
Answer: Blitzen
Make it a full game night
Trivia pairs well with something more active, so people get up and move between rounds. A few favorites:
- Play a round of Christmas party games for adults between trivia rounds to wake everyone up.
- Hosting kids too? Set them loose on a free printable Christmas scavenger hunt while the grown-ups play.
- End the night with a gift swap. Our white elephant gift ideas cover every budget.
Christmas trivia FAQ
How many questions should a Christmas trivia game have?
For a party, 30 to 50 questions is the sweet spot. That’s about 30 to 45 minutes of play, which leaves time for food and other games. If trivia is the main event, use all 50 and add a tiebreaker.
What’s a good tiebreaker question?
Ask a question with a number for an answer and give the point to the closest guess. For example: if you add up every gift in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many are there? (The answer is 364.)
Can I use these questions for a classroom or office party?
Yes. Every question here is family-friendly. For younger kids, stick to the movies and Santa rounds, and read the answer options out loud as multiple choice.
