New Year's Trivia
This New Year's trivia game is for New Year's Eve parties with friends, family or coworkers. The 23 Missions mix questions on the ball drop, traditions around the world and calendar history with countdown and outfit dares, and take about 45 to 60 minutes. Play in teams of two to six, with as many teams as you like.
Missions
1. Ball Drop Beginnings (TEXT)
Welcome to New Year's trivia — let's kick things off with a classic! 🎉 The Times Square ball drop is one of the most iconic New Year's Eve traditions in the world. But how far back does it go? On December 31 of which year did the very first ball drop take place in Times Square? Type the year!
150 points
2. Grape Expectations 🍇 (TEXT)
In Spain, New Year's Eve comes with a delicious challenge — locals race to eat a specific number of grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock! How many grapes do people in Spain traditionally eat at midnight on New Year's Eve? Type your answer as a number!
150 points
3. Dream Big: Your Team's #1 Resolution (TEXT)
Every great year starts with a bold vision! In one or two sentences, what is your team's most ambitious New Year's resolution for the year ahead? Think big, be specific, and make it something worth celebrating when you crush it next December!
150 points
4. The Ultimate Countdown! (VIDEO)
It's time to ring in the New Year — Goosechase style! 🎉 Record a video of your ENTIRE team doing the most dramatic, over-the-top 10-second countdown you can muster, then erupt into a thunderous 'Happy New Year!' at zero. Think big energy, big voices, and zero chill — this is your moment to shine!
150 points
5. Hogmanay: First-Footing Explained (TEXT)
Scotland's legendary New Year's Eve celebration is called Hogmanay, and it comes with a very special tradition! In Hogmanay, what does 'first-footing' mean? Describe the custom in your own words — what happens, and who is involved? Type your best explanation!
400 points
6. Calendar Glow-Up: Julian vs. Gregorian (TEXT)
The Gregorian calendar didn't just replace the Julian calendar for fun — there was a real problem with the old system! In 240 characters or less, explain what was wrong with the Julian calendar and why a switch was necessary. Put on your history hat and impress us! 🗓️
400 points
7. NYE Runway Realness (PHOTO)
It's time to unleash your inner fashion icon — New Year's Eve edition! 🎉 Raid the room for anything you can find: tinsel, napkins, makeshift hats, scarves, balloon accessories — whatever it takes to assemble the most outrageously festive NYE party outfit on at least one brave team member. Strike a pose and snap a photo showing off the full look. May the most fabulous team win!
400 points
8. Crystal Clear Countdown (TEXT)
The Times Square New Year's Eve ball is one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday — but do you know the name of the luxury brand whose crystal panels make it sparkle? Type the brand name below! ✨
400 points
9. NYE Symbol Spotter (TEXT)
Time to put those eagle eyes to work! 🦅 Look around the room and count every item you can spot that's traditionally associated with New Year's Eve — think champagne, streamers, party hats, fireworks imagery, clocks, confetti, and beyond. Type the total number you found and list them all. How many NYE symbols is your team surrounded by?
150 points
10. One Word, One Year (VIDEO)
Ring in the new year with a group intention moment! 🎉 Go around your team and have each person state their name and ONE word that captures how they want to feel in the coming year — then everyone shouts that word together to close it out. Keep the whole thing under 30 seconds. Ready, set, resolve!
400 points
11. First to celebrate (TEXT)
Which Pacific island nation is the first country in the world to ring in the new year? Type your answer.
200 points
12. The poet (TEXT)
'Auld Lang Syne' is based on a poem by which Scottish poet? Type your answer.
150 points
13. The calendar (TEXT)
Most of the world now uses which calendar, introduced in 1582? Type your answer.
100 points
14. The pope (TEXT)
Which pope introduced the calendar most of the world uses today? Type your answer.
200 points
15. Temple bells (TEXT)
In Japan, Buddhist temple bells are rung how many times at New Year to cast off human desires? Type a number.
200 points
16. Dressed for luck (TEXT)
In Brazil, what color do many people wear on New Year's Eve for luck and peace? Type your answer.
150 points
17. Leap in (TEXT)
In Denmark, people traditionally jump off what at midnight to leap into the new year? Type your answer.
150 points
18. Southern luck (TEXT)
In the southern United States, which food is eaten on New Year's Day for good luck? Type your answer.
150 points
19. The countdown (TEXT)
How many seconds does the Times Square ball take to descend? Type a number.
100 points
20. Two faces (TEXT)
January is named after which Roman god of beginnings and doorways? Type your answer.
100 points
21. Harbour lights (TEXT)
Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks are centered on which landmark? Type your answer.
150 points
22. Wartime blackout (TEXT)
The Times Square ball drop was skipped for two years during World War II. On December 31 of which year was it first skipped? Type the year.
200 points
23. Roses (TEXT)
The Rose Parade on New Year's Day takes place in which California city? Type your answer.
100 points
How to run it
- Copy the template. Click "Copy this template in Goosechase" and log in or sign up. You get your own copy with every Mission on this page.
- Invite people with the join link. Share your join link so players can join from any web browser or mobile device.
- Play. Start the game. Players complete Missions to earn points, and the leaderboard shows who is winning.
