We are glad you’re here… because we’re holding the ultimate celebration of summer — right in this post!
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, picnicking at the beach, or just soaking up the sun in your backyard, we’ve got the perfect companion to add a dash of fun to your sunny days. Get ready for a trivia adventure that spans books, songs, movies, and everything summer-related.
In this article, we’ve curated a whopping 150+ fun and fascinating summer trivia questions that cover a wide range of topics. From iconic summer cocktails and state fair foods to stargazing facts and famous festivals around the world, our trivia will test every ounce of your knowledge!
Ever wondered about the tallest roller coaster in the world or the most famous jazz festival in the world? Or perhaps you’re keen on testing your knowledge about classic summer novels, hit songs, and blockbuster movies. We’ve got it all covered!
So, we invite you to challenge your friends/family to see how much you all REALLY know about the sunny season. Are you a summer fanatic or struggling to swim in the vast pool of summer knowledge?
Don’t miss out on the chance to impress your pals with random summer facts, or maybe discover a new favorite summer song or book along the way. Ready to put your random knowledge to the test?
Looking for a summer trivia that’s perfect for kids? You can find that right here!
Before we get started — we invite you to bookmark or save some of these other summer-related trivia quizzes for later!
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Summer Trivia Questions And Answers
What month is National Ice Cream Month, instituted by Ronald Reagan in 1984?
Answer: July
The country that consumes the most ice cream is ____, followed by Australia then Norway.
Answer: The USA
Which movie is widely considered to be the first summer blockbuster?
Answer: Jaws. Released on June 20, 1975, Jaws went on the become the first film to gross more than $100 million at the box office.
Which theme park, located in Anaheim, California, is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth”?
Answer: Disneyland
What is the name of the iconic wooden roller coaster located at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York?
Answer: Cyclone
True or false: The first roller coaster in America opened on Coney Island.
Answer: True. The first roller coaster in America opened on Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York in 1884.
In which European city can you find the theme park known as Europa Park, one of the largest and most popular in the world?
Answer: Rust, Germany
Which Caribbean island is home to Atlantis Paradise Island, a resort with a renowned water park called Aquaventure?
Answer: The Bahamas
What deep-fried treat, commonly found at state fairs, is made by dipping a whole Twinkie in batter before frying it?
Answer: Deep-Fried Twinkie
Which U.S. state is famous for its “Pronto Pups,” a popular fair food made by dipping a hot dog in cornmeal batter and frying it?
Answer: Minnesota
What is the name of the dessert made by stacking layers of ice cream and funnel cake, often found at state fairs?
Answer: Funnel Cake Ice Cream Sandwich
In which state fair did the famous “Fried Butter” make its debut, featuring butter balls coated in a sweet dough and deep-fried?
Answer: Texas State Fair
Which famous American author penned the novel “The Great Gatsby,” which is set in the summer of 1922?
Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald
What country is credited with inventing ice cream?
Answer: China. Buffalo, cow, and goat milk was heated and allowed to ferment. This ‘yogurt’ was then mixed with flour for thickening, camphor for flavor, and ‘refrigerated’ before being served.
Other than the brand’s name, what else can you see on the logo of the ice cream brand Klondike?
Answer: A polar bear
What international organization works to preserve and protect dark skies by promoting responsible outdoor lighting practices?
Answer: International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
What is the term for an area where artificial light pollution is minimized to allow for optimal stargazing and astronomical observations?
Answer: Dark Sky Reserve
Which U.S. national park or monument was designated as the first International Dark Sky Park in 2007?
Answer: Natural Bridges National Monument
In the Northern Hemisphere, what astronomical event marks the beginning of summer in June?
Answer: Summer Solstice
Question: Which gemstone is associated with the month of June as its birthstone?
Answer: Pearl (or alexandrite and moonstone)
What is the name of the traditional summertime bonfire celebration in Scandinavian countries, held on the night of June 23rd?
Answer: Midsummer or St. John’s Eve
The Independence Day holiday is celebrated in the United States on July 4th, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. What year did the USA gain its independence?
Answer: 1776.
What is the birth flower for July, often symbolizing passion and deep emotions?
Answer: Larkspur (or water lily)
Which famous French national holiday is celebrated on July 14th, commemorating a significant event during the French Revolution?
