100+ Popular Christmas Songs Trivia Questions & Answers

Question: In which century did Christmas music originate in Rome?

Answer: 4th century

Question: Which religious figure influenced the development of popular Christmas carols in regional native languages by the 13th century?

Answer: Francis of Assisi

Question: In what year did John Awdlay list "caroles of Cristemas", marking the first appearance of English Christmas carols?

Answer: 1426

Question: Name one of the traditional Christmas songs that first emerged in the 16th century and is still sung today.

Answer: "The 12 Days of Christmas"

Question: Under which government was the singing of Christmas carols prohibited in England?

Answer: The Commonwealth of England under Cromwell

Question: What did the Puritan Westminster Assembly of Divines establish as the only holy day in the liturgical calendar in 1644?

Answer: Sunday

Question: Which king's restoration in 1660 led to the resumption of public singing of Christmas carols in England?

Answer: Charles II

Question: During which era did "Silent Night", "O Little Town of Bethlehem", and "O Holy Night" become popular Christmas carols?

Answer: The Victorian Era

Question: Name one of the first Christmas songs associated with Saint Nicholas that emerged in the 19th century.

Answer: "Up on the Housetop"

Question: When and where was singing Christmas carols in church instituted as part of the Christmas celebration?

Answer: Christmas Eve 1880 in Truro Cathedral, Cornwall, England

Question: In which century did the tradition of singing Christmas carols in return for alms or charity begin in England?

Answer: 17th century

Question: Who published "Christmas Carols New & Old" in 1871, translating or adding lyrics to older Christmas hymns?

Answer: John Stainer

Question: What is the name of the 1833 collection that first printed many classic English Christmas carols?

Answer: William Sandys's "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern"

Question: Originally in the Middle Ages in England, what did the term "carol" refer to?

Answer: A circle dance with singing

Question: Which religious reformer encouraged congregational singing during the Mass and spreading caroling outside the liturgy?

Answer: Martin Luther

Question: During the Puritan ban on Christmas, what continued to be held in England despite the prohibition?

Answer: Semi-clandestine religious services and secret caroling

Question: From which century does the "Wexford Carol" originate?

Answer: 12th century

Question: In what year was the Puritan ban on Christmas declared an offense by Parliament?

Answer: 1647

Question: The disapproval of Christmas celebrations by which group resurfaced through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries?

Answer: Puritans

Question: Which romantic spring Christmas tune became associated with Christmas after being set to "Good King Wenceslas" in 1853?

Answer: "Tempus Adest Floridum"

Question: Before being associated with Christmas, to which holiday was "Jingle Bells" originally connected?

Answer: Thanksgiving

Question: Which song celebrates the pagan holiday of Yule and the New Year, not explicitly Christmas?

Answer: "Deck the Halls"

Question: "Joy to the World" was originally written in anticipation of what event?

Answer: The Second Coming

Question: The word "carol" spread from which country to France, Germany, and later England, to mean a festive song with a religious topic?

Answer: Italy

Question: What was the original purpose of many carols before becoming associated with Christmas?

Answer: Circle dances and festive singing of religious topics

Question: As of 2024, which popular Christmas song remains the best-selling of all time?

Answer: "White Christmas"

Question: Which artist's 1957 Christmas album is the best-selling Christmas album of all time?

Answer: Elvis Presley

Question: Who wrote "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," a staple Christmas tune?

Answer: Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie

Question: According to ASCAP in 2016, which holiday song is the most played of the last 50 years?

Answer: "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"

Question: Which song, performed by famous crooners during the Great Depression, includes the title "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"?

Answer: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Question: Which song by Mariah Carey entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017?

Answer: "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Question: Who introduced "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to radio audiences in 1949?

Answer: Gene Autry

Question: Which Christmas song was introduced by Gene Autry a year after "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?

Answer: "Frosty the Snowman"

Question: Who authored "The Little Drummer Boy"?

