On December 30th, your Instagram feed is loud.
Everyone is posting "Year in Review" carousels, countdown graphics, and resolution quotes. You post yours too clean design, on-brand colors, perfect timing.
It gets views… but no replies. No taps. No comments.
That's not a creativity problem. It's a participation problem.
In 2025, attention on Instagram isn't earned by what you say it's earned by what you invite people to do. And during New Year's, when people are already reflecting, guessing, and sharing opinions, trivia becomes one of the easiest ways to turn passive viewers into active participants.
New Year's trivia works because it feels like a game, not a post. It gives your audience a reason to pause, think, and respond whether that's tapping a poll, commenting a guess, or sharing their score to Stories.
In this guide, you'll find ready-to-use New Year trivia questions, proven ways to turn them into short videos for Instagram, and practical ideas to adapt trivia for different audiences without complicated tools or heavy editing
What Is New Year's Trivia?
New Year's trivia is a game or content format that tests knowledge about New Year's Eve traditions, history, and global celebrations. It's a conversation starter that transforms broadcast messages into two-way interactions, making your audience active participants instead of passive viewers.
25 Fun New Year's Trivia Ideas Questions & Answers
Ready to build your quiz? Here are 25 New Year's Day trivia questions broken down by theme and labeled for different platforms. Mix and match these for a quick social post, a live event, or a video series.
Classic New Year Traditions
1. Q: In Spain, what food do people eat 12 of at midnight for good luck? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: Grapes (one for each chime of the clock).
2. Q: The song "Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at midnight. What does the phrase roughly translate to? [Medium] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: "Times gone by" or "For the sake of old times."
3. Q: Which famous city drops a giant crystal ball at midnight? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: New York City (Times Square).
4. Q: In the Southern U.S., eating what legume is said to bring good luck for the year? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: Black-eyed peas.
5. Q: The act of "First Footing" (the first person to enter a home after midnight) originates from which country? [Medium] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: Scotland.
6. Q: What do people in Denmark traditionally do off chairs at midnight? [Medium] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: Jump (to "leap" into the New Year).
Global Celebrations of New Years Eve
7. Q: Which Pacific island nation is among the very first to ring in the New Year? [Hard] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: Samoa (or Kiribati).
8. Q: In Brazil, what color underwear is considered lucky to wear on New Year's Eve? [Medium] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: Yellow (for money) or Red (for love).
9. Q: What is the name of the Chinese New Year festival that ends with a Lantern Festival? [Medium] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: The Spring Festival.
10. Q: In Greece, what is hidden inside a cake (Vasilopita) to be found by a lucky guest? [Medium] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: A coin.
11. Q: In Rio de Janeiro, millions of people gather on which beach for New Year's? [Easy] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: Copacabana Beach.
12. Q: What noise-making object do the Japanese ring 108 times on New Year's Eve? [Hard] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: Temple bells (Joya no Kane).
Pop Culture & Year in Review (Evergreen Ideas)
Note: Customize these with specific events from the past year!
13. Q: Which movie was the highest-grossing film of the past year? [Easy] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: [Insert current year's blockbuster].
14. Q: Which viral song took over TikTok this past summer? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: [Insert viral track].
15. Q: What was the most "Googled" term of the year? [Medium] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: [Insert trending search].
16. Q: Which celebrity couple shocked the internet with their breakup this year? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: [Insert couple].
17. Q: What major sporting event captivated the world this year? [Easy] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: [Insert Olympics/World Cup/Super Bowl].
Fun "Guess the Fact" Trivia for New Year
18. Q: How much confetti is dropped on Times Square on New Year's Eve? [Hard] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: Approximately 3,000 pounds (1.5 tons).
19. Q: How fast can a cork fly out of a champagne bottle? [Medium] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: Up to 25 miles per hour.
20. Q: Julius Caesar introduced which calendar that established January 1st as the start of the year? [Hard] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: The Julian Calendar.
21. Q: Approximately what percentage of New Year's resolutions fail by February? [Medium] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: About 80%.
22. Q: Which month is named after Janus, the god with two faces? [Medium] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: January (one face looks back, one looks forward).
23. Q: What shape is the "time ball" dropped in Greenwich, England? [Hard] [🟣 Best for Live games or Zoom quizzes]
Answer: It's a sphere (ball), used originally for ships to set their clocks.
24. Q: In Italy, wearing what color underwear is lucky on NYE? [Easy] [🟢 Best for Instagram Stories (polls, quizzes)]
Answer: Red.
25. Q: What is the most common New Year's resolution? [Easy] [🔵 Best for Reels (countdown + reveal)]
Answer: To get healthier/exercise more.
Try this: Pick 3 questions from different categories. Post them as an Instagram Story with a poll sticker, or turn them into a quick Reel with a 5-second countdown before revealing the answer.
Why Does New Year's Trivia Drive Engagement?
