Christmas is an annual celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a Christian holiday observed every 25th of December as a religious and cultural festivity among billions of people all around the world. Christmas songs play a vital role during Christmas as it brings joy and encapsulates a sense of connection to the people. Aside from the fact that it narrates the story of the nativity, it also helps strengthen bonds and builds relationships as families sing along to their all-time favorite Christmas carol.
To make your Christmas holidays more exciting, we’ve prepared some challenging trivia questions related to Christmas songs that will definitely sharpen your mind. Together with your family and friends, test your intelligence with this angelic Christmas song trivia quiz. Enjoy!
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Easy Christmas Song Trivia Questions for Adults and Kids
What is Christmas singing called?
Answer: A carol.
A carol is a song traditionally sung at Christmas itself or during the entire Christmas holiday season.
What is the most published Christmas hymn in North America?
Answer: Joy to the World.
First published in 1719, the English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts wrote the most published Christmas hymn in North America since the 20th century, “Joy to the World”. Its lyrics are said to be an interpretation of Psalm 98, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
In “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, how many reindeer pull Santa Claus’ sleigh?
Answer: Nine.
The number of reindeer who pull Santa’s sleigh varies in different versions. Originally, there were only eight \reindeer namely Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen – as referenced from Clement Moore’s 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas. The addition of the ninth character, famously known as Rudolph, resulted from the popularity of the 1939 storybook and the 1949 Christmas song, both entitled “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.
What gift does the “Little Drummer Boy” present to Baby Jesus?
Answer: He played his drum for him.
Unlike the three wise who gave the newborn Jesus precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the little drummer boy offered his musical talent – playing the drum. This is where he experienced Jesus smiling at him.
What is the most popular children’s Christmas song?
Answer: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.
The Christmas hit song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has been popular with many, especially kids maybe because they can relate to the youngest of Santa’s reindeer.
What song tells a story about a snowman brought to life?
Answer: Frosty the Snowman.
Written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson, “Frosty the Snowman” is a famous Christmas song first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950.
According to the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, how many times does Santa check his list?
Answer: Twice.
In the popular Christmas carol entitled “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, two lines state: “He’s making a list / And checking it twice” – which proves that Santa checked his Christmas list twice.
What kind of pudding is mentioned in the song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”?
Answer: Figgy pudding.
In the popular song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”, the singer was asking the audience to give her figgy pudding, threatening to not leave until she gets some.
In the song “Jingle Bells”, what do they ride?
Answer: A one-horse open sleigh.
In September 1857, the famous song “Jingle Bells” was first published under the title, “The One Horse Open Sleigh”.
Which Christmas song was based on Psalm 98?
Answer: “Joy To The World”.
The 1719 Christmas song entitled “Joy To The World” was written by Isaac Watts as an interpretation of Psalm 98, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ”.
What is the most recorded Christmas song in the modern era?
Answer: “Silent Night”.
“Silent Night tops the list of the most recorded Christmas songs garnering a total of 137,315 recorded versions.
Artist-Related Trivia Questions
Who first recorded the Frank Sinatra hit song entitled “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”?
Answer: Judy Garland.
One of Christmas’ most beloved songs, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for Judy Garland to perform in 1944 musical Meet Me in St. Louis.
How old was Brenda Lee when she recorded the Christmas hit song entitled “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”?
Answer: 13 years old.
Written by Johnny Marks, the Christmas classic song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was first recorded by the 13-year-old Brenda Lee in 1958.
What pop singer has been named Queen of Christmas?
Answer: Mariah Carey.
Aside from being referred to as the “Songbird Supreme”, Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter who has been considered, especially by her fandom, the Queen of Christmas. However, on the 15th of November 2022, the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board denied her exclusive legal rights to the title after applying for the rights to the title in March 2021.
What country music icon wrote “Pretty Paper” by Roy Orbison?
Answer: Willie Nelson.
The self-composed title track “Pretty Paper” was considered the first-ever Christmas album by country singer Willie Nelson. Considered his 24th studio album, the song was also his last release of the 1970s.
“Christmas Lights” was released as a digital download in 2010 by which band?
Answer: Coldplay.
Released on the 1st of December 2010, “Christmas Lights” is a Christmas carol by British alternative rock band, Coldplay, as a digital download single.
“Christmas in Hollis” was released by which hip-hop group in 1987?
Answer: Run- D.M.C..