Answer: Katherine K. Davis

Question: Which songwriter wrote "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"?

Answer: Johnny Marks

Question: Who composed "Winter Wonderland," a classic Christmas tune?

Answer: Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith

Question: "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" was composed by which duo?

Answer: Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

Question: Who wrote "Jingle Bell Rock," a favorite Christmas tune?

Answer: Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe

Question: Which composers wrote "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"?

Answer: Edward Pola and George Wyle

Question: "Sleigh Ride" was composed by Leroy Anderson and who?

Answer: Mitchell Parish

Question: Who wrote "The Christmas Song"?

Answer: Mel Tormé and Robert Wells

Question: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid holds what position in UK chart history?

Answer: Second-best-selling single

Question: Which song by The Pogues is regularly voted the British public's favorite Christmas song?

Answer: "Fairytale of New York"

Question: Name one of the artists who have achieved consecutive Christmas number-one hits on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: The Beatles, Spice Girls, or LadBaby

Question: Which Queen song is the only recording to have been Christmas number one twice?

Answer: "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Question: Who wrote "Santa Baby," a beloved Christmas song?

Answer: Joan Ellen Javits, Tony Springer, and Fred Ebb

Question: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey was co-written with whom?

Answer: Walter Afanasieff

Question: Who wrote "Last Christmas" by Wham!, a popular Christmas song?

Answer: George Michael

Question: Which band's song "Merry Xmas Everybody" is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the UK?

Answer: Slade

Question: Which song by The Pogues was judged as the best Christmas song to get people in the festive spirit in 2016?

Answer: "Fairytale of New York"

Question: In what year did the U.S. Army Band perform a Christmas concert, as mentioned in the content?

Answer: 2010

Question: What phenomenon describes radio stations adopting a Christmas music format as early as the day after Halloween?

Answer: Christmas creep

Question: Where was singing Christmas carols in church instituted on Christmas Eve 1880?

Answer: Truro Cathedral, Cornwall, England

Question: What type of events do Carols by Candlelight include in Melbourne and Sydney?

Answer: Huge gatherings televised live and smaller local community and church events

Question: What is a common practice of ordinary Christian church members during Christmas regarding caroling?

Answer: Going door to door singing carols and collecting money for the poor

Question: In the US, when do many radio stations typically switch to a 24/7 Christmas music format?

Answer: After Thanksgiving

Question: What term refers to the practice of stations temporarily dropping their regular music format to play only Christmas music?

Answer: Stunt format

Question: What song is commonly used by American Christmas radio stations to signal the launch of the all-Christmas format?

Answer: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

Question: Which radio host devotes an entire month each year to Christmas novelty songs?

Answer: Dr. Demento

Question: What is the name of the major achievement in the UK and Ireland where a song reaches the top spot on the singles chart before Christmas?

Answer: Christmas Number One

Question: Which song by The Pogues is considered a favorite in both the UK and Ireland for Christmas?

Answer: "Fairytale of New York"

Question: What practice began in England in the 17th century involving singing Christmas carols and collecting alms?

Answer: Singing Christmas carols in return for alms or charity

Question: What is the name of the Christmas music event that started in Melbourne in 1937 and is still held annually?

Answer: Carols by Candlelight

Question: Which UK temporary radio station broadcasts solely playing Christmas music from November 28 to December 26?

Answer: Christmas FM

Question: Which radio station quadrupled its audience share by switching to Christmas music in 2017?

Answer: WLIT-FM

Question: What is the term for radio stations playing Christmas music outside the holiday season as a stunt?

Answer: Stunt format

Question: What survey ranked "Fairytale of New York" as the best Christmas song to get people in the festive spirit in 2016?

Answer: Daily Mirror

Question: What type of performances are a staple of the Christmas season in many cultures worldwide?

Answer: Performances of Christmas music at public concerts, churches, malls, streets, and private gatherings

Question: What do some radio stations in the US switch to exclusively for the holiday season, a practice that increased ratings?

