Christmas Around the World Quiz — 25 Global Holiday Questions
Christmas is celebrated in wildly different ways depending on where you are in the world. While many of us picture snow, stockings, and a roast turkey, families in other countries might be roller skating to church, eating fried chicken, or hiding brooms from mischievous spirits.
This quiz covers 25 fascinating international Christmas traditions. Whether you are hosting a holiday party, planning a classroom activity, or just curious about how the rest of the world celebrates, these questions will surprise and delight you.
Questions 1-10: Asia, Europe & the Pacific
1. In Japan, what fast-food chain has become the traditional Christmas dinner for millions of families?
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KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). The tradition began with a 1974 marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas). Today, Japanese families often place their KFC Christmas orders weeks in advance.
2. How many Yule Lads visit children in Iceland before Christmas?
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13 Yule Lads (Jolasveinarnir). One arrives each night for the 13 nights before Christmas. Each has a distinct personality and name — like Spoon Licker, Door Slammer, and Sausage Swiper. They leave gifts in shoes on windowsills for good children and rotten potatoes for naughty ones.
3. In Australia, Christmas falls during which season?
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Summer. December 25th is right in the middle of the Australian summer, so families often celebrate with beach barbecues, seafood (especially prawns), and outdoor activities like surfing and cricket.
4. What do children in the Netherlands leave out for Sinterklaas's horse instead of cookies for Santa?
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Carrots and hay, placed in a shoe by the fireplace. In return, Sinterklaas fills the shoe with small gifts, chocolate coins, and treats.
5. In Finland, many families visit this solemn place on Christmas Eve to honor loved ones. Where do they go?
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Cemeteries. Finnish families place candles on the graves of deceased relatives on Christmas Eve, creating a beautiful and moving display of light across the snowy graveyards.
6. In the Philippines, what is the name of the giant star-shaped lantern displayed during Christmas?
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The Parol. These colorful lanterns symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and are a central part of Filipino Christmas decorations. The city of San Fernando holds an annual Giant Lantern Festival with parols that can reach up to 20 feet in diameter.
7. Which European country has a tradition of hiding all brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches from stealing them?
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Norway. According to Norwegian folklore, Christmas Eve is when witches and evil spirits come out, and they might steal brooms to ride on. So families hide their brooms before going to bed.
8. In India, since most people do not have fir or pine trees, what do many families use as a Christmas tree?
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Banana or mango trees. Some families also decorate their homes with mango leaves and use small oil-burning lamps placed on flat rooftops as decorations.
9. In which country do people celebrate Christmas by enjoying a traditional sauna on Christmas Eve?
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Finland. The Christmas sauna (joulusauna) is one of the most important Finnish Christmas traditions. Families bathe before the evening festivities, and it is considered a time of peace and purification.
10. What is Boxing Day, celebrated on December 26th in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries?
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Boxing Day originated as a day when servants and tradespeople received gifts (called "Christmas boxes") from their employers. Today it is a public holiday associated with shopping sales, sporting events, and relaxation.
Questions 11-18: The Americas & Africa
11. In Venezuela, what unusual mode of transportation do people in Caracas use to get to early morning Christmas Mass?
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Roller skates. It is a beloved tradition for residents to roller skate to the "Misa de Aguinaldo" (early morning Mass) during the week before Christmas. Many streets are closed to traffic so skaters can travel safely.
12. In Mexico, what are "Las Posadas"?
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Las Posadas are a series of nine nightly processions held from December 16 to 24. They reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Neighbors go door to door singing, and each night ends with a celebration including food, a pinata, and ponche (hot fruit punch).
13. In Brazil, who is the Christmas gift-bringer, and how does he arrive?
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Papai Noel (Father Noel). Since Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere and Christmas is during summer, he is often depicted wearing silk clothing instead of heavy fur and arriving by helicopter rather than a sleigh.
14. In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th and is known by what name?
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Ganna (or Genna). Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 7th because they follow the Julian calendar. A traditional game similar to field hockey, also called ganna, is played on this day.
15. In Guatemala, what do people burn in front of their houses on December 7th to symbolize purification?
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Piles of garbage and old belongings in a celebration called "La Quema del Diablo" (The Burning of the Devil). It symbolizes burning the devil out of their homes and purifying the household before Christmas.
