120 World Festivals Trivia Questions & Answers!

Festivals bring color, rhythm, and community to every corner of the globe.

This trivia set tours iconic celebrations, from carnivals and film premieres to harvest feasts and quirky local rites.

Warm up with easy wins, then test your mettle with deeper history, records, and behind-the-scenes lore.

Why Festivals Make Great Trivia

Festivals condense a place’s identity into vivid moments: costumes, rituals, food, and soundscapes that echo centuries of belief and creativity.

They also evolve rapidly, today’s headliner, tomorrow’s classic, making them fertile ground for fun facts that blend history with pop culture.

From ancient seasonal rites to modern mega-festivals drawing hundreds of thousands, the sheer variety keeps the questions fresh.

Whether you’re a foodie, cinephile, music buff, or culture chaser, festival trivia connects the dots across geography and time.

Global & Historic Celebrations

Q: What spring festival in India is famous for colorful powder fights?
A: Holi.

Q: Which lantern-filled festival marks the Lunar New Year’s end in many Chinese communities?
A: The Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie).

Q: In which city is Oktoberfest traditionally held?
A: Munich, Germany.

Q: What is Japan’s cherry-blossom viewing tradition called?
A: Hanami.

Q: Which Jewish festival commemorates the Maccabean rededication of the Temple?
A: Hanukkah.

Q: Which Muslim festival marks the end of Ramadan’s fast?
A: Eid al-Fitr.

Q: What is the Buddhist water-splashing New Year festival in Thailand called?
A: Songkran.

Q: Which mid-autumn festival features mooncakes and lanterns?
A: The Mid-Autumn Festival.

Q: Which Persian New Year festival celebrates the spring equinox?
A: Nowruz.

Q: What Scottish festival on December 31 is famed for torchlight processions?
A: Hogmanay.

Q: Which Ethiopian festival features mass outdoor Timkat processions with holy water?
A: Timkat (Epiphany).

Q: Which ancient Roman festival of role reversal influenced later winter celebrations?
A: Saturnalia.

Music Festivals & Live Stages

Q: Which English dairy farm hosts the sprawling Glastonbury Festival?
A: Worthy Farm.

Q: What U.S. festival in Indio, California is known for desert fashion and giant art?
A: Coachella.

Q: Which Chicago festival grew from a touring 1990s alt-rock event?
A: Lollapalooza.

Q: What Belgian EDM festival is famed for its fairy-tale stages?
A: Tomorrowland.

Q: Which Tennessee festival is staged on “The Farm” near Manchester?
A: Bonnaroo.

Q: What iconic 1969 New York festival is often cited as the counterculture’s peak?
A: Woodstock.

Q: Which Danish festival in Roskilde is known for its orange canopy?
A: Roskilde Festival.

Q: What Barcelona festival is renowned for its genre-spanning, city-front stages each spring?
A: Primavera Sound.

Q: Which Austin festival blends music with tech and film?
A: South by Southwest (SXSW).

Q: Which Japanese twin-site summer festival alternates acts between Tokyo and Osaka?
A: Summer Sonic.

Q: What long-running New Orleans event celebrates jazz, blues, and heritage foods?
A: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest).

Q: Which Polish festival in Gdynia is a major Eastern European music event with international lineups?
A: Open’er Festival.

Film Festivals, Red Carpets & Awards

Q: Which French Riviera festival awards the Palme d’Or?
A: Cannes Film Festival.

Q: What Utah festival founded by Robert Redford champions indie cinema?
A: Sundance Film Festival.

Q: Which Italian festival on the Lido awards the Golden Lion?
A: Venice Film Festival.

Q: What German festival’s top prize is the Golden Bear?
A: Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).

Q: Which Canadian festival in September is known for strong Oscar predictors?
A: Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Q: Which festival in Busan is a major launchpad for Asian cinema?
A: Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

Q: What Indian festival in Goa is organized by the government and includes IFFI awards?
A: International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Q: Which classically oriented festival in the Alps highlights auteur retrospectives in August?
A: Locarno Film Festival.

Q: What animation-focused festival in France spotlights global cartoons and features?
A: Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Q: Which New York festival founded in 1963 is known for curated, non-competitive slates?
A: New York Film Festival (NYFF).

Q: Which Middle Eastern festival in the Red Sea city of Jeddah has gained prominence recently?
A: Red Sea International Film Festival.

Q: Which Indian city hosts a noted festival focusing on documentaries and short films, called MIFF?
A: Mumbai (Mumbai International Film Festival).

