Christmas
Quiz
50 multiple-choice Christmas quiz questions across 5 categories - from classic knowledge and movie trivia to expert-level challenges. Play the interactive game or browse all questions with answers below.
Test Your
Christmas Knowledge
Pick a difficulty, answer 20 questions, and see how you stack up. Every round is different.
Looking for the ultimate Christmas quiz? You've found it. We've put together 50 multiple-choice Christmas quiz questions and answers covering everything from classic holiday knowledge and iconic movie moments to chart-topping music trivia, expert-level challenges, and festive traditions from around the globe. Play the interactive game above for a scored experience, or scroll down to browse all questions with answers - perfect for hosting your own quiz of Christmas at parties, dinners, and game nights.
General Christmas Knowledge
The essential Christmas quiz questions everyone should know - from holiday origins and traditions to Santa lore and festive firsts.
Which country is credited with starting the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
Germany
16th-century Germans first decorated fir trees with candles, nuts, and apples.
What does the name "Rudolph" mean in old Germanic?
Famous wolf
Rudolph comes from the Germanic "Hruodolf" meaning "famous wolf."
How many reindeer pull Santa's sleigh (including Rudolph)?
9
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph make nine.
What plant is traditionally kissed under at Christmas?
Mistletoe
The tradition of kissing under mistletoe dates back to Norse mythology.
Which real person is Santa Claus based on?
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek bishop known for his generosity in Myra (modern-day Turkey).
What colour suit did Santa originally wear before Coca-Cola's marketing campaigns?
Green
Before the Coca-Cola campaigns of the 1930s, Santa was often depicted wearing green, tan, or blue.
In "The Twelve Days of Christmas," what is given on the seventh day?
Swans a-swimming
Seven swans a-swimming is the gift on the seventh day of Christmas.
Which US state was the first to declare Christmas an official holiday?
Alabama
Alabama became the first US state to officially recognize Christmas as a holiday in 1836.
What is the most popular Christmas tree topper?
A star
The star represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three wise men.
When was the first commercial Christmas card sent?
1843
Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in London in 1843.
Christmas Movie Quiz
Think you know your Christmas movies? From beloved classics to modern favourites, test your knowledge of the silver screen's most festive moments.
In "Home Alone," where are the McCallisters going on holiday when they leave Kevin behind?
Paris
The McCallister family was heading to Paris for Christmas when they accidentally left Kevin at home.
What is the name of the main character in "Elf" (2003)?
Buddy
Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, a human raised by elves at the North Pole.
In "The Polar Express," what is the first gift of Christmas?
A silver bell
Santa gives the boy a silver bell from his sleigh - the first gift of Christmas.
Which classic Christmas film features the line "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings"?
It's a Wonderful Life
The famous quote comes from the 1946 Frank Capra film "It's a Wonderful Life."
What does the Grinch steal from the Whos in Whoville?
Everything related to Christmas
The Grinch steals presents, food, decorations, and even the roast beast.
In "Die Hard," what building does the action take place in?
Nakatomi Plaza
Bruce Willis's John McClane battles terrorists in Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
In "Love Actually," what song does Bill Nighy's character record for Christmas?
Christmas Is All Around
Billy Mack records "Christmas Is All Around" - a Christmas reworking of "Love Is All Around."
What is Scrooge's first name in "A Christmas Carol"?
Ebenezer
Charles Dickens named his famous miser Ebenezer Scrooge.
In "The Nightmare Before Christmas," what is Jack Skellington's title?
The Pumpkin King
Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.
What is the name of the Grinch's loyal dog?
Max
Max is the Grinch's faithful dog who is forced to pull the overloaded sleigh.
Christmas Music Quiz
From timeless carols to chart-topping pop hits, how well do you know the soundtrack of the season?
"Jingle Bells" was originally written for which holiday?
Thanksgiving
James Lord Pierpont wrote the song in 1857 for a Thanksgiving church concert.
Who sang "All I Want for Christmas Is You"?
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey released the hit in 1994, and it has since become the best-selling Christmas single by a female artist.
Which Christmas song holds the record for the best-selling single of all time?
White Christmas
Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since 1942.
In "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," what do the other reindeer not let Rudolph do?
Join in any reindeer games
The lyrics say "They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games."
Which band performed "Last Christmas"?
Wham!
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley recorded "Last Christmas" as Wham! in 1984.
"Silent Night" was originally written in which language?
German
Franz Xaver Gruber composed "Stille Nacht" in Austria in 1818 with lyrics by Joseph Mohr.
What Christmas song was the first to be broadcast from space?
Jingle Bells
Gemini 6 astronauts played "Jingle Bells" on a harmonica and bells in space in 1965.
Which British band released "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for charity?
Band Aid
Band Aid, organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, released the charity single in 1984.
In "The Twelve Days of Christmas," how many total gifts are given?
364
Adding up all the gifts from all twelve days gives a total of 364 presents.
Who wrote the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"?
Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane wrote it for the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis," performed by Judy Garland.
Hard Christmas Quiz
Only true Christmas experts will ace this round. Obscure facts, tricky details, and deep-cut knowledge - this is the ultimate festive challenge.
In what year was the first known Christmas celebration held in Rome?
AD 336
The first recorded Christmas celebration was on December 25, AD 336, in Rome during the reign of Constantine.
What was the original title of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"?