During the holidays, attention spans are short, but the desire for connection is high. Trivia works because it taps into three psychological triggers at once.
It Combines Nostalgia with Fresh Starts
New Year's is unique because it makes people look backward and forward at the same time. Trivia questions that cover "Year in Review" topics give people a chance to celebrate what they've lived through. That emotional hook is what turns a casual scroller into someone who comments, "Wait, that really happened this year?"
It Rides a Natural Wave of Attention
Search traffic and social interest in "New Year's" topics explode in late December. By aligning your content with this existing spike, you naturally increase your reach without needing to push harder or spend more.
It Gives People Something to Share
Trivia has a built-in ego boost. When someone guesses the right answer about a quirky tradition or a pop culture fact, they feel smart. That feeling drives shares. People love posting their results to Stories or challenging friends with a "Bet you didn't know this" caption.
How Do You Turn Trivia Into Interactive Videos?
A text list is fine for a blog post, but it doesn't stop the scroll on social media. To get real engagement, fun new years trivia works best when it's visual. Video trivia creates a game-show atmosphere that static images just can't match.
Why Video Outperforms Static Lists
Video gives you control over pacing and creates a "micro-dopamine" hit the same feeling you get from solving a puzzle. You can show the question, let the viewer think for 3 seconds, and then reveal the answer. This buildup engages viewers in ways static text never could.
Here's why video trivia wins:
- Visual context triggers memory faster: Instead of just asking about the Times Square Ball, you can show a clip of it dropping. Visual context triggers memory faster than text alone ever could.
- Platforms reward this format: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube prioritize video content, especially content that keeps people watching until the end (like waiting for an answer).
- Control over pacing creates suspense: The ability to reveal answers at the perfect moment keeps viewers engaged and wanting more.
Best Formats for Video Trivia
- Instagram Stories: Use the "Poll" or "Quiz" sticker over a video background.
- Reels / TikTok: Create a rapid-fire "Put a finger down if you knew this" challenge.
- YouTube Shorts: Post a single, hard question and tell viewers to check the pinned comment for the answer (great for driving comments).
Pro Tip: You don't need complex editing software to make these. Creators often turn these lists into quick quiz videos using simple templates. A countdown timer, a bright background, and clear text overlays are all you need to make the content look professional and reusable for next year.
Tools like Trivia by Typito make it even easier to create professional-looking trivia videos without design experience. You can add countdown timers, animated reveals, and on-brand styling in minutes, then export ready-to-post content for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
Try this: Take question #3 (Times Square Ball). Create a 15-second video: Show the question for 3 seconds → Add a countdown timer → Reveal the answer with a celebration effect. Post it to Reels and watch the comments roll in.
What's the Best Way to Use Trivia for Your Audience?
Trivia isn't one-size-fits-all. Here's how to adapt holiday trivia games for your specific situation.
For Brands & Social Media Managers
Use trivia to subtly highlight your industry without being salesy.
- Fashion Brand: "What was the most popular fashion trend of the last decade?"
- Tech Company: "In what year was the first iPhone released?"
- Goal: Keep it light, but relevant to what you do.
Try this: Post one industry-related trivia question per day in the week leading up to New Year's. Track which question gets the most engagement that tells you what your audience cares about.
For Classrooms & Educators
Use trivia as a "Welcome Back" icebreaker after winter break.
- Focus on global traditions to teach cultural awareness.
- Create a "Year in Review" quiz about topics covered in class before the break.
Try this: Start the first class of January with a 5-question quiz about global New Year traditions. Award small prizes for participation, not just correct answers.
For Teams & Communities
Use trivia to wake everyone up during that first meeting of the year.
- Host a live 10-minute Zoom quiz.
- Focus on "Office Pop Culture" (e.g., "Who sent the most Slack messages last year?").
Try this: Create a custom trivia quiz about your team's year. Include inside jokes, memorable moments, and funny stats. It's a low-pressure way to reconnect after the break.
FAQs About New Year's Trivia
How long should a New Year's trivia game be?
Keep it short. For social media videos, 1 to 3 questions is ideal. For a live team event, 10 to 15 questions (about 15 minutes) is the sweet spot to keep energy high without dragging on.
Can I use trivia for marketing?
Absolutely. Trivia is a "soft sell." It builds positive sentiment and engagement without asking for money. It reminds people you exist in a fun, non-intrusive way.
Where can I find images for my trivia video?
Stock libraries are great, but simple bold text on a colorful, festive background often works better for readability on small phone screens.
What's the best way to make trivia interactive?
Use video. Adding a countdown timer creates urgency, and visually revealing the answer satisfies curiosity much better than reading a static text post.
Ready to Try This?
The New Year is the perfect time to experiment with new formats. Pick 3 questions from the list above, drop them into a video template using Trivia by Typito, and post them before January 1st.
You might just find that a little bit of trivia is the best way to kick off the year and the easiest way to get your audience to actually engage.
You can post this today.
