Here are 59 New Year's Eve trivia questions with answers, in seven rounds: the history of the new year, traditions around the world, lucky food, films, countdowns and fireworks, a 2026 year in review, and a bonus song question. Read them out at a party, print the page, or run the quiz live so everyone answers on their phone.
This quiz is rebuilt for the 2026 into 2027 season, and every answer is checked against the sources listed at the end. It covers 1 January only, so there is no Lunar New Year round (see the Chinese New Year quiz). Running one for colleagues? Try our New Year quiz for work.
Quick facts
At a glance4 quick answers
How many questions are there?
Answer59, in seven rounds, every one with its answer underneath
What is the 2026 round about?
AnswerSport, film, music and news from January to September 2026; answers last checked on 3 October 2026
Can I host it live?
AnswerYes, with the New Year's Eve Quiz 2026 template on AhaSlides (details below)
Is there a music round?
AnswerOne bonus question here; the full set is in our New Year music quiz
Rounds at a glance
Pick the rounds that suit your group, or play all seven in order.
| Round | Questions | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1: Where the new year comes from | 1 to 8 | Multiple choice | Warm-up |
| Round 2: Traditions around the world | 9 to 20 | True or false | Easy, fast |
| Round 3: Lucky food and midnight customs | 21 to 29 | Multiple choice | Easy to medium |
| Round 4: New Year's Eve at the movies | 30 to 36 | Multiple choice | Film fans |
| Round 5: Countdowns and fireworks | 37 to 45 | Multiple choice | Medium |
| Round 6: 2026 year in review | 46 to 58 | Multiple choice and true or false | Current events |
| Bonus: the midnight song | 59 | Multiple choice | Tiebreaker |
Round 1: Where the new year comes from (multiple choice)
Eight questions on calendars, ancient festivals and when the year starts. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
History of the new year8 questions
1Around 2000 BC, which ancient people celebrated a New Year festival called Akitu?
More detailThe festival came with the spring equinox and is dated to around 2000 BC (HISTORY: 5 ancient New Year celebrations).
2Which Roman leader's new calendar took effect on 1 January 45 BC?
More detailRome's consuls had taken office on 1 January since 153 BC, and his Julian calendar kept that as the first day of the year (University of Chicago, Roman Calendar, National Geographic).
3In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII reformed the calendar. How many days were dropped from October that year?
More detailThe Julian calendar had drifted from the solar year, so 10 days in October were dropped (HISTORY: 4 October 1582).
4From which year did England and its colonies start the year on 1 January instead of 25 March?
More detailUntil then the legal year in England began on 25 March (WebExhibits, British Calendar Act).
5The ancient Egyptian New Year was linked to the return of which star and the flooding of which river?
More detailThe Egyptian new year was timed by Sirius reappearing just before the Nile flood (HISTORY).
6Using a baby to stand for the new year dates back to which ancient culture?
More detailAn infant in a basket was paraded to mark the yearly rebirth of Dionysus (HISTORY).
7The Islamic (Hijri) New Year falls on the first day of which month?
More detailIt is the first month of the Islamic calendar (HISTORY).
8Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, always falls in which two Gregorian months?
More detailIts date typically falls between 5 September and 5 October (HISTORY).
Round 2: New Year traditions around the world (true or false)
Twelve statements about midnight customs. Say true or false before you read the answer.
True or false12 questions
9In Spain, people eat twelve grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock.
AnswerTrue. Each grape stands for one month, and the custom is said to bring good luck for the year (HISTORY).
10In Denmark, people jump off a chair or sofa at midnight to leap into the new year.
AnswerTrue. Danes jump off the sofa or a chair at the stroke of midnight to bring good luck (VisitDenmark).
11In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times as the old year ends.
AnswerTrue. The bells start before midnight on New Year's Eve and finish in the early hours of 1 January (Nippon.com).
12In Italy, lentils are eaten at New Year because their round, coin-like shape is a symbol of prosperity.
