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Winter festivals of light quiz

12 questions on the festivals that light up the dark months: Hanukkah, Diwali, the Fête des Lumières in Lyon, Amsterdam Light Festival, the December solstice, Santa Lucia, St Martin lanterns and Yalda, with the dates for 2026. One question at a time, the explanation and a source link after each answer, and your score at the end. Free, no account. Works offline once loaded.

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  1. Read the question and tap one of four answers.
  2. You see at once whether you were right, with the explanation and a link to the source.
  3. After 12 questions you get your score and a result to copy and share. To host it at the table, read the questions below aloud and open the answers when everyone has decided.

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All 12 questions

  1. 1. When does Hanukkah 2026 begin?

    1. At sundown on Thursday 3 December
    2. At sundown on Friday 4 December
    3. At sundown on Sunday 6 December
    4. At sundown on Monday 14 December
    Show answer

    B. At sundown on Friday 4 December

    Per Hebcal, Hanukkah 5787 begins at sundown on Friday 4 December 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December. The festival lasts eight nights, so the first candle is lit on the evening of 4 December.

    Source: https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/chanukah-2026

  2. 2. How many branches does a hanukkiah, the Hanukkah menorah, have?

    1. Seven
    2. Eight
    3. Nine
    4. Twelve
    Show answer

    C. Nine

    A hanukkiah has nine branches: eight for the eight nights, with one more candle added each evening, plus a ninth used to light the others.

    Source: https://www.hebcal.com/holidays/chanukah-2026

  3. 3. On which day is the main Diwali night (Lakshmi Puja) in 2026?

    1. Sunday 8 November
    2. Wednesday 21 October
    3. Monday 23 November
    4. Tuesday 1 December
    Show answer

    A. Sunday 8 November

    Drik Panchang lists Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November 2026. Dates can differ by a day between regional calendars, so check local event listings.

    Source: https://www.drikpanchang.com/diwali/diwali-puja-calendar.html

  4. 4. How long does the Diwali celebration last?

    1. One night
    2. Three days
    3. Eight days
    4. Five days
    Show answer

    D. Five days

    Diwali is a five-day festival of lights. In 2026 the celebrations start around 6 November (Dhanteras), with the main night on the 8th.

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

  5. 5. The 2026 Fête des Lumières in Lyon runs from Saturday 5 December until which day?

    1. Sunday 6 December
    2. Monday 7 December
    3. Tuesday 8 December
    4. Friday 11 December
    Show answer

    C. Tuesday 8 December

    The official site gives Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026, four evenings, with opening times between 6 and 11 p.m.

    Source: https://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/en/page/dates-and-opening-hours

  6. 6. According to the festival's own history, what did the people of Lyon do spontaneously on 8 December 1852 that started the tradition?

    1. They set off fireworks over the river
    2. They placed lit candles on their windowsills and balconies
    3. They hung lanterns from the bridges
    4. They lit a huge bonfire in the main square
    Show answer

    B. They placed lit candles on their windowsills and balconies

    When bad weather cancelled the official ceremonies for a new statue, residents put lit candles in their windows. Today many Lyon households still put candles (lumignons) on their windowsills on 8 December.

    Source: https://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/en/page/story-behind-festival

  7. 7. When does Amsterdam Light Festival, Edition 15, end?

    1. Thursday 24 December 2026
    2. Friday 1 January 2027
    3. Sunday 3 January 2027
    4. Sunday 17 January 2027
    Show answer

    D. Sunday 17 January 2027

    Edition 15 runs from Thursday 26 November 2026 until Sunday 17 January 2027, with the lights on every evening from 4:30 to 11 p.m. (closing at 9 p.m. on 31 December).

    Source: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/dates-hours

  8. 8. How long is the walking route of Amsterdam Light Festival?

    1. 1.5 km
    2. 4.5 km
    3. 12 km
    4. 25 km
    Show answer

    B. 4.5 km

    The walking route is 4.5 km and can be done in full or in sections. The canal cruise along the route takes about 75 minutes.

    Source: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/dates-hours

  9. 9. On which date is the December solstice, the shortest day in the northern hemisphere, in 2026?

    1. 21 December
    2. 20 December
    3. 22 December
    4. 23 December
    Show answer

    A. 21 December

    The US Naval Observatory gives the solstice on 21 December 2026 at 20:50 UTC, which is 21:50 in mainland Spain and Central Europe.

    Source: https://aa.usno.navy.mil/api/seasons?year=2026

  10. 10. Why was 13 December, Santa Lucia's day, once the longest night of the year in Scandinavia?

    1. Because of an eclipse in the 1500s
    2. Because the northern lights were strongest then
    3. Because the old Julian calendar placed the solstice on that date
    4. Because clocks were set back that day
    Show answer

    C. Because the old Julian calendar placed the solstice on that date

    Until the mid 18th century, when Scandinavia used the Julian calendar, 13 December coincided with the winter solstice. That is one reason Lucia, whose name means light, is celebrated as a festival of light.

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day

  11. 11. On which date do children in Germany, Austria and parts of the Netherlands walk in St Martin's lantern processions?

    1. 31 October
    2. 11 November
    3. 6 December
    4. 13 December
    Show answer

    B. 11 November

    St Martin's Day is 11 November (a Wednesday in 2026). Children carry paper or turnip lanterns and sing Martin songs in a Laternelaufen, sometimes led by a rider playing St Martin.

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinmas

  12. 12. Which fruit is especially tied to Yalda Night, the Persian celebration of the longest night, its red colour standing for the glow of dawn?

    1. Banana
    2. Fig
    3. Lemon
    4. Pomegranate
    Show answer

    D. Pomegranate

    On Yalda, around 21 December, families gather to eat fruit and nuts and read poetry, especially Hafez. Pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant, and their red colour echoes the crimson of dawn.

    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yalda_Night

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