Thanksgiving Trivia

110+ Best Thanksgiving Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: July 6th, 2023

Gather around the turkey! It's time to look at some Thanksgiving trivia. Look at some Thanksgiving facts, history, traditions, food, and so on. Let's go!

General Thanksgiving Trivia

Question: Who was the first president to pardon a turkey?

Answer: Harry Truman

Question: What is the name of the woman who wrote “Mary Had A Little Lamb”?

Answer: Sarah Josepha Hale

Question: What is the name of the organization that sends a ceremonial turkey to the president each year?

Answer: The National Turkey Federation

Question: What wasn't part of the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Balloons

Question: Black Friday isn't the only holiday the day after Thanksgiving. What's the other?

Answer: Native American Heritage Day

Question: How many passengers were on the Mayflower?

Answer: 102

Question: When did the Mayflower officially depart England for America?

Answer: September 6, 1620

Question: Which Founding Father once proclaimed, “No citizen of the U.S. shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day”?

Answer: Alexander Hamilton

Question: A Thanksgiving turkey mix-up inspired what popular meal trend?

Answer: Frozen TV dinners

Question: What percentage of Americans actually eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Answer: 88%

Question: How heavy was the heaviest turkey ever recorded?

Answer: 86 pounds

Question: How many runners participated in America’s first turkey trot?

Answer: Six

Question: According to Americans, what's the best part of Thanksgiving?

Answer: The leftovers

Question: How many calls does the Butterball turkey talk line get each year?

Answer: 100,000

Question: According to Henry Ward Beecher, what slays thanksgiving?

Answer: Pride

Thanksgiving History Trivia

Question: How long was the first Thanksgiving celebration?

Answer: 3 Days

Question: What was the first Thanksgiving celebrated for?

Answer: A three day harvest festival

Question: What kind of food was served at the first Thanksgiving?

Answer: Venison and duck

Question: When was green bean casserole introduced to Thanksgiving dinners?

Answer: 1955

Question: During which Revolutionary War battle did troops have a day of Thanksgiving?

Answer: The Battle of Saratoga

Question: What wasn't part of the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Balloons

Question: What city has the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Answer: Philadelphia

Question: When was the first Thanksgiving NFL game?

Answer: 1920

Question: How long is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route?

Answer: 2.5 miles

Question: What are the three most-disliked Thanksgiving foods?

Answer: Cranberry sauce

Question: What is another name for cranberries?

Answer: Bounceberry

Question: When did canned cranberries first come about?

Answer: 1912

Question: The Campbell Soup Company invented which staple of the Thanksgiving dinner in 1955?

Answer: Green bean casserole

Question: What U.S. city calls itself the Pumpkin Capital of the World?

Answer: Morton, Illinois

Thanksgiving Entertainment Trivia

Question: What is the name of an American fiddle song featuring a turkey often played at Thanksgiving parties?

Answer: “Turkey in the Straw”

Question: What movie centers around two turkeys traveling back in time to prevent Thanksgiving?

Answer: Free Birds

Question: What household danger triples on Thanksgiving?

Answer: Home fires

Question: How long can a turkey live and at what age are they slaughtered for food?

Answer: 15 years

Question: What state consumes the most turkey every Thanksgiving?

Answer: California

Thanksgiving Facts Trivia

Question: What year did Thanksgiving become an official national holiday in the United States?

Answer: 1863

Question: What is the most popular pie flavor during Thanksgiving?

Answer: Pumpkin

Question: Which president established Thanksgiving as an annual holiday on the fourth Thursday in November?

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Question: What was the original color of cranberries?

Answer: White

Question: What is the estimated number of turkeys consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving each year?

Answer: 46 million

Question: What was the main protein dish at the first Thanksgiving in 1621?

Answer: Venison (deer meat)

Question: What is the traditional beverage often served with Thanksgiving dinner?

Answer: Apple cider

Question: What is the approximate weight of the largest pumpkin pie ever made?

Answer: 3,699 pounds

Question: How long is the average turkey's roasting time at 325°F?