AnswerTrue. Lentils feature in Italian New Year's Eve feasts for good luck (HISTORY).
13In Cuba, Austria, Hungary and Portugal, pork appears on the New Year's Eve table.
AnswerTrue. Pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures (HISTORY: New Year).
14Some people eat twelve black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, one for each month, for good luck.
AnswerTrue. The peas are also likened to coins (HISTORY).
15In the Netherlands, Mexico and Greece, ring-shaped cakes and pastries are part of the New Year feast.
AnswerTrue. A ring is a sign that the year has come full circle (HISTORY: New Year).
16In Japan, long soba noodles are eaten on New Year's Eve to symbolise a long, healthy life.
AnswerTrue. The tradition is known as toshikoshi soba (HISTORY).
17The Rose Parade takes place on New Year's Day in Los Angeles.
AnswerFalse. It runs along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California (Tournament of Roses).
18The first Times Square ball, made of iron and wood, weighed 700 pounds.
AnswerTrue. It was 5 feet across and was built by the metalworker Jacob Starr (Times Square Alliance).
19Hoppin' John, the New Year's dish of black-eyed peas, rice and pork, comes from New England.
AnswerFalse. It seems to have originated in the Low Country of South Carolina (HISTORY).
20Pork is eaten for luck in some countries because pigs walk backwards.
AnswerFalse. Pigs root forward, so they stand for progress (HISTORY).
Round 3: Lucky food and midnight customs (multiple choice)
Nine questions on what to eat and do for luck.
Food and customs9 questions
21In Greece, a coin is baked into which New Year's Day cake?
More detailThe cake is served in Greece and Cyprus (HISTORY). Whoever finds the coin is said to have luck for the year.
22Which pickled fish is a popular lucky dish on New Year's Eve tables in Scandinavia, Germany and Poland?
More detailFish stand for fertility, long life and bounty, and the silver colour for fortune (HISTORY).
23Which dish of black-eyed peas, rice and pork is eaten on New Year's Day in the southern United States for good luck?
More detailSome people liken the peas to coins (HISTORY).
24Which ringed cake, baked with a hidden trinket such as a plastic baby, is a Louisiana tradition from Twelfth Night?
More detailWhoever finds the trinket is named king or queen for the day (HISTORY).
25In Sweden and Norway, what is hidden in the rice pudding served on New Year's Eve?
More detailWhoever finds it can expect 12 months of good fortune (HISTORY: New Year).
26Which cake do Danes traditionally eat at midnight on New Year's Eve?
More detailIt is followed by a sip of champagne and the fireworks (VisitDenmark).
27The ancient Babylonians are thought to have started New Year's resolutions. What did they reportedly vow to return?
More detailThey would reportedly also vow to pay off debts (HISTORY: New Year).
28The final of which ice hockey tournament is traditionally played on New Year's Eve in Switzerland?
29Which glazed baked treat do many German-Americans eat on New Year's Day for good luck?
More detailThe sweet pretzel is often topped with a glaze rather than salt (HISTORY).
Round 4: New Year's Eve at the movies
Seven questions on films with a New Year's Eve scene. None of them needs you to remember a line of dialogue.
Film7 questions
30In the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, the passengers prepare for a ballroom gala on which night?
More detailThe ocean liner S.S. Poseidon hits choppy weather just before New Year's Eve (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Thrills).
31In The Godfather Part II, which brother does Michael realise has betrayed him at a New Year's Eve party in Havana?
More detailAt the party Michael realises Fredo has betrayed him (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies).
32In When Harry Met Sally..., Harry runs to find Sally at a New Year's Eve party to tell her how he feels.
AnswerTrue. She is on her way out when he finds her (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Laughs).
33When Harry Met Sally... is ranked at which position on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs list?
More detailIt is Rob Reiner's 1989 film (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Laughs).
34In The Apartment, Buddy refuses to hand over his apartment key on New Year's Eve and quits his job.
AnswerTrue. He tells his boss he has decided to become a mensch (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Laughs).