“Christmas in Hollis”, a single by the hip-hop group Run-DMC, was included on two 1987 Christmas compilation albums featuring various artists namely “A Very Special Christmas” and “Christmas Rap”.
Who released “Lonely This Christmas” in 1975?
Answer: Mud.
In 1975, the English glam rock band Mud released a Christmas song entitled “Lonely This Christmas”, topping the UK Singles Chart with over 750, 000 copies sold.
Which artist sang “Mistletoe and Wine”?
Answer: Cliff Richard.
“Mistletoe and Wine” is a chart-topping Christmas song originally sung by the English musician, Cliff Richard, in 1988.
Which American rapper released a Hip-hop cover version of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” in 2018?
Answer: Tyler, the Creator.
Tyler, the Creator was an American rapper who released a wildly addictive Hip-hop cover version of the song “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, which was said to be a much more rhythmic and heartfelt version than Thurl Ravenscroft’s.
Which of the Beatles wrote the song “Wonderful Christmas Time”?
Answer: Paul McCartney.
Paul McCartney, in his first solo single in over eight years, recorded the Christmas song entitled “Wonderful Christmas Time” and released it in November 1979.
Who is the “Father of Philippine Christmas Music”?
Answer: Jose Mari Chan.
Jose Mari Chan is a Filipino singer famous for his Christmas songs, especially “Christmas In Our Hearts”, which earned him the moniker, “Father of Philippine Christmas Music”.
Who originally wrote “White Christmas”?
Answer: Irving Berlin.
Considered the most prolific songwriter of the 20th century, Irving Berlin originally wrote the classic song “White Christmas” for a Broadway musical that was never produced.
Entertainment Trivia Questions
What movie from popular culture references “Jingle Bell Rock” in the opening scene?
Answer: Lethal Weapon.
The 1987 action film Lethal Weapon, opens to the sounds of the Christmas song, “Jingle Bell Rocks”, during the display of the movie’s opening credits.
What was the best-selling Christmas album of all time?
Answer: Elvis’ Christmas Album by Elvis Presley.
Featuring a collection of 12 classic Christmas songs, Elvis’ Christmas Album held the top spot on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and remains the top-selling Christmas album of all time.
What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
Answer: White Christmas.
In 1942, the American singer Bing Crosby recorded the best-selling Christmas song of all time, “White Christmas”, generating £300, 000 every year and selling a whopping 50 million copies making it also the highest-selling single of all time worldwide.
What carol shares a title with a 1984 Mickey Rooney Film?
Answer: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
The 1984 American made-for-television Christmas drama film starring Mickey Rooney shares the title, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”, with the 1849 poem and Christmas carol written by Edmund Sears, a pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts.
In what film did Doris Day sing “Christmas Story”?
Answer: On Moonlight Bay.
The originally written Christmas carol “Christmas Story” was sung by Doris Day and Gordon Macrae with accompanying carolers in the 1951 American musical film, On Moonlight Bay.
In which song is there a snowman named Parson Brown?
Answer: Winter Wonderland.
In the Christmas song entitled “Winter Wonderland”, the couple builds a snowman in a meadow and pretends it’s Parson Brown.
Which Hollywood movie did the classic “White Christmas” first appear in?
Answer: Holiday Inn.
The American singer Bing Crosby first sang his Christmas song entitled “White Christmas” in the 1942 film, Holiday Inn.
What brings Frosty the Snowman to life?
Answer: A magical hat.
In the 1969 animated Christmas television special, “Frosty the Snowman”, the magical hat of a magician named Professor Hinkle was blown off the wind and caught by one of his students, Karen. She then puts it on Frosty’s head, bringing him to life.
What activity inspired the Christmas hit song “Jingle Bells”?
Answer: Annual one-horse open-sleigh races.
The popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” was written in 1850 by Massachusetts resident, James Pierpont. It was claimed to be inspired by the annual one-horse open-sleigh races on Salem and Pleasant Streets between Medford Square and Malden Square.
What Chuck Berry hit was based on the classic children’s song entitled “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer”?
Answer: Run Rudolph Run.
In 1958, St. Nicholas Music published the Chuck Berry hit song “Run Rudolph Run” which was credited to Johnny Marks because of his trademark on the character of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Hard Christmas Songs Trivia Questions
When was the Christmas song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” first recorded?
Answer: 1963.
The classic Christmas song entitled “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” was first recorded by the pop singer, Andy Williams, for his first Christmas album in 1963.