Answer: Bastille Day
In which Asian country is the Naadam Festival, known as the “Three Manly Games,” celebrated in July?
Answer: Mongolia
Which singer, who wants you to call her, maybe, saw her catchy song become Billboard’s top song of the summer in 2012?
Answer: Carly Rae Jepsen
What is your astrological sign if your birthday was on June 30?
Answer: Cancer
Which meteor shower, one of the most well-known annual events, peaks in August and is associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle?
Answer: Perseids
What are the birthstones for August?
Answer: Peridot, spinel and sardonyx
Which mystery novel by Agatha Christie is set on a luxurious cruise ship during the summer, featuring the detective Hercule Poirot?
Answer: “Death on the Nile”
What DJ and music producer released the hit single “Summer” in 2014, becoming a summer anthem with its upbeat and catchy melody?
Answer: Calvin Harris
Which 1986 film, directed by Rob Reiner, follows a group of boys on a journey to find the body of a missing boy during the summer of 1959?
Answer: “Stand by Me”
In the movie “The Parent Trap,” what is the summer camp where Annie and Hallie first meet and discover they are twins?
Answer: Camp Walden for Girls
If you forget to bring cooking sticks with you to roast marshmallows, what can you find in the wild to use instead?
Answer: Tree branches. If you can, whittle the end of your stick into a point, uncovering the wood beneath the bark and removing the parts that were exposed to the elements. Once you do that, you’ll have a fresh, germ-free spot for your marshmallows to roast away.
What cooking item allows you to pack up food nicely into a packet and throw it directly into the fire to cook?
Answer: Aluminum foil.
Which country holds the world record for the hottest temperature ever recorded?
Answer: The United States (in Death Valley, CA).
During what month is National Lemonade Day celebrated?
Answer: August.
What is the common term for the tiny, often iridescent particles that can cause a stinging sensation when they come into contact with the skin during a day at the beach?
Answer: Jellyfish larvae or “Sea Lice”
Which beach in Australia is famous for the natural rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles?
Answer: Gibson Steps or Great Ocean Road
What is the recommended amount of sunscreen, in teaspoons, for applying to the face for effective sun protection?
Answer: About 1/4 teaspoon
In sunscreen labeling, what does “SPF” stand for?
Answer: Sun Protection Factor
What do elephants use instead of sunblock?
Answer: Dust and mud.
Which U.S. state is known for its unique style of barbecue, often featuring a vinegar-based sauce with pulled pork?
Answer: North Carolina. Lexington-style barbecue (also called Piedmont- or Western-style) uses a red sauce, or “dip”, made from vinegar, tomatoes, and usually red pepper flakes.
In what country did the flip-flop sandals originate?
Answer: Ancient Egypt
What is the common term for the piece that fits between the toes in a flip-flop sandal?
Answer: Toe Thong
What is the name of the swimming stroke where the swimmer lies on their back and moves their arms in a circular motion while kicking their feet?
Answer: Backstroke
In competitive swimming, what is the standard Olympic pool length in meters?
Answer: 50 meters
Which French term is used for a picnic, typically an informal outdoor meal with wine, cheese, and other delicacies?
Answer: Pique-nique. ‘Pique-nique’ is made up of two words: ‘picorer’ and ‘nique’.‘Picorer’ can be translated into English as ‘to nibble’, whilst ‘nique’ was used to describe something small and unimportant.
What popular summer fruit is often a centerpiece at picnics, often paired with fried chicken, and is associated with a game involving spitting out seeds?
Answer: Watermelon
What is the name of the ice cream cake covered with an igloo of meringue and then baked in the oven to firm and caramelize the meringue?
Answer: Baked Alaska
What is the concoction called when pastry chefs work to make an ice cream sundae mimic a traditional bowl of spaghetti, with vanilla ice cream strands for noodles, strawberry puree for the sauce, and coconut flakes for the parmesan cheese?
Answer: Spaghettini. You can usually find it throughout Germany
What is the name of the McDonald’s dessert made by mixing ice cream and crushed cookies or candy bars?
Answer: McFlurry
What does the term “polarized” refer to in the context of sunglasses?