A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas
The full title emphasises that it's a ghost story - a genre Dickens loved.
Which country banned Christmas celebrations from 1647 to 1660?
England
Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans banned Christmas festivities in England, considering them sinful and wasteful.
What is the Feast of Stephen, referenced in "Good King Wenceslas"?
December 26
The Feast of Stephen (St. Stephen's Day) is December 26, also known as Boxing Day.
The Krampus, a horned figure who punishes naughty children, originates from which region?
Alpine Europe
Krampus originates from Alpine folklore in Austria, Bavaria, and surrounding regions.
How long did the real journey of the Magi (Three Wise Men) likely take?
Up to two years
Biblical scholars estimate the Magi arrived up to two years after Jesus's birth, based on Herod's decree.
Which Pope officially declared December 25 as the birth of Jesus?
Pope Julius I
Pope Julius I officially set the date in AD 350, though celebrations had begun before this decree.
The word "Noel" comes from which language?
French
"Noël" is French, likely derived from the Latin "natalis" (birthday), referring to the birth of Christ.
Which country introduced the tradition of the Advent calendar?
Germany
The first printed Advent calendar was produced in Germany in 1908 by Gerhard Lang.
What percentage of the Earth's wrapping paper is estimated to be thrown away each Christmas?
About 50%
Roughly half of all wrapping paper ends up in landfill because it's often not recyclable due to dyes and coatings.
Christmas Around the World
Discover the wonderfully diverse ways people celebrate Christmas across different countries and cultures.
In Japan, what is the traditional Christmas Eve meal for many families?
KFC fried chicken
A hugely successful 1974 marketing campaign made KFC the go-to Christmas meal in Japan.
In which country do children leave shoes (not stockings) out for presents?
The Netherlands
Dutch children leave their shoes by the fireplace for Sinterklaas on December 5.
What do Australians often do on Christmas Day because it falls in summer?
Have a barbecue on the beach
With temperatures often above 30°C, Australians celebrate with outdoor barbecues and beach trips.
In Iceland, how many Yule Lads visit children before Christmas?
13
Thirteen Yule Lads arrive one per night starting December 12, each with a distinct personality.
What do people in Catalonia hide in their Christmas nativity scenes?
A small figure called El Caganer
El Caganer (the defecator) is a figure traditionally hidden in Catalan nativity scenes since the 17th century.
In which country is a witch called La Befana said to deliver presents?
Italy
La Befana visits Italian children on the eve of Epiphany (January 5–6) with sweets or coal.
What do Scandinavians traditionally hide in their Christmas rice pudding?
An almond
Whoever finds the whole almond wins a prize, traditionally a marzipan pig.
In Venezuela, what unusual mode of transport do people use to get to Christmas morning mass?
Roller skates
In Caracas, people roller skate to early morning Christmas mass - roads are even closed to cars for safety.
The giant straw Yule Goat (Gävlebocken) is a tradition in which country?
Sweden
The Gävle Goat has been erected in Gävle, Sweden since 1966 and has been burned down by vandals many times.
In Poland, how many dishes are traditionally served at the Christmas Eve feast (Wigilia)?
12
The 12 dishes represent the twelve apostles - and all must be meatless.
The Best Christmas Quiz Questions for Your Holiday Party
A well-crafted Christmas quiz is the secret weapon of any great holiday party. Unlike passive entertainment, a quiz pulls everyone in - from the know-it-all uncle to the kids who are convinced they've watched enough Christmas movies to dominate. The key is variety: mix easy crowd-pleasers ("How many reindeer does Santa have?") with a few curveballs from the hard round to keep things competitive.
The 50 Christmas quiz questions on this page are designed exactly for this purpose. We've balanced accessible general knowledge with specialist rounds - movies, music, and world traditions - so no single type of expertise guarantees a win. Use the interactive game above for a quick-fire digital round, or read the questions aloud from the cards below. Either way, you've got a ready-made quiz night with zero preparation needed.
How to Use This Christmas Quiz with Answers
There are two ways to enjoy this Christmas quiz with answers. First, hit "Start Quiz" above to play the interactive version - you'll get 20 randomly selected questions, immediate feedback on each answer, and a final score. Choose "Easy" for movie and music questions, "Hard" for the expert and world rounds, or "Mixed" for the full 50-question pool. Hit "Play Again" to shuffle a completely new set.
Second, browse the static Christmas quiz questions and answers below. Each card shows the question and four options - tap "Reveal Answer" to see which is correct and read the explanation. This format is perfect for a quizmaster reading questions aloud at a party, or for anyone who just wants to learn something new about Christmas. Print the page, bookmark it, or share individual questions - they're all here.
Funny Christmas Quiz Ideas for Any Occasion
Want to turn up the fun? Try these twists on the standard funny Christmas quiz format. Run a "speed round" using the interactive game on a projector - teams race to answer before time runs out. Or play "bet your points" - teams wager their accumulated score on a single hard question. For family gatherings, let the youngest player be quizmaster for one round (their dramatic question readings are always the highlight).
The questions here naturally lend themselves to laughter: discovering that Santa originally wore green, that "Jingle Bells" was written for Thanksgiving, or that Venezuelans roller skate to Christmas mass always gets a reaction. Mix in your own inside-joke questions about family traditions and you've got a Christmas quiz that people will genuinely look forward to next year.