Holiday music brings joy and cheer to our lives during the festive season. From classic carols that have been sung for generations to modern hits that play on the radio, holiday tunes are a big part of our celebrations. Many people have their favorite songs and memories associated with this special time of year. But how much do you really know about the music that fills the air during the holidays? There’s a lot more to these songs than just their catchy melodies!
Today, we’ll share some fun and interesting trivia about holiday music that might surprise you. Did you know that some of the most famous holiday songs were written in just a few minutes? Or that certain songs were inspired by real-life events? Whether you’re a fan of jingling bells or classic Christmas carols, there are stories behind the music that make it even more special. So, get ready to impress your friends and family this season with amazing holiday music facts!
Holiday Music Trivia
Catching the Spirit of Holiday Music
1. Who wrote the classic holiday song “Jingle Bells”? (Answer: James Lord Pierpont)
2. What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time? (Answer: “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby)
3. Which famous singer recorded “Last Christmas”? (Answer: Wham!)
4. What Christmas carol is known for its opening line, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”? (Answer: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”)
5. When was “Silent Night” first performed? (Answer: 1818)
6. Which song contains the lyrics “Deck the halls with boughs of holly”? (Answer: “Deck the Halls”)
7. What holiday song features a character named “Rudolph”? (Answer: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”)
8. Who originally popularized the song “The Christmas Song”? (Answer: Nat King Cole)
9. Which holiday song includes the line “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”? (Answer: “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year”)
10. What is the title of the holiday song famously performed by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters? (Answer: “Mele Kalikimaka”)
The Stories Behind Classic Holiday Music
1. Which classic holiday song was inspired by a real snowstorm? (Answer: “White Christmas”)
2. What inspired “The Christmas Song” to be written? (Answer: A hot summer day)
3. Who wrote the lyrics to “O Holy Night” and what inspired them? (Answer: Adolphe Adam, inspired by the birth of Christ)
4. What holiday song was originally a Thanksgiving song? (Answer: “Jingle Bells”)
5. Which song was inspired by the famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”? (Answer: “Here Comes Santa Claus”)
6. What inspired the creation of “Little Drummer Boy”? (Answer: The story of the Nativity)
7. Which holiday song was first written as an instrumental piece? (Answer: “Carol of the Bells”)
8. What song is said to have been written in just under 30 minutes? (Answer: “The Little Drummer Boy”)
9. Which famous artist wrote “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” as a protest song? (Answer: John Lennon)
10. What song features the lyric “We’ll be home for Christmas”? (Answer: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”)
Modern Hits that Jazz Up the Holidays
1. Which Mariah Carey song is often referred to as the modern holiday anthem? (Answer: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”)
2. Which pop star released “Christmas Tree” in 2010? (Answer: Lady Gaga)
3. What 2011 song by Justin Bieber features a festive theme? (Answer: “Mistletoe”)
4. Which artist released “Santa Tell Me” in 2014? (Answer: Ariana Grande)
5. Which band released a holiday album called “Christmas” in 2017? (Answer: Pentatonix)
6. Which holiday song has Shawn Mendes collaborated on with other artists? (Answer: “Christmas Saves the Year”)
7. What group is known for their popular holiday tracks like “12 Days of Christmas”? (Answer: The Muppets)
8. Which song does Michael Bublé feature in his Christmas album? (Answer: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”)
9. What unique instrument does Sufjan Stevens incorporate in his holiday music? (Answer: Banjo)
10. Who performed the hit “Christmas Lights”? (Answer: Coldplay)
Cultural Variations in Holiday Music
1. What is the Spanish translation for the song “Jingle Bells”? (Answer: “Cascabeles”)
2. Which country celebrates Christmas with the song “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Mexico)
3. In what culture is “Kwanzaa” celebrated during the holiday season? (Answer: African American culture)
