The holiday season is so much more than just Christmas! While many people celebrate this popular holiday, there are a variety of other festive occasions happening throughout the year. From New Year’s celebrations to Thanksgiving, and even unique traditions around the world, there’s a lot to discuss. Each holiday has its own interesting backstories, fun facts, and quirky customs that make it special. Let’s take a look at some of these non-Christmas holidays and the trivia that surround them.
Today, let’s uncover some fun and surprising facts about various holidays that many people love to celebrate. For example, did you know that in Spain, people celebrate New Year’s by eating twelve grapes at midnight for good luck? Or that in Japan, New Year’s is a time for family gatherings and special foods? You’ll learn about the origins of different holidays, the traditions that come with them, and some quirky facts that might just make you smile. So, get ready for a festive trivia adventure that will expand your knowledge and brighten your day!
Non Christmas Holiday Trivia
Around The World With New Year Celebrations
1. In which country do people celebrate New Year’s by jumping off a chair at midnight? (Answer: Denmark)
2. What fruit do the Spanish traditionally eat at midnight for each stroke of the clock on New Year’s Eve? (Answer: Grapes)
3. Which animal is the symbol for the Chinese New Year that comes every 12 years? (Answer: The Rat)
4. In Japan, what is the traditional food eaten to celebrate New Year called? (Answer: Osechi)
5. What color is primarily used in Chinese New Year decorations to symbolize good fortune? (Answer: Red)
6. In Italy, what do people traditionally throw out of their windows on New Year’s Eve? (Answer: Old items)
7. In Scotland, what is the name of the first visitor to enter a home after midnight on New Year’s? (Answer: First Footer)
8. What is the term for the Japanese tradition of sending New Year cards? (Answer: Nengajo)
9. Which animal signifies the year of great fortune in the Chinese zodiac? (Answer: The Dragon)
10. In which country is the New Year celebrated with a festival called Hogmanay? (Answer: Scotland)
Festive Feasts for Thanksgiving
1. What is the main dish traditionally served at Thanksgiving in the United States? (Answer: Turkey)
2. In what year was the first official Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims? (Answer: 1621)
3. Which U.S. President proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863? (Answer: Abraham Lincoln)
4. What sweet dish is often served as a dessert during Thanksgiving? (Answer: Pumpkin pie)
5. What staple vegetable is often mashed and served during Thanksgiving meals? (Answer: Potatoes)
6. Which Native American tribe is known to have celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims? (Answer: Wampanoag)
7. What day of the week is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States? (Answer: Thursday)
8. What is the day after Thanksgiving commonly known as, significant for shopping? (Answer: Black Friday)
9. In Canada, on what day is Thanksgiving celebrated? (Answer: The second Monday in October)
10. Which type of bread is often used in stuffing for Thanksgiving meals? (Answer: Bread)
Groundbreaking Groundhog Day Traditions
1. What is the name of the famous groundhog that predicts the weather on February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania? (Answer: Punxsutawney Phil)
2. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, how many more weeks of winter are predicted? (Answer: Six weeks)
3. What is the origin of Groundhog Day? (Answer: German tradition)
4. Which festival is Groundhog Day associated with that celebrates losing weight? (Answer: Candlemas Day)
5. What does it mean if Phil does not see his shadow? (Answer: Early spring)
6. What year did the first Groundhog Day celebration occur? (Answer: 1887)
7. What type of animal is a groundhog categorized as? (Answer: Rodent)
8. Which song famously references Groundhog Day? (Answer: “I’ve Got You Babe”)
9. What is the name of the town that hosts the Groundhog Day celebration? (Answer: Punxsutawney)
10. Who presides over the ceremonies of Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania? (Answer: The Inner Circle)
The Spirited Sights of Halloween
1. What vegetable is commonly carved into a jack-o’-lantern on Halloween? (Answer: Pumpkin)
2. What is the name of the holiday celebrated on October 31st? (Answer: Halloween)
3. In which country did Halloween originate? (Answer: Ireland)
4. What was the original name of Halloween? (Answer: Samhain)
