55 Christmas Traditions Around the World Trivia Questions
Christmas is a celebration that transcends borders, blending unique customs, delicious foods, and heartfelt traditions from every corner of the globe. Whether it’s the enchanting Christmas markets of Germany, the colorful piñatas of Mexico, or the warmth of Australia’s summer festivities, each country brings its own flavor to this magical season.
This trivia page is your ticket to exploring how Christmas is celebrated worldwide. With 55 fun and intriguing questions, you’ll learn about fascinating holiday rituals, iconic symbols, and the diverse ways people embrace the joy of Christmas. From the Yule Lads of Iceland to the festive parols of the Philippines, this trivia challenge will inspire and delight.
Gather your friends and family, pour a cup of hot cocoa (or eggnog!), and test your knowledge of Christmas traditions across cultures. Let’s travel the world, one question at a time, and celebrate the beautiful diversity of this special holiday! ✨
Section 1: European Christmas Traditions
- In Germany, what is the name of the traditional Christmas markets?
a) Weihnachtsmarkt
b) Christkindlmarkt
c) Krampusmarkt
d) Festmarkt - Which country is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition?
a) Austria
b) Germany
c) Switzerland
d) Denmark - Who is the Christmas figure that accompanies St. Nicholas in Austria to punish naughty children?
a) Krampus
b) Perchten
c) Knecht Ruprecht
d) Belsnickel - What do children in the Netherlands leave out for Sinterklaas’s horse?
a) Carrots and hay
b) Cookies and milk
c) Shoes filled with candy
d) Apples - What traditional dessert is eaten in Italy during Christmas?
a) Stollen
b) Panettone
c) Mince pies
d) Pavlova - In Iceland, how many “Yule Lads” visit children during the Christmas season?
a) 5
b) 9
c) 13
d) 21 - What famous figure brings gifts to children in the UK on Christmas Eve?
a) Father Christmas
b) Santa Claus
c) St. Nicholas
d) Kris Kringle - What is the name of the Ukrainian tradition of decorating Christmas trees with spider webs?
a) Cobweb Christmas
b) Magical Webs
c) Weaver’s Christmas
d) Christmas Spiders - In Spain, what is the name of the Christmas lottery known as the largest in the world?
a) La Navidad Lotería
b) El Gordo
c) El Regalo Grande
d) Feliz Suerte - In Sweden, what giant animal made of straw is built each year for Christmas?
a) Goat
b) Reindeer
c) Bear
d) Fox
Section 2: North and South American Christmas Traditions
- What Christmas tradition is central to many Mexican celebrations?
a) La Posada
b) El Camino
c) Nochebuena
d) Las Mañanitas - In Canada, what group of people is known for the Christmas tradition of mummering?
a) Indigenous Canadians
b) Newfoundlanders
c) French Canadians
d) Acadians - What sweet treat is often enjoyed during American Christmas celebrations?
a) Candy canes
b) Stollen
c) Marzipan
d) Trifle - What Venezuelan tradition involves roller skating to Christmas Mass?
a) Skating to Bethlehem
b) Misa de Patinaje
c) Patinatas
d) Paseo Navideño - What is the name of the traditional Brazilian Christmas dinner?
a) Ceia de Natal
b) Jantar de Natal
c) Mesa de Navidad
d) Natal Banquete - What is the Spanish-speaking Christmas Eve celebration called?
a) Nochebuena
b) Noche Santa
c) Día de Navidad
d) Fiesta de Navidad - In Puerto Rico, what festive drink is similar to eggnog?
a) Coquito
b) Horchata
c) Piña Colada de Navidad
d) Leche Dulce - In the United States, what day marks the start of the Christmas shopping season?
a) Thanksgiving Day
b) Black Friday
c) Small Business Saturday
d) Cyber Monday - In Argentina, what time do families typically begin their Christmas Eve dinner?
a) 5 PM
b) 7 PM
c) 10 PM
d) Midnight - In Chile, what is the name of the traditional fruitcake served at Christmas?
