Festivals of light
This Hindu festival, known as the "Festival of Lights," is celebrated by lighting oil lamps and fireworks.
Diwali
This country celebrates its New Year, called "Songkran," with a massive water fight.
a) Vietnam
b) Thailand
c) Indonesia
d) Philippines
b) Thailand
This Mexican holiday honors deceased loved ones with colorful altars and marigold flowers.
a) Cinco de Mayo
b) Día de los Muertos
c) Independence Day
d) La Tomatina
b) Día de los Muertos
This pie is traditionally eaten during Thanksgiving in the United States.
pumpkin pie
In the Czech Republic, this spring festival involves decorating eggs and dancing around a tree called the “maypole.”
a) Masopust
b) Easter Monday
c) Jízda Králů (Ride of the Kings)
d) Majáles
b) Easter Monday
This Jewish festival lasts 8 days and involves lighting a menorah.
Hanukkah
The Chinese New Year is also known as this zodiac-based calendar system.
Lunar New Year
In the United States, this holiday commemorates the end of slavery and is celebrated on June 19th.
a) Labor Day
b) Veterans Day
c) Juneteenth
d) Martin Luther King Jr. Day
c) Juneteenth
During the Jewish holiday of Passover, this unleavened bread is eaten.
a) Challah
b) Matzah
c) Bagel
d) Pita
b) Matzah
In Bulgaria, this celebration on January 1st involves young men performing rituals to bring health and prosperity, often wearing masks.
a) Kukeri
b) Maslenitsa
c) Fasching
d) St. Nicholas Day
a) Kukeri
In Thailand, this festival features floating lanterns released on rivers to honor the water goddess.
Loy Krathong
This African country celebrates its new year, Enkutatash, in September to mark the end of the rainy season.
a) Kenya
b) Nigeria
c) Ethiopia
d) Ghana
c) Ethiopia
This Buddhist holiday marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
a) Diwali
b) Vesak
c) Holi
d) Ramadan
b) Vesak
In Italy, this sweet bread loaf is enjoyed during Christmas.
a) Focaccia
b) Panettone
c) Ciabatta
d) Brioche
b) Panettone
This Russian festival celebrates the end of winter with pancakes, music, and bonfires.
a) Maslenitsa
b) Ivan Kupala Day
c) Victory Day
d) White Nights Festival
a) Maslenitsa
This Persian festival celebrates the arrival of spring with bonfires and colorful powder.
Nowruz
In Spain, it’s tradition to eat 12 of these as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
a) Olives
b) Grapes
c) Almonds
d) Cherries
b) Grapes
This Scandinavian celebration on December 13th honors a saint who brings light during winter darkness.
a) St. Patrick’s Day
b) St. Nicholas Day
c) St. Lucia’s Day
d) Midsummer Festival
c) St. Lucia’s Day
In India, this sweet treat is commonly prepared and shared during Diwali celebrations.
a) Samosa
b) Mithai
c) Naan
d) Biryani
b) Mithai (sweets)
In Germany, this pre-Lenten celebration is known for costumes, parades, and parties, especially in Cologne and Munich.
a) Oktoberfest
b) Fasching
c) Walpurgis Night
d) Christmas Markets
b) Fasching (or Karneval)
This ancient Roman festival of lights celebrated the winter solstice and involved decorating homes with greenery.
Saturnalia
During the Japanese New Year, people eat "Osechi Ryori," which is best described as:
a) A variety of traditional dishes packed in special boxes
b) Sweet rice cakes eaten for good luck
c) Grilled fish served with rice
d) Noodles symbolizing longevity
a) A variety of traditional dishes packed in special boxes
This Caribbean holiday celebrates African heritage and culture, usually in the first week of August.
a) Caribbean History Day
b) Kwanzaa
c) Emancipation Day
d) Junkanoo
c) Emancipation Day (or Caribbean Carnival)
This Japanese rice cake is eaten during New Year celebrations for good luck.
Mochi
This traditional Bulgarian celebration on March 1st welcomes spring by exchanging red-and-white woven bracelets called Martenitsa.
a) Baba Marta
b) Kukeri
c) Martisor
d) St. George’s Day
a) Baba Marta