16. What country celebrates "Noche Buena" on December 24th with a midnight feast that is considered more important than Christmas Day itself?
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Many Latin American countries celebrate Noche Buena, but the Philippines is particularly famous for its elaborate midnight feast on Christmas Eve, called "Noche Buena," which includes dishes like lechon (roast pig), queso de bola (cheese), and ham.
17. In South Africa, what deep-fried treat made with dough and soaked in syrup is a popular Christmas snack?
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Koeksisters. These braided doughnuts are deep-fried and then dipped in cold sugar syrup, making them sticky and sweet. They are a staple at South African Christmas celebrations.
18. In Argentina, what do people release into the sky on Christmas Eve at midnight?
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Paper lanterns (globos) and fireworks. Families gather outside at midnight to light and release sky lanterns, creating a spectacular display. Neighborhoods also set off fireworks simultaneously.
Questions 19-25: More Global Traditions
19. In Germany, what is an Advent calendar, and when does it start?
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An Advent calendar counts down the days until Christmas, starting on December 1st and ending on the 24th or 25th. Each day has a small door or window hiding a treat, toy, or image. The tradition originated in Germany in the early 1900s.
20. In Spain, when do children traditionally receive their Christmas gifts — and from whom?
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On January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany (Dia de los Reyes). The gifts come from the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) — Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. Children leave their shoes out the night before, along with water and food for the camels.
21. In Sweden, a giant straw goat is erected every year in the city of Gavle. What frequently happens to it?
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It gets burned down by arsonists. The Gavle Goat (Gavlebocken), erected since 1966, has been illegally burned down dozens of times. It has become an unofficial tradition, and the city takes extensive measures each year to protect it.
22. In which country is it tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve, one for each stroke of the clock?
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Spain. Each grape represents one month of the coming year, and eating all 12 in time is believed to bring good luck. This tradition, called "las doce uvas de la suerte," has spread to many Latin American countries as well.
23. In Poland, Christmas Eve dinner (Wigilia) traditionally includes how many dishes, and why that number?
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12 dishes, representing the 12 Apostles. The meal is meatless and typically includes dishes like borscht, pierogi, carp, herring, and poppy seed cake. An extra place is always set at the table for an unexpected guest.
24. In which country might you find a Christmas decoration in the shape of a spider and its web hanging on the tree?
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Ukraine. According to Ukrainian legend, a poor family could not afford to decorate their tree, so spiders spun beautiful webs on it overnight. When sunlight hit the webs, they turned to silver and gold. Spider web ornaments are now considered good luck.
25. In New Zealand, what native tree blooms with bright red flowers around Christmas time and is known as the "New Zealand Christmas tree"?
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The Pohutukawa tree. Its vibrant crimson flowers bloom in late December, earning it the nickname "New Zealand Christmas tree." It grows along coastal areas and is an iconic symbol of a Kiwi summer Christmas.
Using This Quiz
These questions work great for holiday parties, classroom activities, or family gatherings. You can play as a traditional quiz with answer sheets, or go through the questions one at a time using the click-to-reveal answers above.
For a party setting, consider organizing the questions into geographic rounds (Asia, Europe, Americas) and awarding bonus points to any team that can name the country before the full question is read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country eats KFC for Christmas dinner?
Japan. Thanks to a hugely successful 1974 marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas), millions of Japanese families order KFC as their Christmas meal. Many place orders weeks in advance to avoid long lines.
What are the Yule Lads in Iceland?
The Yule Lads (Jolasveinarnir) are 13 mischievous troll-like figures from Icelandic folklore. One arrives each night for the 13 nights before Christmas, leaving gifts in shoes for good children and rotten potatoes for naughty ones. They are the sons of the fearsome ogress Gryla.
Why do Venezuelans roller skate to Christmas Mass?
In Caracas, Venezuela, it is a beloved tradition for people to roller skate to early morning Christmas Mass services during the week leading up to Christmas. The tradition is so popular that streets are closed to car traffic so skaters can travel safely. The exact origin is unclear, but the tradition has been going strong for decades.
How does Australia celebrate Christmas differently?
Since Christmas falls during summer in the Southern Hemisphere, Australians often celebrate with beach barbecues, seafood (especially prawns and lobster), outdoor picnics, and activities like surfing and swimming. "Carols by Candlelight" is a popular outdoor concert tradition held in parks and public spaces.