35In Sleepless in Seattle, Jonah calls a radio show on New Year's Eve to find his father a new wife.
AnswerFalse. The call is on Christmas Eve (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Passions).
36In Forrest Gump, who does Forrest spend New Year's Eve with at a bar in New York City?
More detailThey spend Christmas together first (AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies).
Round 5: Countdowns and fireworks
Nine questions on where, and how, the world watches midnight arrive.
Midnight around the world9 questions
37In which year was the first Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop?
More detailThe ball made its first descent in 1907, to welcome 1908 (Times Square Alliance).
38Why was the Times Square ball drop skipped in 1942 and 1943?
More detailNew York City was under a wartime dimout of lights, and the crowds greeted the new year with chimes instead (Times Square Alliance).
39How much confetti is typically dropped over Times Square to bring in the new year?
More detailThat is the amount typically dropped (Times Square Alliance FAQ).
40Which company's crystals decorate the Times Square ball?
More detailThe Ball features Waterford Crystals (Times Square Alliance).
41The first Times Square ball, lowered in 1907, was lit by how many electric light bulbs?
More detailThe 1907 ball was made of iron and wood and lit by one hundred 25-watt bulbs (Times Square Alliance).
42Spain's main public New Year's Eve party gathers in which Madrid square?
More detailThousands gather there every 31 December to eat the grapes to the clock's chimes (Madrid tourism, in Spanish).
43Sydney's midnight fireworks launch from the Opera House and which other landmark?
More detailThe midnight show launches from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and other landmarks (Sydney New Year’s Eve).
44Which building's clock chimes the twelve strokes watched in Madrid's Puerta del Sol on New Year's Eve?
More detailIts clock marks the twelve chimes (Madrid tourism, in Spanish).
45Besides midnight, at what time do Sydney's harbour fireworks light up on New Year's Eve?
More detailFireworks light the harbour at 9pm and midnight (Sydney New Year’s Eve).
Round 6: 2026 year in review
Thirteen questions on the big moments of 2026, from January to September. We wrote this round on 3 October 2026, so anything that happens in the last quarter is not in it.
2026 so far13 questions
46Which country won the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
AnswerSpain, who beat Argentina 1 to 0 after extra time in the final on 19 July 2026.
47Who scored the only goal of the World Cup final?
More detailHe scored in the 106th minute of extra time (FIFA).
48Which three countries hosted the 2026 men's World Cup?
49Which Italian cities hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics?
AnswerMilan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, from 6 to 22 February 2026 (AP: opening ceremony in Milan on Friday 6 February, AP: closing ceremony on Sunday 22 February).
50Which country won the most gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
More detailIt finished with 18 golds and 41 medals in all (ESPN medal table).
51Which sport made its Olympic debut at Milan Cortina 2026?
AnswerSki mountaineering, which made its Winter Olympic debut in Bormio (NBC Olympics).
52Which Norwegian cross-country skier won six gold medals at Milan Cortina?
AnswerJohannes Høsflot Klæbo, who won his sixth gold of the Games in the 50km on 21 February (NBC Olympics).
53Which country won its first ever Winter Olympic medal, a gold, in 2026?
AnswerBrazil, through Lucas Pinheiro Braathen's giant slalom gold on 14 February 2026. It was Brazil's first Winter Olympic medal and the first for South America (NBC News).
54Which team won Super Bowl LX in February 2026?
AnswerThe Seattle Seahawks, 29 to 13 over the New England Patriots.
55Which artist headlined the Super Bowl LX halftime show?
56Which film won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026?
AnswerOne Battle After Another, which won six awards in all (Academy Awards, 98th ceremony).
57Which film received the most Oscar nominations in 2026, with 16?
More detailIt received 16 nominations to 13 for the next film, and won four awards (Academy: 98th Oscars nominations).
58Which country won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna?
AnswerBulgaria, with "Bangaranga" by Dara. It was Bulgaria's first win (Eurovision.com).