Answer: 15 minutes per pound

Question: What famous rock band performed during the halftime show of the first Thanksgiving Day football game in 1974?

Answer: The Wailers (Bob Marley's band)

Thanksgiving in Songs Trivia

Question: Which classic Thanksgiving song includes the lyrics, "Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go"?

Answer: "Over the River and Through the Woods"

Question: What popular Thanksgiving song was written by Irving Berlin and features the line, "I've got plenty to be thankful for"?

Answer: "I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For"

Question: In which song does the line "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing" appear?

Answer: "We Gather Together"

Question: Which song expresses gratitude with the lyrics, "Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing"?

Answer: "Thank You for the Music" by ABBA

Question: Which well-known artist recorded the song "Thanksgiving" that includes the line, "It's a time to be thankful for all we've got"?

Answer: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Question: Which holiday song, often associated with Thanksgiving, includes the lyrics, "It's the most wonderful time of the year"?

Answer: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

Question: What song by Adam Sandler humorously recounts the story of Thanksgiving and mentions a turkey who is "a little bit nervous"?

Answer: "The Thanksgiving Song"

Question: Which band released the song "Thank You for Being a Friend," which became famous as the theme song for the TV show "The Golden Girls"?

Answer: Andrew Gold

Question: Which famous singer performed the song "Thanksgiving Prayer," which reflects on the importance of gratitude during the holiday season?

Answer: Johnny Cash

Question: What song by Natalie Merchant includes the line, "These are days you'll remember"?

Answer: "These Are Days"

Thanksgiving in Movies Trivia

Question: In the movie "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," what is the character Del Griffith's profession?

Answer: Shower curtain ring salesman

Question: Which classic Thanksgiving-themed film features a character named Charlie Brown?

Answer: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"

Question: In the film "Home for the Holidays," who directed the dysfunctional family comedy-drama?

Answer: Jodie Foster

Question: What movie centers around a family's elaborate plan to steal a Thanksgiving Day parade balloon?

Answer: "Tower Heist"

Question: In the comedy film "Dutch," what is Dutch Dooley's mission during Thanksgiving?

Answer: To pick up his girlfriend's son from boarding school and bring him home for the holiday

Question: Which movie features the line, "If I cook, all of my guests will say, 'Oh, everything is so good.'"?

Answer: "You've Got Mail"

Question: In the film "Pieces of April," what is the protagonist's goal for Thanksgiving dinner?

Answer: To create a successful and memorable meal for her estranged family

Question: Which movie showcases a Thanksgiving dinner scene where the main character's date ends up in a wrestling match with her ex-boyfriend?

Answer: "The Blind Side"

Question: In the film "Son in Law," what character played by Pauly Shore unexpectedly joins a family for Thanksgiving?

Answer: Crawl

Question: Which movie features a Thanksgiving-themed high school talent show known as the "Turkey Day Play"?

Answer: "Addams Family Values"

Question: In the romantic comedy "Serendipity," what Thanksgiving dessert becomes a symbol of destiny for the two main characters?

Answer: Pumpkin pie

Question: What movie follows the story of a chef who goes on a road trip to retrieve his prized turkey that has gone missing?

Answer: "Free Birds"

Question: In the film "The Ice Storm," what real-life historic event serves as a backdrop for the Thanksgiving weekend in the story?

Answer: The 1973 energy crisis

Question: Which movie depicts a group of friends reuniting for a Thanksgiving dinner that turns chaotic?

Answer: "The Big Chill"

Question: In the comedy film "For Your Consideration," what Thanksgiving-themed movie is being filmed within the story?

Answer: "Home for Purim"

Question: What animated movie features a Thanksgiving dinner scene where the turkey is spared and becomes a member of the family?

Answer: "Free Birds"

Question: In the movie "Funny People," what comedian's televised Thanksgiving roast turns into a heartfelt apology?

Answer: Adam Sandler

Question: Which movie follows the story of a man who becomes a cross-dressing nanny and hosts a memorable Thanksgiving dinner?

