As the crisp, wintry breeze begins to give way to the subtle signs of a changing season, there’s an undeniable magic in the air – the magic of winter!
The world transforms into a glistening wonderland, adorned with a delicate blanket of snow that shimmers like a million diamonds in the soft sunlight. Winter, with its chilly embrace, brings a sense of coziness and a promise of new beginnings.
But fear not, for we’re not bidding adieu to the spirit of celebration just yet! There’s a lot to celebrate, including the likes of Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Valentine’s Day, and Lunar New Year!
To keep the festive vibes alive, we’ve curated a bunch of winter-themed questions for our special winter trivia quiz.
These questions are not just about testing your knowledge; they’re crafted to evoke laughter, stir up memories, and perhaps reveal a few surprising facts about the magical winter months!
Join us as we honor the beauty, the traditions, and the unique charm of winter. Ready to take the plunge into our winter-themed trivia? Let the enchantment unfold!
Looking to celebrate each winter month separately? Check out our December, January, and February trivia quizzes afterward!
* This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful content. Thanks!
Winter Trivia Questions To Celebrate The Season
What is the name of the annual holiday that’s usually celebrated around December 21-22 to mark the beginning of winter?
Answer: Winter Solstice
Christmas was banned in which country for 13 years?
Answer: England.
Fun Fact
Why was Christmas banned in England for 13 years?
Christmas was banned in England for 13 years during the 17th century by the Puritan government under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. The Puritans believed that Christmas was a pagan festival with no biblical justification and that it was a time of sin and excess. They also objected to the fact that Christmas was associated with the Catholic Church, which they considered to be corrupt.
As a result, the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations in 1647, and the ban remained in place until 1660, when the monarchy was restored and King Charles II lifted the ban. During this time, Christmas was not celebrated as a public holiday, and people were not allowed to attend church or engage in any festive activities on December 25th.
How do snowflakes get formed?
Answer: Snowflakes start as tiny water droplets in the winter sky, forming ice crystals around microscopic particles.
How do snowflakes get their hexagonal lattice structure?
Answer: The hexagonal lattice structure is formed by six water molecules joining together in a repeating pattern.
In which Shakespearean play does the character Queen Titania mention “the summer still doth tend upon the winter’s tale”?
Answer: A Winter’s Tale
What is the name of the legendary figure who punishes children who misbehave during the holiday season, often associated with Krampusnacht?
Answer: Krampus
Which alcoholic beverage is traditionally added to eggnog to create a spiked version of it?
Answer: Rum or bourbon
What is the traditional shape of panettone?
Answer: Dome-shaped
What is the traditional shape of a snowflake?
Answer: Hexagonal
What is the birthstone for December?
Answer: Turquoise
If you were born on November 29, what would be your zodiac sign?
Answer: Sagittarius
What is the zodiac sign for those born in December?
Answer: Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) and Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
December 21 or 22 marks the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as what?
Answer: Summer Solstice
True or false: December is National Pear Month.
Answer: True
What is the name of the annual holiday celebrated on December 26 by African Americans to honor their heritage?
Answer: Kwanzaa
Which fairy tale character duo famously lived in a gingerbread house?
Answer: Hansel and Gretel
In which state did the historic event known as the Boston Tea Party take place on December 16, 1773?
Answer: Massachusetts, United States
Which famous ballet set during the Christmas season features characters such as Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Answer: The Nutcracker
Which famous author wrote the novel “A Christmas Carol,” which tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge?
Answer: Charles Dickens
Which male American actor, featured in Troy and Meet Joe Black was born on December 18, 1963?
- A) Brad Pitt
- B) Tom Cruise
- C) Johnny Depp
- D) Leonardo DiCaprio
Answer: A) Brad Pitt
The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year. How many hours is it shorter than the longest day of the year?
- a) 4 hours
- b) 5 hours
- c) 7 hours
- d) 9 hours
Answer: 9 hours
Which culture’s 12-day festival centered around the solstice has given birth to many of our most familiar Christmas traditions including the Christmas tree, the Yule log and the Christmas wreath?
- a) German
- b) Scandinavian
- c) Norwegian
- d) French
Answer: b) Scandinavian. These traditions come from the Scandinavian festival of Jul (aka Yule).
What is one defining feature of Krampus, the folklore character who punishes naughty children during the holiday season?