Answer: All-Christmas music format

Question: Which arrangement, relying on the melody "Shchedryk," is played as a Christmas song titled "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24"?

Answer: "Carol of the Bells"

Question: What type of radio stations have become popular in the UK, running temporary Christmas music streams on digital platforms?

Answer: Pop-up Christmas stations like Smooth Christmas and Heart Christmas

Question: What major event in 2001 led US radio stations to adopt all-Christmas music formats to improve listener morale?

Answer: September 11 attacks

Question: Which radio station type benefits from Christmas music switches by potentially retaining new listeners after the holidays?

Answer: Stations switching to all-Christmas format

Question: What is the term for radio stations adopting Christmas music formats much earlier than traditional, sometimes even three months before Christmas?

Answer: Christmas creep

Question: What kind of songs do many stations' Christmas music formats heavily focus on?

Answer: Vocal adult standards and MOR selections from before 1970

Question: How does the southern hemisphere climate in Australia influence its Christmas traditions?

Answer: Australians generally spend Christmas outdoors, going to the beach or barbecues

Question: What major Christmas music event started in Melbourne in 1937 and is still held annually?

Answer: Carols by Candlelight

Question: What is the most popular Christmas song in the Philippines, recorded by Jose Mari Chan?

Answer: "Christmas in Our Hearts"

Question: Which satellite radio provider typically dedicates multiple channels to different genres of Christmas music during the holiday season?

Answer: SiriusXM

Question: Which UK temporary radio station broadcasts solely playing Christmas music from November 28 to December 26?

Answer: Christmas FM

Question: What distinguishes Canadian Christmas music stations from their American counterparts?

Answer: Inclusion of Canadian content and a more contemporary sound

Question: What is the second-best-selling single in UK chart history, recorded in 1984?

Answer: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid

Question: Which song by The Pogues is regularly voted the British public's favorite Christmas song?

Answer: "Fairytale of New York"

Question: Which Australian song by Paul Kelly reflects national Christmas experiences and was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1998 APRA Music Awards?

Answer: "How to Make Gravy"

Question: What is the name of the popular Christmas song by Cliff Richard?

Answer: "Mistletoe and Wine"

Question: How do Filipino radio stations typically handle Christmas music programming?

Answer: Play Christmas music from September to December without switching to an all-Christmas format

Question: What Colbie Caillat song humorously represents Christmas in Hawaii?

Answer: "Christmas in the Sand"

Question: In the UK, what list of songs voted by listeners is broadcast starting on Christmas Day?

Answer: The Festive Fifty

Question: Which Slade song remains hugely popular as a Christmas song in the UK?

Answer: "Merry Xmas Everybody"

Question: Which reality show is associated with generating Christmas number-one hits in the UK?

Answer: The X Factor

Question: What is the name of the popular Christmas song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra?

Answer: "Christmas Canon"

Question: What famous ballet by Tchaikovsky is performed internationally during the Christmas season?

Answer: "The Nutcracker"

Question: In which country did "How to Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly receive a Song of the Year nomination?

Answer: Australia

Question: Which Christmas song is the most-played of the 21st century in the UK?

Answer: "Fairytale of New York"

Question: What type of Christmas music streams do digital platforms like Heart offer?

Answer: Seasonal Christmas streams like Heart Christmas

Question: What unique Christmas tradition is practiced by many in Australia due to the summer season?

Answer: Spending Christmas at the beach or having barbecues

Question: Which song by Jose Mari Chan became the best-selling album in Original Pilipino Music (OPM)?

Answer: "Christmas in Our Hearts"

Question: What is the popular temporary radio station name in Ireland that broadcasts Christmas music?

Answer: Christmas FM

Question: Which song by Colbie Caillat humorously represents Christmas in Hawaii?

Answer: "Christmas in the Sand"

Question: In which country's radio stations do pop-up Christmas stations like Smooth Christmas and Heart Christmas exist?

Answer: United Kingdom