Want to make your New Year’s gathering more fun?
Many people find themselves doing the same activities each year – watching the ball drop, making resolutions, and sharing a midnight toast.
But parties often need an extra spark to keep guests engaged and create memorable moments.
Here’s the good news: trivia questions can turn your typical celebration into an entertaining and competitive experience.
With the right mix of questions, you’ll keep your friends guessing and learn interesting facts about this worldwide celebration.
This article brings you over 120 carefully selected New Year’s trivia questions, ranging from historical traditions to modern customs across different cultures.
Get ready to test your knowledge about global celebrations, fascinating customs, and little-known facts that make New Year’s celebrations special worldwide.
History of New Year Celebrations
- What ancient civilization first celebrated New Year’s in March?
Answer: The Babylonians. - Which calendar reform moved New Year’s Day to January 1?
Answer: The Gregorian Calendar. - What Roman god is the month of January named after?
Answer: Janus. - What year was the first Times Square Ball Drop in New York City?
Answer: 1907. - Which empire celebrated New Year on the vernal equinox?
Answer: The Persian Empire. - Which culture traditionally celebrates New Year during the Lunar New Year?
Answer: Chinese culture. - What is the name of the Scottish New Year celebration?
Answer: Hogmanay. - What year did the United Nations adopt the Gregorian calendar as the global standard?
Answer: 1582. - Which European country was one of the last to adopt January 1 as New Year’s Day?
Answer: Russia. - What festival marked the Babylonian New Year?
Answer: Akitu. - In which country is the New Year called “Songkran” and celebrated in April?
Answer: Thailand. - What country celebrates New Year by smashing old dishes?
Answer: Denmark. - What ancient civilization considered New Year the “rebirth of the sun”?
Answer: The Egyptians. - When did Julius Caesar establish January 1 as New Year’s Day?
Answer: 46 BC. - Which French king reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1564?
Answer: King Charles IX. - What culture celebrates the New Year with the festival of Rosh Hashanah?
Answer: Jewish culture. - What country celebrates New Year with a 108-bell ceremony called “Joya no Kane”?
Answer: Japan. - Which US President was the first to officially celebrate January 1 as a holiday?
Answer: George Washington. - What was the original purpose of the Times Square Ball?
Answer: To signify the passage of time. - How did ancient Mesopotamians celebrate New Year?
Answer: Through rituals and processions for the gods. - What is the significance of the New Year festival “Nowruz”?
Answer: It marks the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. - Which civilization created the concept of New Year resolutions?
Answer: The Babylonians. - What is the name of the festival celebrated on New Year’s Eve in Spain?
Answer: Nochevieja. - What European country has a tradition of celebrating New Year’s on March 25?
Answer: England (prior to 1752). - What is the oldest known celebration of the New Year?
Answer: The Babylonian Akitu Festival. - Which country’s New Year traditions include jumping over seven waves?
Answer: Brazil. - Which two European countries celebrate New Year with first-footing traditions?
Answer: Scotland and England. - What early calendar used by Romans began the New Year in March?
Answer: The Roman Calendar. - What Native American tribe celebrates the New Year with the “Feast of the Great Spirit”?
Answer: The Cherokee. - What does the Times Square Ball weigh?
Answer: About 11,875 pounds.
New Year’s Traditions Around the World
- Which country wears white for peace on New Year’s Eve?
Answer: Brazil. - What country celebrates New Year with 12 grapes at midnight?
Answer: Spain. - Which Asian country releases sky lanterns during New Year’s?
Answer: Thailand. - What food is considered lucky in Italy on New Year’s?
Answer: Lentils. - What color underwear is traditionally worn in Mexico for luck?
Answer: Red for love, yellow for money. - In what country do people eat rice cakes called Tteokguk on New Year?
Answer: South Korea. - Which US state celebrates the New Year by dropping a giant peach?
Answer: Georgia. - What country celebrates by tossing water out windows?
Answer: Puerto Rico. - What Scandinavian country celebrates by smashing rice pudding bowls?
Answer: Denmark. - Which Caribbean country celebrates with the Junkanoo festival?
Answer: The Bahamas. - Which country jumps off chairs at midnight to welcome the New Year?
