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New Year's trivia questions and answers

A ready New Year's Eve trivia night for your bar, party or family room: 50 questions in 5 rounds of 10, each with four choices, a short fact with every answer and an answer key at the end. Print it, or play it on the TV while teams answer on their phones.

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Question 1 of 50
0:20

Which song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's Eve in English-speaking countries?

AHappy Birthday
BAuld Lang Syne
CJingle Bells
DDanny Boy
How question 1 looks on your TV. Teams answer on their phones.
Round 1

Traditions and customs

10 questions
  1. 1

    Which song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's Eve in English-speaking countries?

    • AHappy Birthday
    • BAuld Lang Syne
    • CJingle Bells
    • DDanny Boy
    Show answer

    B. Auld Lang SyneThe Scots poet Robert Burns wrote down the words in 1788.

  2. 2

    What does the title Auld Lang Syne mean in plain English?

    • AHappy new year
    • BFarewell, my friend
    • CCheers to you
    • DTimes gone by
    Show answer

    D. Times gone byLiterally it is Scots for "old long since".

  3. 3

    What is lowered in Times Square in New York City at midnight on December 31?

    • AA lighted ball
    • BA giant star
    • CA giant clock
    • DA glowing apple
    Show answer

    A. A lighted ballThe first ball drop was held in 1907.

  4. 4

    January is named after Janus, the Roman god of what?

    • AWar
    • BThe harvest
    • CThe sea
    • DDoors and beginnings
    Show answer

    D. Doors and beginningsJanus had two faces, one looking back and one looking forward.

  5. 5

    Which ancient people are among the first known to make promises to their gods at the start of a new year?

    • ABabylonians
    • BVikings
    • CAztecs
    • DAncient Greeks
    Show answer

    A. BabyloniansTheir Akitu festival marked the new year.

  6. 6

    Which food is traditionally eaten on New Year's Day for luck in the American South?

    • ABaked beans
    • BBlack-eyed peas
    • CLima beans
    • DChickpeas
    Show answer

    B. Black-eyed peasThey are often served in a dish called Hoppin' John.

  7. 7

    In Spain, how many grapes are eaten at midnight, one for each chime of the clock?

    • A7
    • B10
    • C12
    • D24
    Show answer

    C. 12Each grape stands for one month of the coming year.

  8. 8

    Which of these is a traditional first-footing gift for the first visitor of the year in Scotland?

    • AA feather
    • BA lump of coal
    • CA horseshoe
    • DA bar of soap
    Show answer

    B. A lump of coalShortbread and whisky are also traditional.

  9. 9

    What is the name of the Jewish New Year?

    • ARosh Hashanah
    • BYom Kippur
    • CHanukkah
    • DPurim
    Show answer

    A. Rosh HashanahIt falls in early autumn, not on January 1.

  10. 10

    Lunar New Year moves each year, but always falls in January or which other month?

    • AMarch
    • BDecember
    • CFebruary
    • DApril
    Show answer

    C. FebruaryIt lands between about January 21 and February 20.

Round 2

Around the world

10 questions
  1. 11

    Which city's harbor fireworks, over a famous bridge and opera house, are shown on TV around the world every year?

    • ARio de Janeiro
    • BHong Kong
    • CSydney
    • DDubai
    Show answer

    C. SydneyThe Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House form the backdrop.

  2. 12

    In Brazil, which color do many people wear on New Year's Eve for peace?

    • ARed
    • BWhite
    • CYellow
    • DGreen
    Show answer

    B. WhiteMany also jump seven waves at the beach for luck.

  3. 13

    In which country do people smash old plates against friends' doors on New Year's Eve?

    • ADenmark
    • BNorway
    • CPoland
    • DIreland
    Show answer

    A. DenmarkA big pile of broken china on your step means many friends.

  4. 14

    In Japan, how many times are temple bells rung on New Year's Eve?

    • A100
    • B12
    • C108
    • D365
    Show answer

    C. 108In Buddhist belief the number matches human worldly desires.

  5. 15

    What is the Scottish name for New Year's Eve celebrations?

    • ASamhain
    • BHogmanay
    • CBeltane
    • DBurns Night
    Show answer

    B. HogmanayEdinburgh holds one of the best-known Hogmanay street parties.

  6. 16

    Which food do Italians eat at New Year because the small round shapes look like coins?