What pop Christmas hit was released in 1984 but did not rank in the charts until 2017?
Answer: “Last Christmas” by Wham!.
“Last Christmas”, a song by the British pop duo Wham!, has reached the top spot in the UK single for the first, 36 years after it was released.
What carol is also known by the title “Adeste Fideles”?
Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful.
“Adeste Fideles” is the Latin translation of a beautifully written Christmas carol entitled “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. It was first printed in Latin in 1751 as “Adeste Fideles”, and was translated into English nearly a century later by Frederick Oakeley in 1841.
“Christmas Lights” was released as a digital download in 2010 by which band?
Answer: Coldplay.
Released on the 1st of December 2010, “Christmas Lights” is a Christmas carol by British alternative rock band, Coldplay, as a digital download single.
Jim Brickman (Five for Fighting) wrote and sang what Christmas song as a tribute to deployed soldiers?
Answer: “Christmas Where You Are” .
The Christmas song “Christmas Where You Are” is a music collaboration of Jim Brickman and Five For Fighting released in 2017 as a tribute to troops. The hit song’s music video features pictures of brave people serving the country.
What kind of pudding is mentioned in the song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”?
Answer: Figgy pudding.
In the popular song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”, the singer was asking the audience to give her figgy pudding, threatening to not leave until she gets some.
Which carol is set to a tune by Mendelssohn?
Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
One of the most sung carols, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”, had its melody written by the German composer, Felix Mendelssohn, in 1840.
Which popular Christmas carol is based on a French poem?
Answer: O Holy Night.
Composed based on an 1843 French-language poem “Minuit, chrétiens”, “O Holy Night” is an 1847 revered carol by Adolphe Adam.
“Silent Night” was originally composed in 1816 in what country?
Answer: Austria.
Written by a young priest in 1818 in Austria, “Silent Night” is a calm Christmas carol that was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011.
What was the first-ever Christmas song known?
Answer: “Jesus, Refulsit Omnium”.
In the 4th century, the first recognized Christmas hymn was composed bearing the title, “Jesus, Refulsit Omnium”, which translates to “Jesus illuminates all”.
Who wrote the first-ever Christmas song known?
Answer: St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers, sometimes referred to as the “Hammer of the Arians”, was a Doctor of the Church who was said to be the writer of the first-ever Christmas song in the 4th century.
Which Christmas song inspired a truce during World War I?
Answer: Silent Night.
On Christmas eve of the year 1914, British troops found Christmas trees on the German side of the fight as they heard the soldiers singing “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”). They responded by singing the English lyrics and eventually decided on a truce, beginning a night of camaraderie, music, and peace.
What was the first Christmas song to mention Santa Claus?
Answer: “Up On The Housetop”.
Benjamin Hanby, inspired by Clement Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”, wrote the first Christmas song to ever mention Santa Claus which was entitled “Up On The Housetop”.
When was the song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” written?
Answer: 9th century.
Although it gained its popularity in the 18th century, the Christmas song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was written, originally in Latin, around the 9th century.
What was “Jingle Bells” originally written for?
Answer: Thanksgiving.
The Christmas song entitled “Jingle Bells” was a song by James Pierpont that was claimed to be sung by a Sunday school choir to celebrate Thanksgiving.
What was the Christmas song that the American military played over Armed Forces Radio in April 1975 as a covert signal that gives instructions to the soldiers in Vietnam?
Answer: White Christmas.
In April 1975, “White Christmas”, a song written by Bing Crosby, was played over Armed Forces Radio by the American military as a secret signal instructing the remaining soldiers in Vietnam to evacuate Saigon.
What was the first song performed in space?
Answer: “Jingle Bells”.
On the 16th of December 1965, “Jingle Bells” was played on a harmonica and bells during NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight – making it the first song ever to be performed in space using a musical instrument.
What was the Christmas song originally written as a plea for peace during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis?
Answer: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”.
In October 1962, Noёl Regney and his wife, Gloria Shayne, wrote a song entitled “Do You Hear What I Hear?” as a powerful plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What German Christmas song translates to “O Christmas Tree” in English?
Answer: “O Tannenbaum”.
Although it does not actually refer to a Christmas tree, the German Christmas song “O Tannenbaum”, which also refers to a “fir tree”, became associated with the Christmas season because a fir tree is one of the most popularly used Christmas trees.