- a) it has a pig’s tail
- b) it has horns
- c) it carries a sack of coal
- d) it plays the flute to lure naughty children
Answer: b) it has horns
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of __________.
- a) Candles
- b) Gratitude
- c) Gods
- d) Lights
Answer: d) Lights
What annual swim event involves brave and rather daring individuals taking a dip in icy cold water, often on New Year’s Day?
Answer: Polar Bear Plunge
What is the name of the day that’s recognized as the most depressing day of the year and usually falls on the third Monday in January?
Answer: Blue Monday. The concept was first published in a 2005 press release from a UK travel company, which claimed to have calculated the date using an “equation”. It takes into account weather conditions and thus only applies to the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists have since then dismissed the idea as baseless pseudoscience, but it’s still a fun concept!
How many days does the month of January have?
Answer: 31
Can you name the 6 other months that have 31 days?
Answer: March, May, July, August, October, and December
Which civil rights leader is honored on the third Monday of January?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year. What is the significance of this date?
Answer: It commemorates his birthday.
Which food-related “holiday” is recognized throughout the whole month of January in the United States?
Answer: National Soup Month
Which of these is NOT a celebration during the month of January?
- a) National Wheat Bread Month
- b) National Slow Cooking Month
- c) National Sunday Supper Month
- d) National Persimmon Month
Answer: d) National Persimmon Month
Which of these quirky celebrations is celebrated on January 6th in the USA?
- a) National Cake Day
- b) National Cuddle Day
- c) National Self-Love Day
- d) National Houseplant Appreciation Day
Answer: c) National Cuddle Day. It falls on January 6 for a very important reason. Since January has some of the coldest temperatures of the year, it’s a great excuse to warm up by cuddling with those closest to you!
If you are born December 22-January 19 you are considered a Capricorn. What is your Zodiac sign if you are born January 20-February 18?
Answer: Aquarius
What cold-weather sporting event takes place once every four years in January, featuring competitions like skiing and ice hockey?
Answer: The Winter Olympics
Where did the Winter Olympics take place in the year 2022?
Answer: Beijing, China
Where will the Winter Olympics take place in the year 2026?
Answer: Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
What is the name of the day when people abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January?
Answer: Dry January
What ceremony marks the beginning of award season for films and television and takes place in January?
- a) Oscars
- b) Golden Globes
- c) Grammys
- d) Tony Awards
Answer: b) Golden Globes
What is the scientific name for the Northern Lights, the natural light display that occurs in the polar regions?
Answer: Aurora Borealis.
What gas in Earth’s atmosphere contributes to the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights?
Answer: Oxygen.
Which Alaskan city is known as the “Golden Heart City” and experiences extremely short days in the winter due to its high latitude?
Answer: Fairbanks.
What is the coldest inhabited place on Earth?
Answer: Oymyakon, Russia. According to Live Science, average temperatures in the small village of Oymyakon reach minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsius) and was originally a destination for reindeer herders to water their herd at a thermal spring.
Which winter fruit is red in color and is often associated with the holiday season?
Answer: Pomegranate.
What is the phenomenon of birds flying to warmer regions during winter called?
Answer: Migration.
What is the name of the winter solstice festival celebrated in China, marking the arrival of winter and the shortest day of the year?
Answer: Dongzhi.
Which winter plant is known for its red berries and is often associated with Christmas decorations?
Answer: Holly.
Which whale species is known for its annual migration from the Arctic to the warmer waters of Hawaii?
Answer: Humpback Whale.
Which animal has a migration route that spans thousands of miles from Canada to central Mexico?
Answer: The Monarch Butterfly.
What is the traditional birthstone for February?
Answer: Amethyst.
In folklore (both Greek and Roman), wearing amethyst is believed to protect against what?
Answer: Drunkenness.
Which famous groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2nd to predict the weather for the coming weeks?
Answer: Punxsutawney Phil.
What is the term for the state of reduced physiological activity in some animals during winter, also known as winter sleep?
Answer: Torpor.
Which small mammal is known for building nests called “dreys” and hibernates in tree hollows during the winter?
Answer: Squirrel.
In what country can you find the Ice Hotel, a temporary structure made entirely of ice and snow?
Answer: Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.
What is the traditional Finnish winter pastime of sitting in a hot sauna and then rolling in the snow called?
Answer: Avanto or Avantouinti (ice hole swimming).
