Christmas Trivia Questions (Free Printable)

Bring a little friendly competition to your Christmas gathering with this 30-question trivia quiz. There is a gentle warm-up round, a round about festive stories and films, and a round of Christmas traditions from around the world. Play in teams, read the questions aloud, or use the free printable sheets.

The questions and answers are separated so the host can keep the solutions out of sight. Allow about 20-30 minutes for all three rounds. Mixed-age teams work well: some questions are easy for children, while others give adults something to think about.

Download the free Christmas trivia player sheets and answer key (PDF). It is a four-page pack with three player sheets and a separate answer key. No sign-up is needed.

How to Play

Choose one host and split everyone else into teams or individual players.
Print pages 1-3 for each team. Page 4 is the host’s answer key.
Give one point for each correct answer, for a maximum of 30.
Agree on a time limit before starting. About five minutes per round suits a relaxed game.
Collect or swap the sheets before revealing the answers. Accept clear equivalents and minor spelling mistakes.

The printable uses a US Letter layout with generous margins and also fits on A4 paper. Print at Actual size or 100%, centered, to keep the writing lines comfortably spaced. Black-and-white printing works well. For an ink-saving game, let the host read from one copy while teams number an ordinary sheet from 1 to 30.

Preview of two Christmas trivia question sheets for the warm-up and around-the-world rounds — The download includes three question sheets and a separate answer key. Print pages 1-3 for each team.

Want to play directly from this page? Jump to Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3. The answer key comes after all 30 questions.

Round 1: Festive Warm-up

Start with familiar decorations, festive treats, and Santa’s story.

On what date is Christmas Eve?
On what date is Boxing Day observed?
Which Christmas plant is known for prickly green leaves and red berries?
What is the name of the striped Christmas sweet shaped like a walking stick?
What large sock is traditionally hung up for small Christmas gifts?
In familiar Christmas stories, what vehicle does Santa ride through the sky?
Which of Santa's reindeer is famous for a red nose?
How many sides does a typical snow crystal have?
What creamy Christmas drink is traditionally made with milk or cream, eggs, and sugar?
Under which Christmas plant do people traditionally kiss?

Round 2: Christmas Stories and Screen

Think books, films, and a famous festive ballet. The question about Scrooge’s ghosts includes Jacob Marley.

Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
What is Scrooge's first name in A Christmas Carol?
What is the full name of Scrooge's late business partner?
Counting Jacob Marley, how many visiting ghosts appear to Scrooge in A Christmas Carol?
What is the name of the town where the Whos celebrate Christmas in the Grinch story?
What is the first name of the boy left behind in the 1990 film Home Alone?
In the 1990 film Home Alone, Kevin's family travels to which country?
Which Christmas film follows Buddy, a human raised by elves?
Which classic Christmas film follows George Bailey in Bedford Falls?
Which ballet includes the Sugar Plum Fairy?

Round 3: Christmas Around the World

Finish with seasonal customs, a carol, and a few Christmas journeys around the world.

What whole nut is traditionally hidden in the Danish Christmas dessert risalamande?
What does the Danish word jul mean in English?
What is the name of Mexico's nine-night Christmas celebration from December 16 to 24?
In which country does the gift-bringing Befana visit around Epiphany?
How many Yule Lads feature in the familiar modern Icelandic Christmas tradition?
On what December date is Lucia celebrated in Sweden?
In which present-day country was Silent Night first performed in 1818?
Which country gives London the Christmas tree displayed in Trafalgar Square?
Stollen is a Christmas fruit bread associated with which country?
On what January date is Epiphany traditionally observed in many Western Christian calendars?

Christmas Trivia Answers

Finish all three rounds before scrolling through the answers. Each numbered answer matches the question with the same number.

Round 1 Answers: Festive Warm-up

December 24. Christmas Eve is the day before December 25.
December 26. Boxing Day falls on December 26, although a substitute public holiday can fall on another weekday.
Holly. Common holly is a familiar decoration with spiny leaves and red berries.
Candy cane. Its curved end gives this sweet its cane shape.
A stocking. A Christmas stocking can hang by a fireplace, on a bed, or elsewhere in the home.
A sleigh. Santa travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Rudolph. Rudolph is the red-nosed reindeer from the familiar story and song.
Six. Snow crystals commonly show sixfold symmetry; real snowflakes can be irregular or joined together.
Eggnog. Eggnog is the rich seasonal drink described by those ingredients.
Mistletoe. Mistletoe is associated with the kissing custom.

Round 2 Answers: Christmas Stories and Screen

Charles Dickens. Dickens published the story in 1843.
Ebenezer. His full name is Ebenezer Scrooge.
Jacob Marley. Marley's ghost visits Scrooge before the three Christmas spirits.
Four. Count Marley plus the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Whoville. Accept the spelling Who-ville, too.
Kevin. Kevin McCallister is accidentally left at home.
France. The family is taking a Christmas trip to France.
Elf. Buddy is the central character in the 2003 film.
It's a Wonderful Life. George Bailey is the central character in the 1946 film.
The Nutcracker. The Sugar Plum Fairy is a character in The Nutcracker.

Round 3 Answers: Christmas Around the World

An almond. Finding the whole almond brings the almond gift in this Danish tradition.
Christmas. Jul is the Danish word for Christmas.
Las Posadas. The celebrations recall Mary and Joseph's search for lodging.
Italy. Befana is part of Italian folklore associated with the night before January 6.
Thirteen. The modern group of Icelandic Yule Lads numbers thirteen.
December 13. Lucia celebrations in Sweden are associated with December 13.
Austria. It was first performed in Oberndorf, near Salzburg, on Christmas Eve in 1818.
Norway. The tree is a gift from Oslo, Norway.
Germany. Stollen is a German festive bread, with Dresden especially associated with it.
January 6. January 6 is the traditional date; some churches transfer its celebration to a Sunday.

A Tie-Break Question

In what year was A Christmas Carol first published? Ask tied teams to write one year without discussing it with other teams. The closest answer wins; if teams are equally close, they can share the win.

Answer: 1843. Keep the tie-break outside the main 30-point score.

Make the Quiz Work for Your Group

For Younger Children

Use the warm-up round on its own for a ten-question game. Read slowly, repeat the question if needed, and let children join an older teammate. You can offer two possible answers aloud to make a tricky question more approachable, as long as every team gets the same help.

For a Family Gathering

Mix generations across the teams so film knowledge, book knowledge, and knowledge of Christmas customs are shared. Agree before starting whether phones are put away. There is no need for elaborate prizes: letting the winners choose the next game or the first Christmas cracker can be enough.

For a Classroom or Larger Party

Print one set of question sheets per group, appoint a writer, and give a clear signal when each round ends. The whole quiz uses written answers rather than shouting out, which helps quieter players take part. If you reveal answers after each round, keep the later rounds covered until they begin.