a) Panettone
b) Pan de Pascua
c) Fruitado
d) Dulce de Navidad
Section 3: Asian and Oceanic Christmas Traditions
- In Japan, what food is traditionally eaten on Christmas?
a) Sushi
b) Fried chicken
c) Noodles
d) Tempura - In the Philippines, what is the name of the nine-day series of Masses leading up to Christmas?
a) Nochebuena
b) Misa de Gallo
c) Simbang Gabi
d) Paschal Vigil - What is the traditional greeting in Australia during Christmas?
a) Merry Christmas
b) G’day Christmas
c) Happy Holidays, Mate
d) Joyous Noel - What kind of weather is associated with Christmas in New Zealand?
a) Snow
b) Tropical storms
c) Summer heat
d) Mild rain - What is the Christmas tree alternative used in some parts of India?
a) Banana trees
b) Palm trees
c) Coconut trees
d) Bamboo stalks
Section 4: European Christmas Traditions
- In Norway, what item is traditionally hidden to prevent witches from stealing it on Christmas Eve?
a) Candles
b) Brooms
c) Bells
d) Bread - What is the name of the festive bread eaten in Germany during Christmas?
a) Babka
b) Stollen
c) Challah
d) Focaccia - In France, what is the name of the Yule log cake traditionally served during Christmas?
a) Buche de Noël
b) Galette des Rois
c) Croquembouche
d) Tarte Tatin - What happens in Finland on Christmas Eve in honor of peace?
a) A declaration of Christmas peace
b) A public candle-lighting ceremony
c) A nationwide moment of silence
d) Singing of hymns - In Poland, what is the name of the Christmas Eve dinner with 12 meatless dishes?
a) Wigilia
b) Pączki Feast
c) Oplatek Supper
d) Gospoda
Section 5: North and South American Christmas Traditions
- In the United States, which popular holiday tradition was introduced by German immigrants?
a) Decorating Christmas trees
b) Hanging stockings
c) Singing carols
d) Gift-giving - What is the name of the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas music performed with guitars and maracas?
a) Parrandas
b) Salsa Navideña
c) Canciones de Navidad
d) Trovadores - What U.S. city is known for its annual Christmas boat parade?
a) New York City
b) Newport Beach, California
c) Miami, Florida
d) Seattle, Washington - In Mexico, what type of flowers are used as a traditional Christmas decoration?
a) Poinsettias
b) Marigolds
c) Roses
d) Lilies - What is a traditional decoration used during Las Posadas in Mexico?
a) Paper lanterns
b) Piñatas
c) Wreaths
d) Garlands - In Peru, what is the name of the Christmas Eve celebration involving a feast and fireworks?
a) Nochebuena
b) Misa de Gallo
c) La Navidad Andina
d) Fiesta de la Luz - In Cuba, what is the traditional Christmas dish called?
a) Lechón Asado (roast pig)
b) Tamales
c) Pasteles
d) Empanadas - What is unique about Christmas celebrations in Oaxaca, Mexico, during the “Night of the Radishes”?
a) Radishes are carved into intricate sculptures
b) Radish wreaths are displayed
c) Families exchange radish-based recipes
d) A radish harvest festival takes place - In Colombia, what is the name of the Christmas tradition involving lighting candles on December 7?
a) La Noche de Luces
b) El Día de las Velitas
c) Las Luces de Navidad
d) Fiesta de las Luminarias - What is the name of the Brazilian Santa Claus?
a) Papa Noel
b) Pai Natal
c) Señor Navidad
d) Viejito Pascuero
Section 6: Asian and Oceanic Christmas Traditions
- In India, what is the term for homemade Christmas sweets often exchanged among families?
a) Kuswar
b) Mithai
c) Dulce
d) Jalebi - In South Korea, what day is Christmas most similar to in terms of celebration style?
a) Valentine’s Day
b) Halloween
c) Thanksgiving
d) Easter - In the Philippines, what are the colorful star-shaped lanterns displayed during Christmas called?
