100+ Christmas Carol Trivia Questions & Answers

Question: What century can the first known Christmas hymns be traced back to?

Answer: 4th century

Question: Who wrote the Latin hymn "Veni redemptor gentium" that opposes Arianism?

Answer: Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan

Question: Before being associated specifically with Christmas, what was the original purpose of carols?

Answer: Communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide

Question: In which century did Christmas carols first appear in English literature?

Answer: 15th century (1426)

Question: What is the name of the 1582 collection that helped preserve many early Christmas carols?

Answer: Piae Cantiones

Question: Which Protestant Reformation leader authored carols and encouraged their use in worship?

Answer: Martin Luther

Question: During which period were Christmas carols sung clandestinely in England?

Answer: During the Puritan ban on Christmas

Question: What significant carol collection was published in 1871, contributing to the revival of carols in Victorian Britain?

Answer: Christmas Carols, New and Old by Henry Ramsden Bramley and Sir John Stainer

Question: Which carol book, first published in 1928, remains a widely used source for choirs and church congregations today?

Answer: The Oxford Book of Carols

Question: What 1961 carol book helped popularize the singing of carols in the 20th century?

Answer: Carols for Choirs

Question: What annual tradition at the University of Illinois involves carolers performing upon phone request?

Answer: Dial-A-Carol

Question: From which language does the term "noel" primarily derive when referring to Christmas carols?

Answer: French

Question: What was the original meaning of the word "carol" before it became associated with Christmas music?

Answer: A circular dance or song

Question: Which archbishop opposed Arianism through his hymns, contributing to the early history of Christmas music?

Answer: Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan

Question: What was the main theological theme of early Latin hymns like "Corde natus ex Parentis"?

Answer: The Incarnation

Question: Who adapted Felix Mendelssohn's cantata to fit Christmas carol lyrics, aiding in their popularization?

Answer: William H. Cummings

Question: In what year was the famous carol "Silent Night" first performed?

Answer: 1818

Question: Which composer, alongside Arthur Sullivan, helped repopularize Christmas carols in the 19th century?

Answer: John Rutter

Question: What is the name of the scholarly carol collection published in 1916 that is rarely available today?

Answer: Carols Old and Carols New by Charles Lewis Hutchins

Question: Which carol was first performed in the Nikolauskirche in Oberndorf on Christmas Eve?

Answer: Silent Night

Question: What is the original Latin title of the carol known in English as "O Come, All Ye Faithful"?

Answer: Adeste Fideles

Question: Which Victorian-era carol collection was edited by Percy Dearmer and remains influential today?

Answer: The Oxford Book of Carols

Question: What musical style is characteristic of traditional Christmas carols, giving them their unique sound?

Answer: Medieval chord patterns

Question: Which carol, based on a legend about Saint Wenceslaus, gained popularity in Victorian Britain?

Answer: Good King Wenceslas

Question: What is the earliest known macaronic carol mentioned in the provided content?

Answer: The Boar's Head

Question: What is the name of the Canadian Christmas hymn written by Jean de Brébeuf, also known as "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime"?

Answer: Huron Carol

Question: In which country is the tradition of "Carols by Candlelight" prominently celebrated during Christmas time?

Answer: Australia

Question: What Finnish tradition involves declaring Christmas Peace on Christmas Eve accompanied by carols?

Answer: Christmas Peace in Porvoo

Question: What is the traditional name for Ukrainian Christmas carols, often sung to celebrate the birth of Jesus?

Answer: Kolyadka

Question: Which Italian Christmas carol, written in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, translates to "From Starry Skies Thou Comest"?

Answer: Tu scendi dalle stelle

Question: What is the name of the Czech carol translated into English as "Come, All Ye Shepherds"?

Answer: Nesem vám noviny

Question: In Greece, what do children carry while singing carols during Christmas Eve?

Answer: Triangles

Question: What is the traditional name for Christmas carols in Catalan-speaking territories, often sung from Advent until Epiphany?