Answer: Reduction of glare. The filter works like the vertical slats of a fence or very tightly packed bars on a window: It won’t allow anything long and horizontal through its gaps.
Which iconic music festival, known for its outdoor setting, began in 1969 and featured performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Who?
Answer: Woodstock
What outdoor venue in Colorado is famous for its natural rock formations and has hosted performances by artists like The Beatles and U2?
Answer: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
In which country did the use of fireworks originate?
Answer: China. Most historians credit China with the invention of fireworks around 800 AD. But it was in the 1830s that Italian inventors added trace amounts of metals to the mix and created the colorful displays that dazzle us now.
What is the chemical compound that produces the bright colors in fireworks when ignited?
Answer: Strontium Nitrate
What is the purpose of a bivy sack in camping?
Answer: A bivy sack provides minimal shelter and is primarily used for emergency situations. It is smaller and more lightweight than a tent.
What is a bear hang, and how is it properly set up to protect food from bears and other wildlife?
Answer: A bear hang is a method of suspending food and scented items high between two trees to keep them out of reach of bears. It involves using a rope, pulley system, and bear-resistant bag.
When foraging for wild mushrooms, what is the golden rule for safety, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification?
Answer: “When in doubt, throw it out.” If you’re unsure whether a mushroom is edible, it’s best not to consume it.
Which knot is commonly used in camping to secure a load to a vehicle roof rack or tie down a tarp?
Answer: The trucker’s hitch knot.
On the summer solstice, which pole is tilted towards the sun?
Answer: North Pole
What ancient monument in England aligns with the sunrise on the summer solstice?
Answer: Stonehenge
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Which U.S. state is home to a city known as the “Watermelon Capital of the World”?
Answer: Georgia (Cordele, Georgia)
Watermelon is a popular summertime treat. About what percentage of a watermelon is water?
- a) 40%
- b) 50%
- c) 80%
- d) 90%
Answer: d) 90%. The average watermelon is about 92% water.
Summertime means hitting the beach! Which US state is known as The Ocean State?
Answer: Rhode Island. While Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union, it boasts some 400 miles of shoreline.
Which annual sand sculpture festival, held in Portugal, attracts artists from around the world to showcase their intricate sandcastle creations?
Answer: FIESA
What is the iconic highway that stretches across the United States, connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, California?
Answer: Route 66
What is the name of the United States’ beloved fire prevention mascot?
Answer: Smokey Bear.
In what year was the first successful transcontinental road trip completed from New York to San Francisco?
Answer: 1903
Which organization founded the first organized summer camp in the United States in 1861?
Answer: YMCA
And what exactly does ‘YMCA’ stand for?
Answer: Young Men’s Christian Association
What type of camp focuses on providing outdoor adventures and activities such as hiking, camping, and canoeing?
Answer: Adventure Camp
What long-distance hiking trail spans approximately 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine in the United States?
Answer: Appalachian Trail
In what country would you find the Inca Trail, a famous hiking trail leading to the ancient city of Machu Picchu?
Answer: Peru
Which Hawaiian island is known as the “Surfing Capital of the World”?
Answer: Oahu
What area in Oahu (Hawaii) is often considered the world’s number 1 surf spot?
Answer: Banzai Pipeline
What is the term for the maneuver in surfing where a surfer rides along the curl of a breaking wave?
Answer: Tube Riding or Barrel Riding
What is the traditional Japanese method of using a trained cormorant to catch fish called?
Answer: Ukai
In what U.S. state is the town of Bemidji, known for the giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, a popular fishing destination?
Answer: Minnesota
What is the name of the boat race that takes place annually on the Thames River in London, between the University crews of Oxford and Cambridge, and is considered one of the oldest sporting events?
Answer: The Boat Race
Which Italian city is famous for its regattas, including the historic Regata Storica held on the Grand Canal?
Answer: Venice
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Which Swiss company is renowned for its high-quality pocket knives and multi-tools, often considered essential camping gear?
Answer: Victorinox
In what region of the world is the tradition of using hammocks believed to have originated?
Answer: Central America
Which archipelago situated in the Indian Ocean, known for its overwater bungalows and coral reefs, is a popular tropical island destination?