    • ALentils
    • BPasta
    • CPolenta
    • DArtichokes
    Show answer

    A. LentilsThey are often served with sausage.

  7. 17

    Songkran, a water-splashing new year festival in mid-April, is best known in which country?

    • AThailand
    • BJapan
    • CSpain
    • DPeru
    Show answer

    A. ThailandPeople splash water on each other to wash away bad luck.

  8. 18

    Which Pacific island nation includes Kiritimati, one of the first places on Earth to reach each new year?

    • AFiji
    • BKiribati
    • CSamoa
    • DTonga
    Show answer

    B. KiribatiKiritimati sits in a time zone 14 hours ahead of UTC.

  9. 19

    In Chinese New Year tradition, what color are the envelopes that hold gifts of money?

    • AGreen
    • BWhite
    • CBlue
    • DRed
    Show answer

    D. RedRed stands for good luck. The envelopes are called hongbao.

  10. 20

    Which animal comes first in the Chinese zodiac cycle?

    • AOx
    • BTiger
    • CDragon
    • DRat
    Show answer

    D. RatThe Rat leads a cycle of 12 animals that repeats every 12 years.

Round 3

History and dates

10 questions
  1. 21

    The Gregorian calendar, used by most of the world, is named after which pope?

    • APius V
    • BGregory XIII
    • CLeo X
    • DUrban VIII
    Show answer

    B. Gregory XIIIHe introduced it in 1582.

  2. 22

    Who introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BC?

    • AAugustus
    • BNero
    • CJulius Caesar
    • DConstantine
    Show answer

    C. Julius CaesarIt had 365 days with a leap day every fourth year.

  3. 23

    How many days does a leap year have?

    • A365
    • B366
    • C364
    • D367
    Show answer

    B. 366The extra day is February 29.

  4. 24

    What was the name of the computer bug feared at midnight on December 31, 1999?

    • AThe Y2K bug
    • BHeartbleed
    • CStuxnet
    • DCode Red
    Show answer

    A. The Y2K bugSystems were fixed beforehand and few serious problems followed.

  5. 25

    In which year did euro coins and notes enter circulation?

    • A1999
    • B2000
    • C2004
    • D2002
    Show answer

    D. 2002The euro existed as an accounting currency from 1999.

  6. 26

    On January 1, 1863, which US president's Emancipation Proclamation took effect?

    • AAndrew Johnson
    • BUlysses Grant
    • CJames Buchanan
    • DAbraham Lincoln
    Show answer

    D. Abraham LincolnIt declared enslaved people in Confederate-held areas free.

  7. 27

    Ellis Island opened to immigrants on January 1 of which year?

    • A1886
    • B1892
    • C1901
    • D1924
    Show answer

    B. 1892The first person processed was Annie Moore from Ireland.

  8. 28

    On January 1, 1801, astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Ceres. What is it classed as today?

    • AA comet
    • BA moon
    • CA dwarf planet
    • DA star
    Show answer

    C. A dwarf planetIt was first called a planet, later an asteroid.

  9. 29

    On January 1, 1983, which early network switched to the TCP/IP protocols the internet still uses?

    • AARPANET
    • BEthernet
    • CUsenet
    • DBITNET
    Show answer

    A. ARPANETThe date is often called the internet's birthday.

  10. 30

    What was the first month of the old Roman calendar?

    • AMarch
    • BJanuary
    • CFebruary
    • DSeptember
    Show answer

    A. MarchThat is why September to December mean seventh to tenth.

Round 4

Songs, movies and culture

10 questions
  1. 31

    Which 1989 romantic comedy ends at a New Year's Eve party?

    • ASleepless in Seattle
    • BWhen Harry Met Sally...
    • CPretty Woman
    • DSplash
    Show answer

    B. When Harry Met Sally...Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star.

  2. 32

    In which 1972 disaster film is a ship turned upside down by a giant wave on New Year's Eve?

    • AThe Towering Inferno
    • BAirport
    • CEarthquake
    • DThe Poseidon Adventure
    Show answer

    D. The Poseidon AdventureThe survivors climb up toward the hull.

  3. 33

    Which band recorded the song Happy New Year, released in 1980?

    • AABBA
    • BBee Gees
    • CQueen
    • DWham!
    Show answer

    A. ABBAIt appears on their album Super Trouper.

  4. 34

    Which band had a 1983 hit called New Year's Day?

