32 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions (Ranked From Easiest to Hardest)

Are you looking for the ultimate source of Thanksgiving trivia questions?

Finding the best Thanksgiving trivia questions is a daunting task, especially if you're hosting a holiday party or family gathering.

Whether you're looking for questions to use as icebreakers or simply want to keep the conversation flowing, we've got you covered.

Before we dive into the Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers, we want to tell you a bit about Water Cooler Trivia.

You can host a trivia night with family and friends using our Thanksgiving trivia questions.

If you're ready to give Water Cooler Trivia a try, you can sign up for a four-week free trial.

We also offer a wide range of other holiday trivia questions, like our Christmas trivia questions and Hanukkah trivia questions.

Now, onto the Thanksgiving trivia!

32 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions Ranked From Easiest to Hardest (Updated for 2024)

1. What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to? Plymouth Rock! No, it wasn’t April showers that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth Colony, rather it was what cargo ship that crossed the Atlantic in 1620?
   
   Answer: Mayflower
   
   
2. North Carolina leads the nation in the production of what tuber, the state vegetable, which is used in pies and Thanksgiving casseroles?
   
   Answer: Sweet Potato
   
   
3. What autumn holiday was described by writer O. Henry as "the one day that is purely American?"
   
   Answer: Thanksgiving
   
   
4. Whether you make it yourself with fresh tart red berries or get the stuff in a can, what’s the name given to the jam-like, relish-esque side dish that’s a Thanksgiving favorite?
   
   Answer: Cranberry Sauce
   
   
5. Which brand of crunchy onion snack was invented by a Frito-Lay worker in the late ‘60s and became a key ingredient in many a family’s Thanksgiving green bean casserole?
   
   Answer: Funyuns
   
   
6. What ingredient links a sauce served during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, a popular variety of Wensleydale cheese, and a cocktail featured prominently in the series "Sex and the City?"
   
   Answer: Cranberries
   
   
7. Way before Plymouth, Spanish explorers celebrated a Thanksgiving feast with the Timicua, near the eventual site of the Castillo de San Marcos in what Atlantic Coast state?
   
   Answer: Florida
   
   
8. In what decade did both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and America’s Thanksgiving Parade start?
   
   Answer: 1920's
   
   
9. What landmark NYC event began as a way to celebrate Christmas and as a retail expansion in 1924 before shifting earlier in the annual calendar by 1927?
   
   Answer: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
   
   
10. In 1870, which president who was a commanding general during the Civil War signed legislation to make Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day federal holidays?
    
    Answer: Ulysses S. Grant
    
    
11. A Mr. Bean Christmas special bit inspired a "Friends" Thanksgiving gag of what sandwich-lovin' character getting his head stuck in a turkey?
    
    Answer: Joey
    
    
12. Anyone who’s able to come in early should join us for our annual Thanksgiving Wednesday golf round. Most of us are pretty good, but I’d be careful when Uncle Jimmy swings as most of his shots can be described as what tasty golf term that’s also a tasty lamb cut?
    
    Answer: the shanks
    
    
13. Eating a bucket of KFC will make you just as sleepy as a big ol' helping of Thanksgiving turkey, since most poultry contains about the same amount of what T-word amino acid?
    
    Answer: Tryptophan
    
    
14. How do both Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and America’s Thanksgiving Parade conclude?
    
    Answer: With the arrival of Santa Claus
    
    
15. There is a Native American tribe that viewed owls as a protective symbol from danger. This tribe share its name with the setting of the TV show "Parks and Recreation." What is this tribe?
    
    Answer: Pawnee
    
    
16. Don't say turkey: Vaccinium macrocarpon is the scientific name of what Thanksgiving staple?
    
    Answer: Cranberry
    
    
17. What is the wobbly red piece of flesh on top of the beak of a turkey?
    
    Answer: Snood
    
    
18. "The One With the Embryos," "The One With All the Thanksgivings," and "The One After Vegas" are notable episode titles from what long-running sitcom?
    
    Answer: Friends
    
    
19. The doughy mascot associated with canned biscuits, crescent rolls, and other unbaked confectionery has appeared as a balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades since 2009. What brand, featured in his name, does he represent?
    
    Answer: Pillsbury
    
    
20. Renamed the Santander Tower, what was the appreciative name of the 50-story skyscraper at 1601 Elm Street from 1982 until 2022?
    
    Answer: Thanksgiving Tower
    
    
21. What Seattle-based soda company releases annual Thanksgiving-themed flavors like Turkey and Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato, and Antacid?
    
    Answer: Jones Soda
    
    
22. Rory and Lorelai work to squeeze in four holiday dinners in "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving," an episode from what TV series?
    
    Answer: Gilmore Girls
    
    
23. Filmed on Thanksgiving by Martin Scorsese, "The Last Waltz" is a classic concert film about what classic rock band with about the most generic name ever?
    
    Answer: The Band
    
    
24. What year was the celebration that is most commonly considered to be the first Thanksgiving?
    
    Answer: 1621
    
    
25. Under which U.S. president did Thanksgiving become an annual holiday?
    
    Answer: Abraham Lincoln
    
    
26. Thanksgiving in the U.S. is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, but when is Canada’s Thanksgiving?
    
    Answer: The second Monday of October
    
    
27. A 1970 speech given by the Native American activist Frank "Wamsutta" James in Plymouth, Massachusetts marked the inaugural National Day of Mourning demonstration. On what important day in the American calendar does this demonstration take place annually?
    
    Answer: Thanksgiving
    
    
28. Who directed the 1986 film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", which showcased the disasters of Thanksgiving weekend traveling that starred John Candy and Steve Martin?
    
    Answer: John Hughes
    
    
29. What president officially made Thanksgiving a U.S. national holiday, marking the last Thursday in November on everybody’s calendar? This president had particular pressure to bring the country together for a friendly dinner.
    
    Answer: Abraham Lincoln
    
    
30. Which U.S. president was the first to give a turkey a presidential pardon?
    
    Answer: Ronald Reagan
    
    
31. In what century were the first pumpkin pies as we know them made?
    
    Answer: 17th century
    
    
32. According to the Lydia Child poem "Thanksgiving Day," it's just "over the river, and through the wood" to reach the house of what relative?
    
    Answer: Grandfather
    

What makes Thanksgiving trivia so engaging?

For one, it's a holiday that everyone can relate to.

Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family come together to feast on delicious food and share memories.

It's also a time to reflect on what we're grateful for.

This holiday spirit makes Thanksgiving the perfect time to host a trivia night.

Not only will you be able to bond with your loved ones, but you'll also be able to test your knowledge of all things Thanksgiving.

Where can you find the best Thanksgiving trivia for kids?

If you're looking for Thanksgiving trivia questions for kids, you can find them right here at Water Cooler Trivia.

We offer a wide range of trivia question sets that are perfect for kids of all ages.

Our trivia sets are ideal for family gatherings, holiday parties, and more.

Using Water Cooler Trivia, you can receive a new trivia quiz every week, straight to your inbox.

Get started with a free four-week trial today!