In which country does the Sapporo Snow Festival take place, featuring impressive snow sculptures and ice statues?
Answer: Japan.
What icy continent is home to the South Pole and experiences extreme cold temperatures year-round?
Answer: Antarctica.
In what country is the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival held, featuring massive ice sculptures and illuminated ice buildings?
Answer: China.
What is the traditional Scottish dish that consists of a mixture of suet, flour, and dried fruits, often eaten during winter holidays?
Answer: Clootie Dumpling.
Which winter festival, celebrated in Nepal, marks the victory of light over darkness and is also known as the festival of lights?
Answer: Tihar.
What winter solstice festival is celebrated in Iran, with traditions dating back thousands of years?
Answer: Yalda Night.
What is the name of the festival celebrated in Sweden, where people gather to dance around a maypole and celebrate the arrival of summer?
Answer: Midsummer (not exactly a winter festival, but it’s related to the winter solstice).
Which bird is often associated with winter and is known for its distinctive call in the quiet snowy landscapes?
Answer: Snowy Owl.
Apart from traditional festive church services, what unique way do Russians celebrate Epiphany?
Answer: Russians have a tradition of Epiphany dips, when people cut cross-shaped holes in ice of water bodies, the churchmen bless the water, and on the eve of the Epiphany, after going to a church, people dip thrice into the freezing water, crossing themselves before each dip.
Which winter fruit is a type of citrus fruit with a tough rind and is often used to make marmalade?
Answer: Seville Orange.
What is the name of the traditional Scottish New Year celebration, which involves the first-footing tradition?
Answer: Hogmanay.
In what region of the world can you find the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, during the winter months?
Answer: Near the Arctic Circle.
What winter fruit is known for its tart flavor and is often used in pies and desserts during the holidays?
Answer: Cranberry.
Who is often credited with popularizing snowboarding as a sport in the 1980s and is considered a pioneer in the field?
Answer: Tom Sims or Jake Burton Carpenter.
In what country did the sport of competitive sledding, known as luge, first emerge in the 19th century?
Answer: Switzerland.
What is the name of the traditional wooden sled with metal runners that is commonly used for downhill sledding?
Answer: Toboggan.
True or False: Snakes are known to hibernate during the winter months.
Answer: True, sort of. Reptiles, including snakes, and amphibians brumate over the winter. It’s not full-on hibernation, which warm-blooded animals do. Instead, snakes stop eating as the temperature drops, their metabolism slows down, and they look for an underground place to hide from surface temperature changes.
In what country is the winter solstice festival celebrated with the tradition of eating dumplings or glutinous rice balls (tong yuen) to bring good luck and prosperity?
Answer: China (for their winter solstice holiday, Dongzhi).
Which winter sport involves sliding down a narrow, twisting, ice-covered track in a small, flat-bottomed sled?
Answer: Skeleton.
What is the name of the winter solstice festival celebrated in Korea, where people eat red bean porridge to drive away evil spirits?
Answer: Dongji.
Which winter flower is often associated with Christmas and is known for its fragrant, star-shaped blooms?
Answer: Poinsettia.
In what country does the Winterlude festival take place, featuring ice sculptures, ice skating, and various winter sports?
Answer: Canada (specifically in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec).
What holiday is celebrated on January 6th and marks the end of the Christmas season?
Answer: Epiphany.
February is the month that celebrates a certain mammal. What is it?
Answer: Humpback Whale Awareness Month.
In February 1964 which insanely popular band made their first American television appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, that over 73 million Americans tuned in for?
Answer: The Beatles.
February 4, 2004 marks the birth of a mainstream online social network. Which one was born on this date?
Answer: Facebook.
What is the Vince Lombardi Trophy awarded for?
Answer: Winning the Super Bowl.
Who holds the record for the most touchdowns in a single Super Bowl game?
Answer: Jerry Rice.
Which city hosted the most Super Bowl games as of 2024?
Answer: Miami.
Winter Trivia Questions and Answers: Christmas
Which country was the first to use the tradition of the Christmas tree?
Answer: Germany
If there are 365 days in a year, what number day is Christmas Day?
Answer: 359
The poinsettia plant originates from which country?
Answer: Mexico
What is gifted to the singer on the tenth day in the song “12 Days of Christmas”?
Answer: Ten lords a-leaping
What is gifted to the singer on the fourth day in the song “12 Days of Christmas”?