    • ADuran Duran
    • BU2
    • CThe Police
    • DGenesis
    Show answer

    B. U2Bono has linked it to Poland's Solidarity movement.

  5. 35

    Which artist's 1982 song says to party like it's 1999?

    • APrince
    • BMichael Jackson
    • CMadonna
    • DDavid Bowie
    Show answer

    A. PrinceThe song's title is simply 1999.

  6. 36

    Which TV host created New Year's Rockin' Eve in 1972?

    • AEd Sullivan
    • BJohnny Carson
    • CMerv Griffin
    • DDick Clark
    Show answer

    D. Dick ClarkHe was nicknamed America's oldest teenager.

  7. 37

    Which bandleader's version of Auld Lang Syne became a fixture of New Year's Eve broadcasts in America?

    • AGlenn Miller
    • BBenny Goodman
    • CGuy Lombardo
    • DDuke Ellington
    Show answer

    C. Guy LombardoHis band played it on New Year's Eve for decades.

  8. 38

    Which famous bell in London is heard on TV at midnight to mark the new year?

    • ABow Bells
    • BGreat Paul
    • CBig Ben
    • DTom Tower
    Show answer

    C. Big BenBig Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of the clock tower.

  9. 39

    The Rose Bowl, usually played on New Year's Day, is a game of which sport?

    • AAmerican football
    • BBaseball
    • CRugby
    • DBasketball
    Show answer

    A. American footballIt is played in Pasadena, California.

  10. 40

    Which is the Spanish way to say Happy New Year?

    • ABonne année
    • BFeliz Año Nuevo
    • CBuon anno
    • DFrohes neues Jahr
    Show answer

    B. Feliz Año NuevoSpain and Latin America share it.

Round 5

Food, drink and mixed bag

10 questions
  1. 41

    Champagne takes its name from a region of which country?

    • AFrance
    • BItaly
    • CSpain
    • DGermany
    Show answer

    A. FranceUnder EU law only sparkling wine from there may be called champagne.

  2. 42

    Champagne's bubbles come from a second what, in the bottle?

    • AFermentation
    • BFiltration
    • CFreezing
    • DPressing
    Show answer

    A. FermentationYeast turns added sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

  3. 43

    Which brunch drink mixes sparkling wine with orange juice?

    • ABellini
    • BMimosa
    • CKir Royale
    • DSpritz
    Show answer

    B. MimosaA Bellini uses peach purée.

  4. 44

    A Bellini is made of Prosecco and the purée of which fruit?

    • AStrawberry
    • BMango
    • CPeach
    • DPear
    Show answer

    C. PeachIt was created in Venice at Harry's Bar in the 1940s.

  5. 45

    Which deep-fried dough balls, often dusted with sugar, do the Dutch eat on New Year's Eve?

    • AStroopwafels
    • BPoffertjes
    • CSpeculaas
    • DOliebollen
    Show answer

    D. OliebollenRaisins are a common addition.

  6. 46

    Which leafy greens are eaten at New Year in the American South because they look like folded money?

    • AIceberg lettuce
    • BEndive
    • CCollard greens
    • DWatercress
    Show answer

    C. Collard greensThey often share the plate with black-eyed peas.

  7. 47

    What does Dry January mean giving up for the month?

    • ASugar
    • BMeat
    • CCaffeine
    • DAlcohol
    Show answer

    D. AlcoholA public campaign started it in the UK in 2013.

  8. 48

    Which gemstone is the traditional birthstone for January?

    • AGarnet
    • BRuby
    • CEmerald
    • DSapphire
    Show answer

    A. GarnetGarnets are most often deep red.

  9. 49

    Which zodiac sign covers January 1 on most calendars?

    • AAquarius
    • BCapricorn
    • CSagittarius
    • DPisces
    Show answer

    B. CapricornCapricorn runs roughly from December 22 to January 19.

  10. 50

    In which hemisphere does New Year's Day fall in summer?