Food & Drink Festivals

Q: Which German beer festival features massive tents and oompah bands?
A: Oktoberfest in Munich.

Q: What Spanish festival celebrates tomatoes with a mass “food fight”?
A: La Tomatina in Buñol.

Q: Which U.S. city’s “Feast of San Gennaro” is famed for cannoli and street vendors?
A: New York City (Little Italy).

Q: What Scottish festival is known for whisky tastings across Islay?
A: Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival of Music and Malt).

Q: Which Italian town hosts a white-truffle fair drawing chefs worldwide?
A: Alba (Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba).

Q: What Indian harvest festival features elaborate sweet pongal?
A: Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

Q: Which U.S. city’s “Taste” event grew into a multi-day food-fest by the lakefront?
A: Chicago (Taste of Chicago).

Q: Where would you attend a “Night Noodle Markets” pop-up festival style?
A: Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Q: Which Basque city’s Aste Nagusia includes pintxos, cider, and fireworks competitions?
A: Bilbao.

Q: What Japanese summer festivals feature street stalls selling yakisoba and taiyaki?
A: Matsuri (general summer matsuri nationwide).

Q: Which Thai festival is famed for fiery papaya salad contests and street food?
A: Many Thai food fairs, notably in Bangkok and Chiang Mai; “Songkran street food fests” are especially lively (details vary by year).

Q: Which Louisiana city holds a giant crawfish festival highlighting Cajun and Creole flavors?
A: Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Breaux Bridge).

Seasonal, Harvest & Light

Q: What Indian festival of lights symbolizes the triumph of good over evil?
A: Diwali.

Q: Which Mexican holiday honors deceased loved ones with altars and marigolds?
A: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Q: What Hindu harvest festival in Punjab features bhangra dancing and bonfires?
A: Lohri.

Q: What lantern festival in Taiwan sees thousands of sky lanterns released in Pingxi?
A: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival.

Q: Which Scandinavian midwinter celebration features a crown of candles?
A: Saint Lucia Day (Sweden and other Nordic countries).

Q: In Spain, which spring festival in Valencia culminates with burning giant satirical sculptures?
A: Las Fallas.

Q: Which Nepalese festival of lights honors animals like dogs and cows on specific days?
A: Tihar (Deepawali in Nepal).

Q: Which Jewish autumn festival features meals in temporary booths called sukkot?
A: Sukkot.

Q: What Southeast Asian festival floats decorated offerings on rivers to thank the water goddess?
A: Loy Krathong (Thailand) and Yi Peng (in northern Thailand).

Q: Which Indian festival marks the brother-sister bond with a wrist thread?
A: Raksha Bandhan.

Q: Which Balinese “Day of Silence” pauses life for 24 hours after the Melasti rituals?
A: Nyepi.

Q: Which Christian pre-Christmas markets with mulled wine are famous in Germany and Austria?
A: Christkindlmarkts (Christmas markets).

Carnivals, Parades & Street Spectacle

Q: What Brazilian city’s Carnival is famed for samba school parades in the Sambadrome?
A: Rio de Janeiro.

Q: Which Caribbean island’s Carnival culminates on Grand Kadooment Day?
A: Barbados.

Q: What European city’s Carnival features ornate masks and canals?
A: Venice, Italy.

Q: Which New Orleans parade season includes krewes tossing beads and doubloons?
A: Mardi Gras.

Q: Which Trinidad and Tobago event features steelpan and soca competitions?
A: Trinidad Carnival.

Q: What London event is Europe’s biggest street carnival?
A: Notting Hill Carnival.

Q: Which city’s Carnival includes giant papier-mâché heads called “cabezudos”?
A: Many Spanish cities; notably Cádiz and Tenerife feature giant figures and satirical floats.

Q: Which Swiss city’s Fasnacht begins at 4 a.m. with “Morgestraich” lanterns?
A: Basel.

Q: Which Bolivian carnival showcases the devil-dance “Diablada”?
A: Oruro Carnival.

Q: What Quebec winter festival is presided over by a snowman mascot named Bonhomme?
A: Carnaval de Québec.

Q: Which Goa festival blends Catholic, Konkani, and Portuguese influences in street parades?
A: Goa Carnival.

Q: Which Belgian town’s Carnival of Binche features “Gilles” hurling oranges?
A: Binche, Belgium.

Folk, Cultural & Indigenous Traditions

Q: Which Japanese summer festival in Aomori features giant illuminated floats called nebuta?
A: Aomori Nebuta Matsuri.