Answer: Four calling birds
Who released the 2011 album Under the Mistletoe?
Answer: Justin Bieber
Name the song with the following lyrics: “A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots is the wish of Barney and Ben.”
Answer: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
“Mele Kalikimaka” means Merry Christmas in which language?
Answer: Hawaiian
The American states of Georgia, Arizona, and Indiana all have towns that share which same Christmas-related name?
Answer: Santa Claus
What 1996 Christmas movie features Arnold Schwarzenegger as a lead character hunting for a doll called Turbo Man?
Answer: Jingle all the Way
What is the wildly iconic 1957 Dr. Seuss book about Christmas called?
Answer: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In which old-timey holiday film does an angel named Clarence visit Bedford Falls?
Answer: It’s A Wonderful Life
Which one of Santa’s reindeer shares its name with another famous holiday character?
Answer: Cupid.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Spanish?
Answer: Feliz Navidad.
In various parts of the world, what is the name of the day after Christmas day?
Answer: Boxing Day.
You may also like: 115 Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers (With Free Printable!)
Winter Trivia Questions and Answers: Valentine’s Day
Other than Valentine’s Day, which is the next biggest holiday for giving flowers?
Answer: Mother’s Day.
The first Valentine’s Day celebration occurred in which Western European city?
Answer: Paris.
Before candy hearts became a sign of sweetness on Valentine’s Day, they originally served what purpose?
Answer: They were medical lozenges.
What is Galentine’s Day and when is it typically celebrated?
Answer: Galentine’s Day is a made-up celebration from the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, where the day is dedicated to celebrating friendship with your gal pals on Feb 13.
How do you say ‘love’ in Spanish?
Answer: Amor.
How do you say ‘love’ in Italian?
Answer: Amore.
In which country is Valentine’s Day known as “Friend’s Day,” and people celebrate friendship rather than romantic love?
Answer: Finland.
This skunk from Looney Tunes is known for his amorous pursuits, often leading to comical situations. Can you name him?
Answer: Pepe Le Pew.
In the animated series “Hey Arnold!,” which character is secretly infatuated with the main character, Arnold, and expresses her feelings through her private journal?
Answer: Helga Pataki.
This character from “Peanuts” is head over heels for the little red-haired girl but is often too shy to express his feelings openly. Who is this character?
Answer: Charlie Brown.
In “The Flintstones,” who is the next-door neighbor of Fred and Wilma Flintstone and has an ongoing crush on Fred?
Answer: Betty Rubble.
This character from “The Simpsons” is known for his unrequited love for Marge Simpson. Despite his constant advances, Marge remains loyal to her husband, Homer. Who is this character?
Answer: Waylon Smithers.
Which Roman god is associated with love and is often linked to Valentine’s Day?
Answer: Cupid.
In Japan, it is customary for women to give men chocolates on Valentine’s Day. What type of chocolate is typically given to male friends or colleagues?
Answer: Giri-choco (obligation chocolate).
In which city is the Pont des Arts bridge, known for lovers attaching padlocks to symbolize their eternal love?
Answer: Paris, France.
In the United States, which city is renowned for hosting an annual Valentine’s Day Parade, often featuring wedding ceremonies and vow renewals?
Answer: Loveland, Colorado.
In Verona, Italy, visitors can find letters addressed to Juliet Capulet at a famous location. What is this place called?
You may also like: 70 Valentine’s Day Trivia Questions and Answers
Best Trivia Games of 2024
Can’t get enough of the trivia goodness? Neither can we. If you’re looking for trivia games to play with friends/family, here are our favorite trivia board games on the market this year!
GENSMAK! Fun for All Generations – Trivia Game
Choose to answer questions from categories like Gen Z, Millenial, Gen X, Boomer, and more!
Dynamic gameplay with questions that vary by generation, category, and difficulty level.
2 to 12 players | Includes 500 trivia questions
Ultimate Pub Trivia
1,100 questions covering 6 different categories
Host your own pub-style trivia nights
4 or more players | Ages 12 and up
Anomia Party Edition
A very popular card game for families, teens and adults!
Fast-paced friendly competition and laugh-til-you cry kind of fun
3-6 players | Ages 10+
…I should have known that! Trivia Game
110 cards with 400+ questions
Instead of points for answering questions right, points are subtracted for every wrong answer
Players 2+ | Ages 14+
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