    • ANorthern
    • BSouthern
    • CEastern
    • DWestern
    Show answer

    B. SouthernAustralians celebrate with beach days and barbecues.

Answer key: all 50 answers (show)

Round 1: Traditions and customs

  1. B. Auld Lang Syne The Scots poet Robert Burns wrote down the words in 1788.
  2. D. Times gone by Literally it is Scots for "old long since".
  3. A. A lighted ball The first ball drop was held in 1907.
  4. D. Doors and beginnings Janus had two faces, one looking back and one looking forward.
  5. A. Babylonians Their Akitu festival marked the new year.
  6. B. Black-eyed peas They are often served in a dish called Hoppin' John.
  7. C. 12 Each grape stands for one month of the coming year.
  8. B. A lump of coal Shortbread and whisky are also traditional.
  9. A. Rosh Hashanah It falls in early autumn, not on January 1.
  10. C. February It lands between about January 21 and February 20.

Round 2: Around the world

  1. C. Sydney The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House form the backdrop.
  2. B. White Many also jump seven waves at the beach for luck.
  3. A. Denmark A big pile of broken china on your step means many friends.
  4. C. 108 In Buddhist belief the number matches human worldly desires.
  5. B. Hogmanay Edinburgh holds one of the best-known Hogmanay street parties.
  6. A. Lentils They are often served with sausage.
  7. A. Thailand People splash water on each other to wash away bad luck.
  8. B. Kiribati Kiritimati sits in a time zone 14 hours ahead of UTC.
  9. D. Red Red stands for good luck. The envelopes are called hongbao.
  10. D. Rat The Rat leads a cycle of 12 animals that repeats every 12 years.

Round 3: History and dates

  1. B. Gregory XIII He introduced it in 1582.
  2. C. Julius Caesar It had 365 days with a leap day every fourth year.
  3. B. 366 The extra day is February 29.
  4. A. The Y2K bug Systems were fixed beforehand and few serious problems followed.
  5. D. 2002 The euro existed as an accounting currency from 1999.
  6. D. Abraham Lincoln It declared enslaved people in Confederate-held areas free.
  7. B. 1892 The first person processed was Annie Moore from Ireland.
  8. C. A dwarf planet It was first called a planet, later an asteroid.
  9. A. ARPANET The date is often called the internet's birthday.
  10. A. March That is why September to December mean seventh to tenth.

Round 4: Songs, movies and culture

  1. B. When Harry Met Sally... Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star.
  2. D. The Poseidon Adventure The survivors climb up toward the hull.
  3. A. ABBA It appears on their album Super Trouper.
  4. B. U2 Bono has linked it to Poland's Solidarity movement.
  5. A. Prince The song's title is simply 1999.
  6. D. Dick Clark He was nicknamed America's oldest teenager.
  7. C. Guy Lombardo His band played it on New Year's Eve for decades.
  8. C. Big Ben Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of the clock tower.
  9. A. American football It is played in Pasadena, California.
  10. B. Feliz Año Nuevo Spain and Latin America share it.

Round 5: Food, drink and mixed bag

  1. A. France Under EU law only sparkling wine from there may be called champagne.
  2. A. Fermentation Yeast turns added sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
  3. B. Mimosa A Bellini uses peach purée.
  4. C. Peach It was created in Venice at Harry's Bar in the 1940s.
  5. D. Oliebollen Raisins are a common addition.
  6. C. Collard greens They often share the plate with black-eyed peas.
  7. D. Alcohol A public campaign started it in the UK in 2013.
  8. A. Garnet Garnets are most often deep red.
  9. B. Capricorn Capricorn runs roughly from December 22 to January 19.
  10. B. Southern Australians celebrate with beach days and barbecues.

Host tips

  1. Hold the last round until the countdown. Ask the final question at 11:45 pm and read the answer at midnight, so the quiz ends on the toast.
  2. Keep rounds short on party nights. Ten questions a round takes about 12 minutes, which leaves room for drinks and music between rounds.
  3. Mix the table teams. A party of friends scores better with two or three people from different age groups, because the history and pop culture rounds reward different memories.
  4. Use the fact lines. Read the one-line fact after each answer. It gives the room something to say and cuts arguments about close calls.

Questions hosts ask

How many questions do I need for a New Year's Eve trivia night?

Fifty is a full night of about an hour of play. For a shorter party, take two or three of the rounds. The rounds stand on their own.

Are the answers still right next year?

Yes. Every question is about traditions, history or culture that does not change, so you can reuse the pack each December.

Can I print the questions and the answer key?

Yes. Use the print button on this page. The printout carries the answer key and costs nothing, with no sign-up.

Can people play on their phones?

Yes. Start the pack on the TV, and players scan a QR code and answer in the browser, with no app to install. The free plan covers up to 25 phones.

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