Autumn Around the World
In India, which festival marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the harvest season?
Pongal (in South India)
Fun Fact: Pongal is a major harvest festival in Tamil Nadu.
Which fruit is commonly associated with harvest festivals in the UK?
Apple
Fun Fact: Apples are often used in games and decorations.
What spice is commonly used in fall drinks like chai and pumpkin spice lattes?
Cinnamon
Fun Fact: Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices.
What is the term for trees that lose their leaves in autumn?
Deciduous
Fun Fact: Deciduous trees shed their leaves to conserve water and energy during the colder months.
What is the name of the festival celebrated in India that marks the victory of light over darkness and often falls in autumn?
Diwali
Fun Fact: Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated with fireworks and sweets.
Which country celebrates “Sukkot,” a fall festival that involves building temporary shelters?
Israel (and Jewish communities worldwide)
Fun Fact: Sukkot is a Jewish holiday celebrated in Israel and by Jewish communities worldwide.
In China, what is the traditional pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival to celebrate the harvest?
Mooncake
Fun Fact: Mooncakes are often filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste and sometimes contain salted egg yolks to symbolize the full moon
What sweet treat is made from boiled sugar and nuts, popular in autumn fairs?
Candied apple (toffee apple)
Fun Fact: Candied apples are a classic fall snack.
What is the term for animals moving to warmer areas during autumn?
Migration
Fun Fact: Migration helps birds avoid cold winters.
What is the official first day of fall called in the Northern Hemisphere?
Autumnal Equinox
Fun Fact: On the equinox, day and night are nearly equal in length.
In Canada, which month is Thanksgiving celebrated?
October
Fun Fact: Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, not November like in the U.S.
Which country celebrates “Lammas” as a harvest festival in August?
United Kingdom (England and Scotland)
Fun Fact: Lammas is an ancient festival in Scotland and England.
Which root vegetable is harvested in autumn and used in soups and stews?
Carrot
Fun Fact: Carrots come in many colors, including purple and yellow.
Which tree is known for its bright red leaves in autumn?
Maple
Fun Fact: Maple trees are famous for their vibrant colors.
What is the name of the full moon that occurs closest to the start of fall?
Harvest Moon
Fun Fact: The Harvest Moon appears brighter and rises earlier than other full moons
In the UK, what is the name of the autumn festival where people give thanks for the harvest?
Harvest Festival
Fun Fact: It often involves church services and food donations.
Which festival in India celebrates the harvest and is known for bonfires and dancing?
Lohri
Fun Fact: Lohri is celebrated in Punjab with music and sweets.
Which berry is harvested in autumn and is a staple in Thanksgiving sauce?
Cranberry
Fun Fact: Cranberries can float, making them easy to harvest.
Which bird is a symbol of autumn in many cultures due to its migration?
Goose
Fun Fact: Geese fly in a V-formation to conserve energy
Which country is famous for its “Maple Leaf” and vibrant fall foliage?
Canada
Fun Fact: Canada’s maple trees turn brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn.
In Mexico, which holiday at the end of October honors ancestors and loved ones?
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Fun Fact: It is celebrated with altars and marigolds.
In the Philippines, what is the name of the festival celebrating rice harvest?
Pahiyas Festival
Fun Fact: Pahiyas Festival features colorful decorations made from rice and produce.
What is the name of the sweet bread made with dried fruit, popular in autumn festivals in Mexico?
Pan de muerto
Fun Fact: Pan de muerto is made for Day of the Dead.
Which flower blooms in autumn and is a symbol of the season in Japan?
Chrysanthemum
Fun Fact: Chrysanthemums are celebrated in Japanese festivals.
What is the name of the migratory insect that travels from North America to Central and South America for the winter, often seen in large flocks during fall?
Monarch butterfly
Fun Fact: Monarch butterflies can travel up to 3,000 miles during their migration, one of the longest of any insect.