Answer: Maldives
In the Caribbean, what is the name of the island known as the “Spice Isle” for its nutmeg and mace production?
Answer: Grenada
What is the oldest national park in the United States, famous for its geothermal features like Old Faithful?
Answer: Yellowstone National Park
Which African country is home to the Serengeti National Park, known for the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras?
Answer: Tanzania
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In what European city does the famous La Tomatina festival, where participants engage in a massive tomato fight, take place?
Answer: Buñol, Spain
Which U.S. city hosts the largest jazz festival in the world from April to May, attracting musicians and enthusiasts from around the globe?
Answer: New Orleans, Louisiana
What is the name of the famous outdoor market in Marrakech, Morocco, known for its vibrant colors, spices, and crafts?
Answer: Jemaa el-Fnaa
In which Asian city will you find the bustling Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in the world?
Answer: Bangkok, Thailand
What type of paddle is typically used in traditional canoeing?
Answer: Single-bladed paddle
Which Canadian province is renowned for its extensive network of lakes and rivers, making it a prime destination for canoeing?
Answer: Ontario
Which coral reef system, the largest in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for scuba diving?
Answer: Great Barrier Reef
What does the acronym “SCUBA” stand for in the context of diving?
Answer: Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
In which European countries does the epic Tour du Mont Blanc hike pass through?
Answer: France, Switzerland, and Italy
In the cocktail “Piña Colada,” what is the main fruit ingredient that gives the drink its tropical flavor?
Answer: Pineapple
What popular summer cocktail combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, and is typically served in a copper mug?
Answer: Moscow Mule
Which cocktail, often associated with brunch and outdoor gatherings, is made with equal parts champagne and chilled citrus juice, usually orange or grapefruit?
Answer: Mimosa
What is the primary spirit in a classic Margarita cocktail?
Answer: Tequila
What cocktail, named after a Cuban beach, combines light rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves?
Answer: Daiquiri
In the cocktail “Sex on the Beach,” what fruit juices are commonly used, giving the drink its fruity and tropical taste?
Answer: Cranberry and Orange Juices
What Italian cocktail, often served as an apéritif, is made with Prosecco and peach purée or nectar?
Answer: Bellini
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In what country did the first manned hot air balloon flight take place, conducted by the Montgolfier brothers?
Answer: France
What gas is commonly used to fill hot air balloons and provide lift?
Answer: Propane
What is the name for the iconic, spinning carnival ride consisting of tilted, spinning cups?
Answer: Tea Cups or Tilt-A-Whirl
In what European country did the world’s first roller coaster, known as the “Russian Mountains,” open in the 18th century?
Answer: France
What is the name of the world’s tallest roller coaster, located in Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey?
Answer: Kingda Ka. This upside-down U-shaped track bolts up 45 stories in the sky—that’s 456 feet high, with a 418-foot drop!
What is the term for the parachute-like device attached to a person on a boat that allows riders to ascend into the air while staying anchored?
Answer: Parasail
In terms of summer activities, what does “SUP” stand for?
Answer: Stand-up paddleboarding
What body of water in Kaui (Hawaii), known for its calm and clear conditions, is considered an ideal location for paddleboarding?
Answer: Hanalei Bay
What is the largest freshwater lake in North America, offering numerous lakeside retreats and outdoor activities?
Answer: Lake Superior
Which U.S. national park is known for hikes like Hidden Lake Trail and Avalanche Lake Trail, as well as stunning glaciers, mountainous landscapes, and serene lakeside settings?
Answer: Glacier National Park
Who is the author of the popular summer beach read “The Da Vinci Code”?
Answer: Dan Brown
In which Shakespearean play does the character Puck famously declare, “If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended”?
Answer: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What is the traditional recipe for a classic lemonade, what ingredients make up lemonade?
Answer: Lemon juice, water, sugar to taste
In what European mountain range is the famous Mont Blanc, a popular destination for rock climbing?
Answer: Alps
During the summer, outdoor yoga is all the rage. Which standing yoga pose involves balancing on one leg with the other leg raised and the foot placed against the inner thigh or calf?
Answer: Tree Pose or Vrikshasana
What is the portmanteau for “glamorous camping,” referring to a luxurious and comfortable camping experience?