5. What is the traditional activity of asking for treats while dressed in costumes? (Answer: Trick-or-treating)
6. What animal is often associated with Halloween and said to be a witch’s familiar? (Answer: Cat)
7. Which colors are most commonly associated with Halloween? (Answer: Orange and black)
8. What candy is the most popular choice on Halloween? (Answer: Snickers)
9. In what year did Halloween first become commercialized in the United States? (Answer: 1920s)
10. What do children often dress up as during Halloween to scare people? (Answer: Ghosts and monsters)
Festivities of the Lunar New Year
1. What is the traditional greeting people use to wish good fortune during Chinese New Year? (Answer: Gong xi fa cai)
2. Which zodiac animal signifies the year of 2022? (Answer: The Tiger)
3. What color symbolizes joy and happiness during Lunar New Year celebrations? (Answer: Red)
4. What is the significance of cleaning your house before the Lunar New Year? (Answer: To sweep away bad luck)
5. In which dish do families include whole fish to symbolize abundance? (Answer: Fish dish)
6. What kind of red envelope is traditionally given as a gift during the Lunar New Year? (Answer: Hongbao)
7. What festival occurs on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Lantern Festival? (Answer: Yuan Xiao Jie)
8. What food do people eat for good luck during the Lunar New Year? (Answer: Dumplings)
9. What do the Chinese people avoid doing on New Year’s Day to prevent bad luck? (Answer: Sweeping or cleaning)
10. What flower is commonly seen and given as a gift during this period to symbolize wealth? (Answer: Plum blossom)
Dad’s Day and Grilling for Father’s Day
1. In which month is Father’s Day celebrated in the United States? (Answer: June)
2. What is the typical gift people give to fathers on this day? (Answer: Ties)
3. Who is credited with the first observance of Father’s Day in 1908? (Answer: Sonora Smart Dodd)
4. What common activity do people often do with their fathers to celebrate the day? (Answer: Barbecue or grilling)
5. What flower is commonly associated with Father’s Day? (Answer: Rose)
6. When did Father’s Day become an official holiday in the United States? (Answer: 1972)
7. What famous fictional dad is known for a barbecue in “The Simpsons”? (Answer: Homer Simpson)
8. What is the traditional card design for Father’s Day? (Answer: Cards with ties or tools)
9. In what country did the modern celebration of Father’s Day begin? (Answer: United States)
10. What is the purpose of Father’s Day? (Answer: To honor fathers and father figures)
Finding Fun on National Holidays
1. What day is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States? (Answer: July 4th)
2. What food is famously associated with Independence Day celebrations? (Answer: Hot dogs)
3. What does the Fourth of July commemorate? (Answer: The Declaration of Independence)
4. What flower is often worn to symbolize freedom on Independence Day? (Answer: Red, white, and blue flowers)
5. What is the national anthem of the United States sung during celebrations? (Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner)
6. On Veterans Day, what is traditionally done to honor those who served? (Answer: Visiting cemeteries and memorials)
7. What major holiday falls on the last Monday of May in the United States? (Answer: Memorial Day)
8. When is Labor Day celebrated in the United States? (Answer: The first Monday in September)
9. What common activity is celebrated on Labor Day? (Answer: Picnics)
10. What important historical event do we commemorate on Memorial Day? (Answer: Those who died in military service)
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a delightful journey through non-Christmas holiday trivia that not only highlights the diversity of celebrations but also uncovers interesting facts along the way. From the exciting traditions for New Year’s to the yummy feasting during Thanksgiving, there is so much joy wrapped up in holidays beyond Christmas.
We explored unique customs like Groundhog Day, the festive spirit of Halloween, and the cultural significance surrounding Lunar New Year. Don’t forget about the special ways we honor fathers on Father’s Day or the celebration of our nation’s independence. Each holiday has its own traditions and meanings that bring us together.
If you’re intrigued by more fascinating facts, consider diving into other topics such as Memorial Day Trivia or explore the delights of Chinese New Year Trivia. Exploring these will surely expand your festive knowledge even further!