Bonus: the midnight song
Songs get their own quiz, so here is just one question. For the full set of New Year music rounds, try our New Year music quiz.
One more1 question
59Which Scottish song is traditionally sung at midnight on Hogmanay and New Year's Eve across the English-speaking world?
More detailRobert Burns transcribed and adapted the older Scottish song in the late 18th century (HISTORY).
How to host New Year's Eve trivia live with AhaSlides
Reading questions aloud works round a table. If guests are joining from another house, or you want the scores to add themselves up, run it live: everyone joins with a code on their phone, no app needed, and the questions show on a shared screen.
Use True or False for the traditions round
One statement, two big cards, and the room votes. The twelve statements in round 2 fit it exactly.
Use Pick Answer for the multiple-choice rounds
Faster correct answers score more points, so the countdown feels like a race.
Pair places and customs with Match Pairs
It takes up to four pairs per slide: Spain and its grapes, Denmark and its chairs, Italy and its lentils, Japan and its bells.
Keep a leaderboard between rounds
Scores add themselves up, and you can spin a Spinner Wheel to pick who wins the last slice of cake.
Short of time? Paste a list of questions into the AhaSlides AI presentation maker and it builds the quiz slides for you.
AhaSlides is free to try: the Free plan lets you run up to 5 quiz questions per presentation with up to 50 people joining, which is enough for one short round. For the 10-question template, or all 59 questions in one deck, you need a paid plan.
More New Year quizzes and games
- New Year music quiz: song rounds for the countdown.
- New Year quiz for work: a short quiz for colleagues.
- Chinese New Year quiz: Lunar New Year questions, which fall in February.
- Christmas music quiz: for the days before.
- Christmas movie trivia: 80 film questions for the holiday week.
- Work Christmas and year-end party ideas: activities to play around the quiz.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should a New Year's Eve quiz have?
Twenty to thirty questions in three or four rounds is plenty for one evening. Allow about 25 seconds to answer and the same again to reveal the answer, and 30 questions take about 25 minutes. Pick the rounds your group will enjoy most and keep the rest in reserve.
Can I print these New Year's Eve trivia questions?
Yes. Print the page from your browser. Each answer sits directly under its question, so cover the answers or read from the quizmaster's copy.
How do I host a New Year's Eve quiz online?
Open the template above, share your screen on your video call, and ask everyone to join with the code on their phone. Scores update after every question.
Sources
Facts were checked against these pages on 3 October 2026.
- History and customs: HISTORY: 5 ancient New Year celebrations, HISTORY: New Year, HISTORY: New Year festive facts, HISTORY: lucky New Year foods, HISTORY: Hoppin' John, HISTORY: 4 October 1582, HISTORY: Islamic New Year, HISTORY: Rosh Hashanah dates, University of Chicago: Roman Calendar, National Geographic: why the new year once started in March, WebExhibits: British Calendar Act, VisitDenmark: New Year’s Eve, Nippon.com: ringing out the old year in Kyoto, Tournament of Roses: the parade, Spengler Cup official site
- Countdowns: Times Square Alliance: history of the ball, Times Square Alliance: New Year’s Eve FAQ, Madrid tourism: Nochevieja in the Puerta del Sol, Sydney New Year’s Eve: fireworks
- Films: AFI: 100 Years... 100 Laughs, AFI: 100 Years... 100 Passions, AFI: 100 Years... 100 Thrills, AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies
- The 2026 round: FIFA: Spain crowned World Cup 2026 champions, Olympics.com: Milano Cortina 2026 medal table, Olympics.com: Braathen wins giant slalom gold for Brazil, Olympics.com: ski mountaineering debut, NFL: Seahawks 29, Patriots 13 in Super Bowl LX, NFL: Super Bowl LX halftime show, Oscars.org: the 98th Academy Awards, Academy: 98th Oscars nominations announced, EBU: Dara wins the 70th Eurovision Song Contest
Answers last checked on 3 October 2026. The 2026 round covers events up to the end of September.