a) Parols
b) Estrellas
c) Luminarias
d) Faroles - What gift is commonly given to children in Japan during Christmas?
a) Toys
b) Money
c) Sweet treats
d) Clothes - What is the name of the traditional Tongan Christmas feast?
a) Umu
b) Taro Supper
c) Lu’au
d) Lovo - In Australia, what popular activity often takes place on Christmas Day?
a) Beach barbecues
b) Ice skating
c) Building snowmen
d) Skiing - What religious event do Christians in Lebanon celebrate alongside Christmas?
a) Epiphany
b) Saint Barbara’s Day
c) Holy Week
d) Good Friday - In Samoa, what is the name of the community-based Christmas tradition where families come together for storytelling?
a) Tatau Talofa
b) Lotu Tamaiti
c) Taualuga Nights
d) Tala Christmas - What holiday food is a favorite in New Zealand during Christmas?
a) Pavlova
b) Lamingtons
c) Anzac biscuits
d) Mince pies - In Papua New Guinea, what unique twist do Christmas celebrations often include?
a) Tribal dances with festive costumes
b) Christmas swims in rivers
c) Decorating palm trees
d) Candlelit vigils on mountaintops
Section 7: Miscellaneous Christmas Traditions
- What unusual tradition is celebrated in Catalonia, Spain, involving a “pooping log”?
a) Tió de Nadal
b) El Árbol Mágico
c) Fiesta de Loga
d) La Trufa Navidad - In South Africa, what unusual food is sometimes served during Christmas?
a) Fried caterpillars
b) Ostrich steaks
c) Grilled locusts
d) Crocodile soup - What is the name of the Icelandic tradition where people exchange books on Christmas Eve?
a) Bókaflóð (Book Flood)
b) Jólabókaflóð
c) Saga Night
d) Jólalög - What is a traditional Irish Christmas decoration made of holly and berries?
a) Holly Wreath
b) Holly Candle
c) Holly Cross
d) Holly Star - In Greenland, what unusual Christmas dish is made from raw whale skin and blubber?
a) Mattak
b) Kiviak
c) Narwhal Stew
d) Arctic Bites
Answers
Section 1: European Christmas Traditions
- b) Christkindlmarkt
- b) Germany
- a) Krampus
- a) Carrots and hay
- b) Panettone
- c) 13
- a) Father Christmas
- d) Christmas Spiders
- b) El Gordo
- a) Goat
Section 2: North and South American Christmas Traditions
- a) La Posada
- b) Newfoundlanders
- a) Candy canes
- c) Patinatas
- a) Ceia de Natal
- a) Nochebuena
- a) Coquito
- b) Black Friday
- c) 10 PM
- b) Pan de Pascua
Section 3: Asian and Oceanic Christmas Traditions
- b) Fried chicken
- c) Simbang Gabi
- a) Merry Christmas
- c) Summer heat
- a) Banana trees
Section 4: European Christmas Traditions (Continued)
- b) Brooms
- b) Stollen
- a) Buche de Noël
- a) A declaration of Christmas peace
- a) Wigilia
Section 5: North and South American Christmas Traditions (Continued)
- a) Decorating Christmas trees
- a) Parrandas
- b) Newport Beach, California
- a) Poinsettias
- b) Piñatas
- a) Nochebuena
- a) Lechón Asado
- a) Radishes are carved into intricate sculptures
- b) El Día de las Velitas
- a) Papa Noel
Section 6: Asian and Oceanic Christmas Traditions (Continued)
- a) Kuswar
- a) Valentine’s Day
- a) Parols
- b) Money
- a) Umu
- a) Beach barbecues
- b) Saint Barbara’s Day
- d) Tala Christmas
- a) Pavlova
- a) Tribal dances with festive costumes
Section 7: Miscellaneous Christmas Traditions
- a) Tió de Nadal
- a) Fried caterpillars
- b) Jólabókaflóð
- b) Holly Candle
- a) Mattak