Q: What Spanish human-tower tradition appears at festivals in Catalonia?
A: Castells.

Q: Which Scottish festival celebrates Celtic arts on the Isle of Lewis each summer?
A: Hebridean Celtic Festival (HebCelt).

Q: Which Māori gathering in New Zealand showcases kapa haka performance?
A: Te Matatini (national kapa haka festival).

Q: Which Indian dance festival at Konark highlights classical Odissi?
A: Konark Dance Festival.

Q: What Mongolian summer festival features wrestling, archery, and horse racing?
A: Naadam.

Q: Which Basque festival in Pamplona is known for the running of the bulls?
A: San Fermín.

Q: Which Korean autumn festival, the “Korean Thanksgiving,” centers on family rites and songpyeon rice cakes?
A: Chuseok.

Q: Which Irish festival celebrates traditional music sessions in pubs and streets, often tied to Fleadh Cheoil?
A: The Fleadh (Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann).

Q: Which Andean festival in Cusco pays homage to the Inca sun god?
A: Inti Raymi.

Q: Which Bhutanese tshechu features masked cham dances in monastery courtyards?
A: Paro (and other regional) Tshechus.

Q: Which Native American celebration in New Mexico features traditional dances at the Santa Fe Indian Market?
A: Associated market festivities and Pueblo dances; specific dances vary by Pueblo (programs change annually).

Quirky, Novel & “Only Here” Festivals

Q: Which Spanish town hosts a baby-jumping festival called El Colacho?
A: Castrillo de Murcia.

Q: What UK event rolls large cheese wheels down Cooper’s Hill?
A: Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling.

Q: Which Italian town hosts a historic orange-throwing battle?
A: Ivrea (Battle of the Oranges).

Q: What small U.S. town celebrates a “Testicle Festival” featuring fried novelty fare?
A: Several have; one of the best-known was in Clinton, Montana (events change over time).

Q: Which Finnish event features swamp soccer and wife-carrying races as festival novelties?
A: Eukonkanto (Wife Carrying) World Championship in Sonkajärvi; swamp soccer is held in different locales like Hyrynsalmi.

Q: Which UK seaside town holds a world-famous “Birdman Rally” of human-powered flight attempts?
A: Bognor Regis (also historically in Worthing).

Q: What Spanish village hosts a goat-jumping tradition said to have shifted to safer symbolic rituals?
A: Manganeses de la Polvorosa (now largely discontinued/altered for safety).

Q: Which U.S. city hosts a massive comic and pop-culture festival with elaborate cosplay?
A: San Diego (Comic-Con International).

Q: Which New Zealand town holds an annual wearable art show turned festival spectacle?
A: Wellington (World of WearableArt Show).

Q: Which English town celebrates an annual bog snorkeling championship?
A: Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

Q: Which Thai province holds a rocket festival launching homemade projectiles before the rains?
A: Yasothon (Bun Bang Fai).

Q: Which Indiana town tosses deep-fried foods and butter sculptures at a midsummer state fair vibe?
A: Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis) — the butter sculptures are a U.S. fair staple.

Mega-Events, Records & Crowds

Q: Which Saudi city’s Hajj pilgrimage is among the world’s largest annual gatherings?
A: Mecca.

Q: Which Hindu festival sees millions bathe at river confluences in India?
A: Kumbh Mela.

Q: Which Brazilian New Year’s beach celebration lights up Copacabana with fireworks and white clothing?
A: Réveillon in Rio de Janeiro.

Q: Which German festival has recorded some of the world’s highest beer consumption totals?
A: Oktoberfest in Munich.

Q: Which U.S. desert event builds and burns a giant effigy as part of a temporary city?
A: Burning Man (Black Rock City, Nevada).

Q: Which Chinese New Year celebration sees the world’s largest annual human migration?
A: Chunyun (Spring Festival travel rush).

Q: Which Indian city’s Ganesh Chaturthi immersions bring enormous crowds to waterfronts?
A: Mumbai.

Q: Which Spanish festival regularly draws millions for processions in Andalusia during Holy Week?
A: Semana Santa (notably Seville).

Q: What French festival’s pilgrimage sees decorated shells guiding routes across Europe?
A: Camino de Santiago (St. James’ Way) culminates in Santiago de Compostela; festivals and holy years amplify crowds.

Q: Which Japanese summer festival draws vast crowds to dance “Gujo Odori” nights?
A: Gujo Odori in Gifu.