Answer: Glamping
In what type of structure do glampers typically stay, providing more comfort than traditional tents?
Answer: Yurt
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Which Hindu festival, known as the Festival of Colors, is celebrated in early-spring and marks the arrival of warmer weather?
Answer: Holi
In beach volleyball, how many players are on each team?
Answer: 2 players
What is the standard diameter of a beach volleyball?
Answer: 26 inches (66 cm)
Which summer flower is often associated with Shakespeare’s quote, “A ___ by any other name would smell as sweet”?
Answer: Rose
What flower, associated with Buddhism, has the same name as a 2009 Prince album and a 2011 Radiohead song?
Answer: Lotus flower
Though it originated in China, which fruit was named for Persia, where Europeans first encountered it?
Answer: Peach
In which U.S. state is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, known for its innovative water rides and attractions?
Answer: Texas (in Galveston)
In which mountain range is the popular resort town of Aspen, offering a retreat for skiing in the winter and outdoor activities like hiking in the summer?
Answer: Rocky Mountains
What is the name of the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way, visible in the night sky for stargazers?
Answer: Andromeda Galaxy. The Andromeda Galaxy, also called M31, is bright enough to be seen by the naked eye on dark, moonless nights. The Andromeda Galaxy is the only other (besides the Milky Way) spiral galaxy we can see with the naked eye.
In astronomy, what term is used to describe the darkest part of a shadow, as seen during a solar eclipse?
Answer: Umbra
Which tropical fruit is known for its spiky exterior and sweet, tangy interior?
Answer: Pineapple
What small, red fruit is often associated with summer and is a favorite for U-picking and fruit salads?
Answer: Strawberry
When during the year are strawberries in season?
Answer: Primarily spring/summer (mid-May to July).
Which Asian fruit, often enjoyed in the summer, is called the “king of fruits” and has a distinctive, strong odor?
Answer: Durian
Which stone fruit, with a velvety skin, is widely enjoyed during the summer season and comes in varieties like clingstone and freestone?
Answer: Peach
What vibrant, bell-shaped flower is often associated with summer and comes in various colors, including red, orange, and yellow?
Answer: Trumpet Vine or Trumpet Creeper
Which fragrant flower, known for its soothing properties, is often used in summer bouquets and is associated with relaxation and sleep?
Answer: Lavender
What tall, colorful flower is a symbol of summer and is often found in fields, gardens, and floral arrangements?
Answer: Sunflower
What flowering plant, with clusters of small, star-shaped blooms, is commonly used in summer gardens and floral designs?
Answer: Star Jasmine
What Japanese festival is celebrated in summer to commemorate one’s ancestors, whose spirits are believed to temporarily return to this world to visit their relatives?
Answer: Obon Festival
Which European city hosts the Running of the Bulls, a traditional event during the San Fermín festival in July?
Answer: Pamplona, Spain
What was the host city of the 2016 Olympic summer games?
Answer: Rio de Janeiro
Which city hosted the 2004 summer games, over 125 years after it held the first modern Olympics in 1896?
Answer: Athens, Greece
In what U.S. state is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the largest and most famous music festivals in the world that kicks off summer festival season?
Answer: California
Where is the world-famous Glastonbury festival staged?
Answer: Somerset, England
What was the wildly popular reality series that debuted in 1998, taking place at summer camp and featuring all the real-life drama teenagers face every day?
Answer: Bug Juice
Where does Nathan’s annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest take place?
Answer: Coney Island, New York.
What Scottish festival, celebrated in August, is the world’s largest arts festival and includes a variety of performances, including theater, comedy, and music?
Answer: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Which Southeast Asian country celebrates Songkran, a water festival marking the traditional New Year and the arrival of the summer season?
Answer: Thailand
Which American state hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, featuring hundreds of colorful balloons?
Answer: New Mexico
Summer is the season for stargazing! What is the term for a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the night sky?
Answer: Constellation
In astronomy, what is the measure of a star’s brightness as seen from Earth called?
Answer: Apparent Magnitude
What celestial event occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth’s surface?
Answer: Solar Eclipse
And there you have it, you’ve reached the end of our massive summer trivia quiz. How many of the summertime trivia questions did you get right? Let us know in the comments below — we love hearing from you!
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