Answer: Nadala or Cançó de Nadal

Question: Which German carol translates to "O Christmas Tree" in English and is known for its traditional melody?

Answer: O Tannenbaum

Question: What Filipino term refers to carolers during the Christmas season, who begin wassailing in November?

Answer: Namamaskô

Question: What Romanian tradition saw Christmas carols banned during the 20th century under Ceaușescu's regime?

Answer: Christmas carols were banned and first sung again after the 1989 Revolution

Question: What is the Spanish term for Christmas carols, which were popular from the late 15th to 18th centuries?

Answer: Villancicos

Question: In Ireland, what are the traditional Christmas carols collectively known as, many of which date back to the 17th century?

Answer: The Kilmore Carols

Question: What Ukrainian carol is known as "Shchedryk" in its original language and forms the basis for the English "Carol of the Bells"?

Answer: Shchedryk

Question: What is the Swedish carol that translates to "Silent Night" in English, known for its peaceful melody?

Answer: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

Question: Which Welsh carol is translated into English as "All Through the Night" and first published in 1784?

Answer: Ar Hyd y Nos

Question: What is the traditional Hungarian Christmas carol titled "Angels from Heaven" in English?

Answer: Mennyből az angyal

Question: In Indonesian tradition, to which tune are many traditional Christmas carols set?

Answer: Battle Hymn of the Republic

Question: What Polish carol translates to "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" in English and was used by Frédéric Chopin in his Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20?

Answer: Lulajże, Jezuniu

Question: Which Romanian carol translates to "Jesus' swing" and was composed by Gheorghe Cucu?

Answer: Leganelul Lui Iisus

Question: Which French carol is known in English as "O Holy Night" and was originally titled "Minuit, Chrétiens"?

Answer: Minuit, Chrétiens

Question: What is the name of the traditional Norwegian carol titled "Musevisa," composed by Alf Prøysen in 1946?

Answer: Musevisa

Question: What is the Estonian term for Christmas carols, which includes songs like "Kelgusõit" and "Tiliseb, tiliseb aisakell"?

Answer: Jõululaulud

Question: In Finnish tradition, what event is accompanied by singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve?

Answer: Declaring Christmas Peace

Question: What is the Catalan carol that translates to "We Are Going to Bethlehem," traditionally sung by shepherds?

Answer: Anem a Betlem

Question: What event inspired the lyrics of "Good King Wenceslas," making it a popular Christmas carol?

Answer: Saint Wenceslaus helping a poor man on December 26 (St. Stephen's Day)

Question: Which Christmas carol includes the famous line "Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation"?

Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Question: Who composed the music arrangement for "Joy to the World," one of the most popular Christmas songs?

Answer: Lowell Mason

Question: What is the original title of the popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells"?

Answer: One Horse Open Sleigh

Question: Which popular Christmas song mentions "Santa Claus is coming to town"?

Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Question: Which Christmas song includes "the Christmas story is told in songs"?

Answer: O Holy Night

Question: Who wrote the English lyrics for the carol "Silent Night," which was first performed in 1818?

Answer: John Freeman Young

Question: Which Christmas carol was translated from the Basque traditional carol "Birjina gaztettob zegoen" and is known for its gentle melody?

Answer: Gabriel's Message

Question: What carol, based on a legend about Saint Wenceslaus, is often associated with the Christmas spirit?

Answer: Good King Wenceslas

Question: Which Christmas song mentions "the North Pole is where Santa resides"?

Answer: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Question: Which Christmas carol was originally a Christmas anthem published in 1852 and later included in various hymnals?

Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Question: What Christmas song mentions "a red-nosed reindeer"?

Answer: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Question: Which Christmas song includes "Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight"?

Answer: Santa Baby

Question: Which Christmas song includes "the Christmas spirit is in the air"?

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

Question: Which poet wrote the lyrics for "In the Bleak Midwinter," later set to music by Gustav Holst and Harold Darke?

Answer: Christina Rossetti

Question: What is the original Ukrainian title of the carol known in English as "Carol of the Bells"?