Answer: "Mrs. Doubtfire"

Question: In the film "Sweet November," what holiday is celebrated during the final scenes, which take place on Thanksgiving?

Answer: Christmas

Question: Which movie includes a memorable Thanksgiving scene where a food fight breaks out at the dinner table?

Answer: "The Nutty Professor"

Thanksgiving Traditions Trivia

Question: What traditional activity involves breaking a wishbone from the turkey and making a wish?

Answer: Making a wish with the wishbone

Question: In the United States, which annual event is held on Thanksgiving Day, involving professional football games?

Answer: Thanksgiving Day football

Question: What is the name of the annual parade in New York City that has been a Thanksgiving tradition since 1924?

Answer: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Question: In some households, what is the tradition of going around the table and sharing something each person is thankful for called?

Answer: Sharing gratitude or going around for Thanksgiving blessings

Question: Which traditional Thanksgiving dish is often made by mashing cooked potatoes and mixing them with butter and milk or cream?

Answer: Mashed potatoes

Question: What sweet and creamy dish made from corn is often served as a Thanksgiving side dish in the southern United States?

Answer: Corn pudding

Question: What is the traditional pie flavor often served alongside or instead of pumpkin pie during Thanksgiving?

Answer: Pecan pie

Question: What is the name for the act of setting an extra place setting at the Thanksgiving table for an unexpected guest or to symbolize gratitude?

Answer: Setting an extra place or an empty chair for an invited or absent guest

Question: In many households, what is the tradition of watching a Thanksgiving-themed movie or television show after the meal called?

Answer: Post-Thanksgiving dinner entertainment or Thanksgiving movie/TV show marathon

Question: What is the tradition of volunteering at local shelters or community centers to help serve Thanksgiving meals to those in need called?

Answer: Thanksgiving volunteering or serving Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate

Thanksgiving Food Trivia

Question: What is the traditional Thanksgiving dessert made from a spiced pumpkin custard filling baked in a pastry crust called?

Answer: Pumpkin pie

Question: What popular Thanksgiving side dish consists of bread cubes mixed with broth, herbs, and other ingredients, then baked until crispy on top?

Answer: Stuffing or dressing

Question: Which type of fruit is traditionally used to make cranberry sauce, a sweet and tangy condiment served with Thanksgiving meals?

Answer: Cranberries

Question: What is the term for a roasted young turkey, often cooked using a high-heat method, resulting in a crispy skin and juicy meat?

Answer: Roast turkey

Question: Which vegetable dish is made from fresh green beans, creamy sauce, and topped with crispy fried onions, commonly served during Thanksgiving?

Answer: Green bean casserole

Question: What is the term for a dough mixture of flour, fat, and liquid, rolled out thin and used to encase the filling of a pie or tart?

Answer: Pastry crust

Question: Which traditional Thanksgiving dish consists of mashed potatoes mixed with milk, butter, and often topped with a rich gravy?

Answer: Mashed potatoes and gravy

Question: What type of bread is commonly used for making the bread cubes in stuffing or dressing for Thanksgiving?

Answer: White bread or cornbread

Question: Which sweet root vegetable is often cooked and mashed with butter and spices, then topped with marshmallows and baked until golden brown?

Answer: Sweet potatoes or yams

Question: What is the name for a rich, flavorful sauce made from the juices and drippings of a roasted turkey, often thickened and served with the meat?

Answer: Turkey gravy

Thanksgiving Day Trivia

Question: What year did the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?

Answer: 1924

Question: Which Native American tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims?

Answer: Wampanoag

Question: In what year did Abraham Lincoln declare Thanksgiving a national holiday in the United States?

Answer: 1863

Question: Which U.S. president first officially pardoned a turkey and spared it from being eaten for Thanksgiving?

Answer: John F. Kennedy

Question: What is the name of the annual event in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a reenactment of the Pilgrims' landing is held on Thanksgiving Day?

Answer: Plymouth Thanksgiving Parade or America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration

Question: What is the traditional main course served during Thanksgiving dinner in the United States?

Answer: Roast turkey