4. What is the name of the Italian Christmas song, beloved in many cultures? (Answer: “Tu scendi dalle stelle”)
5. What popular holiday song is sung in many languages around the world? (Answer: “Silent Night”)
6. Which holiday song is popular in Germany as “O Tannenbaum”? (Answer: “O Christmas Tree”)
7. What holiday tradition involves singing to obscure past events in Norse mythology? (Answer: Yule Carols)
8. The song “Auld Lang Syne” is often sung during New Year’s in which country? (Answer: Scotland)
9. In what country do people celebrate the holiday with a song called “Stille Nacht”? (Answer: Austria)
10. Which song is often sung in Scandinavian countries as part of their festive celebrations? (Answer: “Natten går tunga fjät”)
Timeless Classics of Holiday Music
1. What is the oldest known Christmas carol still sung today? (Answer: “Jesus Refulsit Omnium”)
2. Which famous traditional carol encourages joy? (Answer: “Joy to the World”)
3. In what year was “O Come, All Ye Faithful” written? (Answer: 1743)
4. Who composed the melody for “Good King Wenceslas”? (Answer: John Mason Neale)
5. What holiday musical piece is often associated with the “Messiah”? (Answer: “Hallelujah Chorus”)
6. Which song is recognized by its opening “__joyful and triumphant__”? (Answer: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”)
7. Who wrote the popular hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”? (Answer: Phillips Brooks)
8. What British carol features a famous opening line of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”? (Answer: “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”)
9. Which carol celebrates the nativity of Jesus? (Answer: “Away in a Manger”)
10. Which 19th-century Christmas carol is commonly sung in schools? (Answer: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)
Festive Sounds to Spread the Joy
1. What often accompanies holiday music, creating a festive atmosphere? (Answer: Bells)
2. What instrument is commonly played during holiday music performances? (Answer: Piano)
3. What vocal style is often used in carol singing? (Answer: A cappella)
4. Which type of choir is popular for holiday performances? (Answer: Children’s Choir)
5. What is the name of a musical collection often played during the holiday season? (Answer: Holiday Album)
6. Which holiday music genre features joyous dance tunes? (Answer: Jingle Bells)
7. What percussion instrument is commonly associated with holiday music? (Answer: Drums)
8. What type of music format is often associated with holiday celebration? (Answer: Soundtrack)
9. What type of instruments are often used in marching bands during holiday parades? (Answer: Brass Instruments)
10. What festive chanting style is often used in spiritual holiday music? (Answer: Gregorian Chant)
Songs that Make You Feel Festive
1. What classic holiday tune invites you to roast chestnuts? (Answer: “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”)
2. Which song talks about dashing through the snow? (Answer: “Jingle Bells”)
3. What upbeat holiday song tells a story of a snowman coming to life? (Answer: “Frosty the Snowman”)
4. Who sang the holiday classic “Santa Baby”? (Answer: Eartha Kitt)
5. Which song describes a kid’s dream of having a toy train? (Answer: “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”)
6. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” was originally performed by which artist? (Answer: Vaughn Monroe)
7. What song expresses the essence of giving rather than receiving? (Answer: “The Gift”)
8. Who performed “Wonderful Christmastime,” a holiday hit? (Answer: Paul McCartney)
9. Which upbeat Christmas song talks about a family gathering? (Answer: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”)
10. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is famously performed by which singer? (Answer: Brenda Lee)
Final Thoughts
Holiday music plays an essential role in our festive celebrations, providing a soundtrack to cherished memories and creating an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. We explored a variety of trivia about holiday melodies, from classic carols to modern hits. The stories behind these songs reveal their cultural significance and the creativity of the artists who wrote them. Whether you’re a fan of timeless classics or new pop favorites, holiday music truly makes this season special. To learn more about specific aspects of holiday cheer, don’t miss out on our Christmas trivia printable or dive into fun Christmas songs trivia.
Explore more about these wonderful holiday topics as they bring us closer to the spirit of the season!