Christmas Pub Quiz: 50 Festive Holiday Questions & Answers (Free Printable Pack)
This complete christmas quiz photo round features verified questions and answers, instant explanation notes, and printable team sheets. Designed for pub quizmasters, teachers, trivia hosts, and independent study.
Interactive Quiz Questions & Verified Answers
Round 1: Christmas Movies & Holiday TV
In the 1990 classic 'Home Alone', where is the McCallister family travelling to when they leave Kevin behind?
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Correct Answer: Paris (France)
Quizmaster Note: They depart from Chicago O'Hare for a Christmas holiday in Paris.
What is the name of the fictional town where the Grinch lives in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'?
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Correct Answer: Whoville (Accept: Mount Crumpit for where he resides)
Quizmaster Note: Created by Dr. Seuss in his 1957 children's book.
Which actor voiced the conductor, hero boy, and Santa Claus in the 2004 animated film 'The Polar Express'?
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Correct Answer: Tom Hanks
Quizmaster Note: Hanks performed 6 distinct motion-capture roles in the film.
In 'Elf' (2003), what are the four main food groups according to Buddy the Elf?
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Correct Answer: Candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup
Quizmaster Note: Delivered by Will Ferrell as Buddy.
In which 1988 Christmas action film does Bruce Willis play NYPD Detective John McClane taking on Hans Gruber in Nakatomi Plaza?
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Correct Answer: Die Hard
Quizmaster Note: Set on Christmas Eve in Century City, Los Angeles.
What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)?
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Correct Answer: Clarence Odbody (Accept: Clarence / Angel Second Class)
Quizmaster Note: Played by Henry Travers.
In 'The Santa Clause' (1994), what does Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) do for a living before becoming Santa?
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Correct Answer: Toy company executive (Marketing Director)
Quizmaster Note: He worked for the toy company B & M.
Which animated snowman sings 'Walking in the Air' in the 1982 TV short 'The Snowman'?
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Correct Answer: Sung by Peter Auty (Accept: Aled Jones for the single release)
Quizmaster Note: Based on the 1978 picture book by Raymond Briggs.
In 'Love Actually' (2003), what classic song does Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) remake into a holiday hit?
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Correct Answer: 'Christmas Is All Around' (Remake of 'Love Is All Around' by The Troggs)
Quizmaster Note: Written and directed by Richard Curtis.
Which festive comedy features Arnold Schwarzenegger battling Sinbad to buy a 'Turbo-Man' action figure?
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Correct Answer: Jingle All the Way (1996)
Quizmaster Note: Directed by Brian Levant.
Round 2: Festive Music & Christmas Number 1s
Which pop duo released the iconic 1984 holiday track 'Last Christmas'?
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Correct Answer: Wham! (George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley)
Quizmaster Note: Finally reached UK Christmas #1 in 2023, 39 years after release.
In the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', what gift is given on the fifth day?
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Correct Answer: Five golden rings (Five gold rings)
Quizmaster Note: The original melody was published in 1780 in England.
Who sang the female vocal parts alongside Shane MacGowan on The Pogues' 1987 classic 'Fairytale of New York'?
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Correct Answer: Kirsty MacColl
Quizmaster Note: Recorded at RAK Studios in London.
Which charity supergroup recorded 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in 1984 to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief?
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Correct Answer: Band Aid
Quizmaster Note: Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
Mariah Carey's 1994 anthem 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' was co-written with which producer?
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Correct Answer: Walter Afanasieff
Quizmaster Note: Reportedly written in just 15 minutes.
Which festive rock band had a massive 1973 hit with 'Merry Xmas Everybody'?
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Correct Answer: Slade
Quizmaster Note: Fronted by Noddy Holder with the iconic scream: 'IT'S CHRISTMAS!'
Which novelty musical act scored four consecutive UK Christmas Number 1s from 2018 to 2021 with sausage roll-themed songs?
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Correct Answer: LadBaby (Mark & Roxanne Hoyle)
Quizmaster Note: Surpassed the record of 3 previously held by The Beatles and Spice Girls.
What is the best-selling physical single of all time worldwide, with estimated sales exceeding 50 million copies?