Q: Which Indian state’s Thrissur Pooram is famed for elephant lineups and fireworks?
A: Kerala (Thrissur).

Q: Which Spanish town’s San Fermín draws hundreds of thousands beyond the morning runs?
A: Pamplona.

Symbols, Rituals & Dress

Q: What masks and capes define Venice’s Carnival aesthetic?
A: Bauta, Colombina, and Moretta masks with baroque attire.

Q: Which flower is strongly associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead?
A: Marigold (cempasúchil).

Q: What colorful powder used in Holi is called?
A: Gulal.

Q: Which Indian festival features clay oil lamps called diyas?
A: Diwali.

Q: What Japanese festival wear includes light cotton robes and wooden sandals?
A: Yukata and geta.

Q: What Scottish attire is common at Highland games and festivals?
A: Kilt with tartan patterns.

Q: Which Balinese festival features intricate penjor bamboo poles?
A: Galungan and Kuningan.

Q: What Thai festival sets tiny floating offerings of banana leaves and flowers adrift?
A: Krathong (Loy Krathong).

Q: Which Yoruba-derived Brazilian festival on the beach offers white flowers to a sea goddess?
A: Réveillon and Festa de Iemanjá (Bahia) — offerings to Iemanjá.

Q: What Andalusian fair features polka-dotted flamenco dresses?
A: Feria de Abril (Seville).

Q: Which Indian festival sees rangoli patterns welcoming guests?
A: Diwali (also Pongal and other festivals).

Q: Which Nepalese Tihar day honors dogs with garlands?
A: Kukur Tihar.

Sustainability, Safety & Logistics

Q: What reusable item has become standard to cut plastic waste at many festivals?
A: Reusable cups.

Q: What planning document outlines emergency response, crowd flow, and weather contingencies?
A: A festival safety or operations plan.

Q: Which power source is increasingly adopted to reduce generator emissions at green festivals?
A: Hybrid or renewable energy (solar/wind) systems.

Q: What policy limits excessive noise and protects neighbors during urban festivals?
A: Sound curfews/decibel limits.

Q: What volunteer role helps festivalgoers with info and wayfinding?
A: Stewards or volunteers/ambassadors.

Q: What wrist-worn technology sped up entry and cashless payments?
A: RFID wristbands.

Q: What common weather risk requires lightning plans for outdoor stages?
A: Thunderstorms and lightning strikes.

Q: What is the practice of collecting and sorting waste on-site called?
A: Waste separation/segregation (often with composting and recycling).

Q: What is the term for limiting seating/area capacity to maintain safe density?
A: Capacity capping (crowd density control).

Q: What safety feature uses barriers to create pens in front of large stages?
A: Crash barriers/pit pens.

Q: What document informs attendees of rules, prohibited items, and site map before arrival?
A: Pre-event guide/attendee handbook.

Q: What is the process of staggering artist set times across stages to manage flows called?
A: Staggered scheduling (programming to reduce bottlenecks).

Regional Spotlights & City Festivals

Q: Which Scottish capital hosts the world’s largest arts festival each August?
A: Edinburgh (Edinburgh Festival Fringe alongside the broader Edinburgh Festivals).

Q: Which Spanish city’s April Fair fills casetas with sevillanas dancing?
A: Seville (Feria de Abril).

Q: Which Indian city is famed for Ganesh Chaturthi pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja?
A: Mumbai.

Q: Which U.S. city turns Bourbon Street into a festival zone for Mardi Gras?
A: New Orleans.

Q: Which German city hosts Karneval with “Rose Monday” parades?
A: Cologne (Kölner Karneval).

Q: What Australian city’s Moomba Festival centers on the Yarra River each March?
A: Melbourne.

Q: Which Japanese city stages the Gion Matsuri with massive yamaboko floats?
A: Kyoto.

Q: Which Moroccan city’s Gnaoua World Music Festival animates the old fortress town by the sea?
A: Essaouira.

Q: Which Canadian city’s stampede is a rodeo-meets-festival spectacle each July?
A: Calgary (Calgary Stampede).

Q: Which Chinese city’s Harbin Ice and Snow Festival builds cathedral-sized sculptures?
A: Harbin.

Q: Which Portuguese city’s São João festival launches glowing balloons and plastic hammers?
A: Porto.

Q: Which U.S. city’s ArtPrize turned downtown into a festival of public art and voting?
A: Grand Rapids, Michigan.