Answer: Denmark. - What fruit is often eaten for prosperity in the Philippines?
Answer: Round fruits like oranges. - In Scotland, what is traditionally carried by the first-foot?
Answer: A lump of coal. - What is the purpose of wearing polka dots on New Year’s in the Philippines?
Answer: To attract wealth. - Which country welcomes the New Year by banging bread against walls?
Answer: Ireland. - Which South American country burns effigies for good luck?
Answer: Ecuador. - What do Russians write on paper and burn at midnight for good luck?
Answer: A wish. - In what country do people sweep out their homes to welcome the New Year?
Answer: Japan. - What country celebrates New Year with singing “Auld Lang Syne”?
Answer: Scotland. - In Colombia, what do people carry around their neighborhoods to bring travel in the New Year?
Answer: Suitcases. - Which country lights candles in various colors for specific fortunes?
Answer: Mexico. - What do people in Germany drop into cold water to predict the year?
Answer: Lead (Bleigießen). - Which country celebrates New Year by diving into icy waters?
Answer: The Netherlands. - In what country are donuts eaten for good luck on New Year’s?
Answer: The Netherlands. - What animal-shaped bread is eaten in Italy for good luck?
Answer: Dove-shaped bread. - In which country do people perform “door-to-door blessings”?
Answer: Wales. - Which country wears paper crowns made from Christmas crackers?
Answer: England. - What vegetable is associated with Scottish New Year feasts?
Answer: Leeks. - What flower is a traditional gift in Japan during New Year’s?
Answer: Chrysanthemums. - What is the traditional New Year drink in Mexico?
Answer: Ponche.
Fun Facts About New Year’s Resolutions
- What percentage of people break their New Year’s resolutions by February?
Answer: About 80%. - What is the most common New Year’s resolution?
Answer: Exercise more. - Which age group is most likely to set resolutions?
Answer: People in their 20s. - What percentage of people achieve their resolutions?
Answer: Around 8%. - What app often sees the biggest surge in usage in January?
Answer: Fitness apps. - What resolution involves spending less money?
Answer: Save more. - What is the second most common New Year’s resolution?
Answer: Eating healthier. - Which activity is often linked with resolutions for mindfulness?
Answer: Meditation. - What resolution relates to improving relationships?
Answer: Spend more time with family and friends. - What percentage of New Year’s resolutions involve financial goals?
Answer: Around 35%. - Which resolution involves reducing time spent online?
Answer: Limiting social media usage. - What is the most common reason people fail to stick to resolutions?
Answer: Lack of motivation. - What tool do many people use to track progress on resolutions?
Answer: Journals or apps. - What month sees the highest gym enrollment due to resolutions?
Answer: January. - What resolution involves learning something new?
Answer: Picking up a new skill or hobby. - What habit is frequently cited in resolutions for quitting?
Answer: Smoking. - Which New Year’s resolution focuses on helping others?
Answer: Volunteering or giving back. - What resolution is associated with career improvement?
Answer: Advancing in the workplace or finding a new job. - Which financial resolution often involves cutting back on indulgences?
Answer: Reducing unnecessary spending. - What resolution relates to improving mental health?
Answer: Practicing self-care. - What percentage of people write down their resolutions?
Answer: About 40%. - What is a common health-related resolution besides fitness?
Answer: Getting more sleep. - Which resolution is commonly tied to improving time management?
Answer: Being more organized. - What kind of goal is “reading more books” an example of?
Answer: Personal development. - What do people commonly resolve to drink less of?
Answer: Alcohol. - What phrase is often used to describe unkept resolutions by February?
Answer: “Fizzling out.” - What is the success rate of people who set small, achievable resolutions?
Answer: Significantly higher than those with vague goals. - Which resolution involves reducing environmental impact?
Answer: Going green or being more eco-conscious. - What percentage of resolutions are abandoned within one month?
Answer: Over 50%. - What is the best strategy for sticking to a resolution?
Answer: Setting realistic and specific goals.
New Year’s Celebrations in Pop Culture
- What song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
Answer: “Auld Lang Syne.” - What movie features a famous New Year’s Eve countdown scene with the Empire State Building?