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Correct Answer: 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby
Quizmaster Note: Written by Irving Berlin in 1940.
In the Christmas song 'Frosty the Snowman', what magical item brought Frosty to life?
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Correct Answer: An old silk hat (Magic hat)
Quizmaster Note: Written by Walter 'Jack' Rollins and Steve Nelson in 1950.
Which pop singer released the 2013 holiday hit 'Santa Tell Me'?
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Correct Answer: Ariana Grande
Quizmaster Note: Featured on her Christmas Kisses EP.
Round 3: Traditions, History & Global Customs
In which European country did the tradition of decorating evergreen Christmas trees originate in the 16th century?
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Correct Answer: Germany
Quizmaster Note: Popularized in Britain by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in the 1840s.
In Mexican and Latin American traditions, what hollow paper-mâché container filled with sweets is broken open during Las Posadas?
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Correct Answer: Piñata
Quizmaster Note: Traditional 7-pointed star piñatas represent the seven deadly sins.
In what year did Prince Albert introduce the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle, sparking the British Victorian trend?
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Correct Answer: 1840 (Accept: 1841 / 1848 for Illustrated London News woodcut)
Quizmaster Note: The famous 1848 woodcut in the Illustrated London News made it a nationwide craze.
Which country donates the giant Christmas tree erected in London's Trafalgar Square each year as thanks for British support during WWII?
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Correct Answer: Norway (The city of Oslo)
Quizmaster Note: An unbroken annual tradition since 1947.
In Japanese modern tradition, what fast food meal is eaten by millions of families on Christmas Day?
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Correct Answer: KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Quizmaster Note: Originated from the famous 1974 'Kentucky for Christmas' marketing campaign.
What traditional fruit is traditionally placed at the bottom of a Christmas stocking in the UK and USA?
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Correct Answer: Orange (or Tangerine / Clementine)
Quizmaster Note: Said to symbolize gold coins given by Saint Nicholas.
In Ukraine, what decorative creature is traditionally placed on Christmas trees to bring good fortune in the new year?
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Correct Answer: Spider (and spider webs)
Quizmaster Note: Based on the folk tale of the Christmas Spider.
What is the day after Christmas Day (26 December) officially known as in the UK and Commonwealth nations?
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Correct Answer: Boxing Day (also Saint Stephen's Day)
Quizmaster Note: Named after the tradition of servants receiving gift boxes from employers.
Which Roman mid-winter festival celebrated from December 17–23 influenced many modern Christmas customs?
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Correct Answer: Saturnalia
Quizmaster Note: Celebrated the god Saturn with feasting, gift-giving, and role reversals.
In the Christian calendar, what is the 12th day after Christmas (6 January) called, celebrating the visit of the Magi?
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Correct Answer: Epiphany (Three Kings' Day / Twelfth Night)
Quizmaster Note: Marks the end of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas.
Official Numerical Estimation Tie-Breakers
If teams are tied for first place at the end of the round, ask these numerical estimation questions. The team closest to the exact figure wins immediately.
In what exact year was the first commercial Christmas card designed and sent by Sir Henry Cole in London?
Reveal Tie-Breaker Answer
Exact Answer: 1843
Reference Fact: Illustrated by John Callcott Horsley; only 1,000 copies were printed.
What is the total height in metres of the tallest cut Christmas tree ever displayed (displayed in Seattle in 1950)?
Reveal Tie-Breaker Answer
Exact Answer: 67.36 metres (221 feet)
Reference Fact: A Douglas fir erected at Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington.
Quizmaster Hosting & Scoring Guide
- Round Timing: Allow 12 to 15 minutes for teams to complete all questions, followed by one read-through repeat.
- Scoring Integrity: Award 1 point per correct answer. Do not deduct points for incorrect guesses.
- Printable Distribution: Use the print button above to generate clean, un-branded player sheets without answer keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these christmas quiz photo round questions free to use?
Yes. All questions, answer keys, host notes, and printable player sheets are 100% free for educational, commercial pub hosting, and home trivia nights.
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Every question and host trivia note is double-verified against encyclopedic archives, historical documentation, and standard reference databases by our editorial board.