Answer: Shchedryk

Question: Which carol was first performed in Truro Cathedral in 1880, marking the institution of carol singing in church services?

Answer: Nine Lessons and Carols (collection of various carols)

Question: What carol was originally a Christmas anthem published in 1852 and became widely known in English hymnals?

Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Question: Which carol was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears and is known for its serene melody and lyrics about the midnight clear?

Answer: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Question: What carol is known for its association with the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, often sung in churches worldwide?

Answer: Silent Night

Question: Which carol was first translated into English in 1871 and published in a Methodist hymnal, enhancing its popularity?

Answer: Silent Night

Question: What carol features the lyrics "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed" and is a staple during Christmas celebrations?

Answer: Away in a Manger

Question: Which carol was adapted by Sir David Willcocks for the "Carols for Choirs" books, making it a favorite in choirs?

Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Question: What carol, described as a wassailing song, is considered a Christmas carol in the British Library's Cottonian Collection?

Answer: A Bone, God Wot!

Question: Which carol's English translation was done by Frederick Oakeley, making it widely popular in English-speaking countries?

Answer: Adeste Fideles ("O Come, All Ye Faithful")

Question: Which composer included Christmas carols in his cantatas for Christmastide, including the famous Christmas Oratorio?

Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Question: What musical style is characteristic of traditional Christmas carols, giving them their unique sound?

Answer: Medieval chord patterns

Question: Which classic Christmas movie features the song "White Christmas"?

Answer: Holiday Inn

Question: Which classic Christmas movie features the Muppets retelling the story of Scrooge through song?

Answer: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Question: Which composer wrote "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" in 1912, blending various traditional carols into a single orchestral work?

Answer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Question: Which Christmas song includes "Santa's reindeer flying through the night"?

Answer: Run Rudolph Run

Question: In "A Christmas Carol," which ghost shows Scrooge his "Christmas Past"?

Answer: Ghost of Christmas Past

Question: What was the original title of the tune for "Ding Dong Merrily on High"?

Answer: Branle de l'Official

Question: Which composer arranged the Ukrainian carol "Shchedryk" into the English "Carol of the Bells"?

Answer: Peter J. Wilhousky

Question: What musical forms have Gustav Holst and Harold Darke used to set Christina Rossetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter"?

Answer: Various orchestral and choral arrangements

Question: Which composer incorporated carol melodies into his song cycle "Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8"?

Answer: Peter Cornelius

Question: What is the melody of "O Come, Divine Messiah" based on?

Answer: 16th-century French carol

Question: Which composer wrote the "Carol Symphony" in 1927, integrating multiple Christmas carols into a symphonic work?

Answer: Victor Hely-Hutchinson

Question: What instrument is prominently featured in Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols"?

Answer: Harp

Question: Which carol was written by William Sandys and first published in "Carols Ancient and Modern"?

Answer: The First Noel

Question: What 19th-century collection included "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and helped popularize Christmas carols?

Answer: Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern by William Sandys

Question: Which composer arranged the melody for "Good King Wenceslas," combining Felix Mendelssohn's tune with carol lyrics?

Answer: William H. Cummings

Question: What is the original German title of the carol known in English as "Silent Night"?

Answer: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

Question: Which composers set Christina Rossetti's poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" to music?

Answer: Gustav Holst and Harold Darke

Question: What is the name of the tune used for "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the United States?

Answer: Forest Green

Question: Which carol's melody was adapted by various composers for "We Three Kings"?

Answer: Various traditional melodies

Question: What traditional accompaniment do Epirus carols typically feature?

Answer: C-clarinets and fiddles

Question: Which carol was arranged by John Rutter in the "Carols for Choirs" series, making it a favorite among choirs?

Answer: Candlelight Carol

Question: What is the original melody for "Good King Wenceslas" based on?

Answer: Tune from Festgesang by Felix Mendelssohn

Question: Which composer wrote "The Rocking Carol" to be performed simultaneously with "Silent Night"?

Answer: Daniel Kantor