Answer: Sleepless in Seattle. - Which romantic comedy features New Year’s resolutions as a major theme?
Answer: Bridget Jones’s Diary. - Which Friends episode features New Year’s Eve parties?
Answer: “The One with the Monkey.” - Which artist wrote the song “Happy New Year”?
Answer: ABBA. - What animated movie includes a New Year’s Eve scene in Paris?
Answer: Ratatouille. - In which movie does a New Year’s party play a crucial role in the plot?
Answer: When Harry Met Sally. - What famous New Year’s Eve performance did Mariah Carey give in 2016?
Answer: A live show with technical difficulties. - Which Netflix show released a special New Year’s Eve countdown episode for kids?
Answer: Skylanders Academy. - What Disney movie features a song about celebrating the New Year?
Answer: High School Musical. - What TV series has an episode titled “New Year’s Day” centered around a zombie apocalypse?
Answer: Black Mirror. - What 2011 movie revolves around New Year’s Eve in New York City?
Answer: New Year’s Eve. - What streaming platform offers personalized New Year’s countdowns?
Answer: Netflix. - Which musician famously sang “Auld Lang Syne” during a New Year’s concert?
Answer: Bing Crosby. - What popular children’s TV show features New Year-themed episodes?
Answer: Peppa Pig. - Which famous couple had their engagement announced on New Year’s Eve 2019?
Answer: Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler. - What Marvel TV series included a New Year’s Eve countdown scene?
Answer: Hawkeye. - Which singer holds the record for most New Year’s Eve performances in Times Square?
Answer: Taylor Swift. - What holiday special hosted by Ryan Seacrest airs every New Year’s Eve?
Answer: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. - Which late-night host famously did a countdown to the New Year on his talk show?
Answer: Johnny Carson.
Miscellaneous New Year’s Trivia
- Which country celebrates New Year first due to time zones?
Answer: Kiribati. - What US city drops a 400-pound potato instead of a ball on New Year’s?
Answer: Boise, Idaho. - What is the Chinese Zodiac animal for 2024?
Answer: Dragon. - What famous New Year’s tradition involves kissing at midnight?
Answer: To ensure a year of love. - What is the main ingredient in Hoppin’ John, a Southern New Year’s dish?
Answer: Black-eyed peas. - What country celebrates the “Water Festival” for New Year?
Answer: Cambodia. - What is the average temperature in Times Square during New Year’s Eve?
Answer: Around 33°F (0.5°C). - What is the most-watched global New Year’s event?
Answer: The Times Square Ball Drop. - What European city is known for its grand fireworks show on New Year’s?
Answer: London. - Which alcoholic beverage is most commonly associated with New Year’s Eve?
Answer: Champagne. - What vegetable is a symbol of prosperity in Southern US New Year’s meals?
Answer: Collard greens. - What is the world’s longest firework display for New Year?
Answer: Dubai. - What is the Spanish word for New Year’s Eve?
Answer: Nochevieja. - What is the French tradition of making wishes for the New Year called?
Answer: La Bonne Année. - What city holds the largest New Year’s Eve party in Brazil?
Answer: Rio de Janeiro. - What is the Italian word for New Year’s Eve?
Answer: La Vigilia di Capodanno. - What food is associated with Dutch New Year’s celebrations?
Answer: Oliebollen. - What is the traditional Scottish song sung on New Year’s?
Answer: Auld Lang Syne. - Which US city drops a giant pickle for New Year’s?
Answer: Mount Olive, North Carolina. - What is the Italian phrase for “Happy New Year”?
Answer: Buon Anno.
Conclusion
Testing your knowledge of New Year’s traditions and customs does more than just make parties fun – it helps us understand how people worldwide celebrate this special time.
These trivia questions show us that despite our different backgrounds, we all share the hope and excitement a new year brings.
Ready to put these questions to use? Print them out, create teams, and watch as your guests compete and connect while learning fascinating facts about global celebrations. You might even start a new tradition of your own!
Want to make your trivia night even better? Share your experience in the comments below, or tell us about unique New Year’s traditions from your culture.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page for your next gathering – these questions work great for holiday parties, classroom activities, or family game nights.
