I’ve always loved gathering my friends and family for trivia nights, especially during the holiday season. There’s something so magical about elves, isn’t there? Whether you’re thinking about the pointy-eared helpers at the North Pole or the majestic elves from fantasy worlds, these enchanting creatures have captured our imagination for centuries.
I’ve put together this collection of 100+ elf trivia questions for your next holiday gathering, fantasy game night, or just to test your own knowledge. My family tried some of these questions last Christmas Eve, and my nephew shocked everyone with how much he knew about movie elves!
Elf trivia is perfect for holiday gatherings, fantasy conventions, or even as an icebreaker at your next book club meeting. Not only is it incredibly entertaining, but it’s also surprisingly educational – I’ve learned so much about different cultural traditions and folklore just by researching these questions!
I remember hosting a trivia night last December where we split into teams, and the competition got hilariously intense over some of these elf questions. My sister-in-law, who claims to watch “Elf” at least 10 times every holiday season, finally got her moment to shine!
Classic Christmas Elf Questions
Let’s start with some classic questions about those busy little helpers at the North Pole! These range from easy to challenging, so there’s something for everyone.
- What is traditionally the main job of Santa’s elves?
Answer: Making toys - According to popular tradition, what do elves typically wear on their feet?
Answer: Curled or pointed shoes - What common feature do most Christmas elves have?
Answer: Pointy ears - What is the traditional color of Christmas elves’ clothing?
Answer: Green and red - According to folklore, where do Santa’s elves live?
Answer: The North Pole - In Christmas tradition, how tall are elves usually depicted?
Answer: Small or diminutive (often 2-3 feet tall) - Besides making toys, what other job do Santa’s elves commonly have?
Answer: Taking care of the reindeer - What do elves traditionally make in Santa’s workshop?
Answer: Wooden toys and dolls - What mythical creature are Christmas elves most closely related to?
Answer: Norse/Scandinavian elves - In some traditions, what happens if you’re kind to a Christmas elf?
Answer: You receive good luck - What sweet treat are elves said to love the most?
Answer: Cookies - How do elves traditionally travel with Santa?
Answer: In his sleigh - In some Scandinavian traditions, what might elves do if they’re disrespected?
Answer: Play tricks or cause mischief - What tool do elves traditionally use to make toys?
Answer: Hammers - What holiday character is sometimes confused with elves?
Answer: Gnomes - What do Santa’s elves help make on Christmas Eve?
Answer: Santa’s naughty and nice list - What is a common name given to a head elf in Christmas stories?
Answer: Bernard - In which century did elves become associated with Christmas traditions?
Answer: 19th century - What do elves traditionally wear on their heads?
Answer: Pointed hats - Which country has the folklore tradition of the “Nisse” or “Tomte,” small elf-like creatures who help around the house?
Answer: Norway and Sweden
If you love holiday traditions, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring cute ways to say good morning to spread some cheer all year round!
Movie and TV Elf Trivia
From Buddy the Elf to Legolas, elves have made quite an impact on our screens! Test your knowledge of elves in movies and TV shows with these questions.
- In the movie “Elf,” what is the name of Will Ferrell’s character?
Answer: Buddy - What is Buddy’s favorite food in the movie “Elf”?
Answer: Syrup (especially on spaghetti) - In “The Santa Clause” movies, what is the name of the head elf?
Answer: Bernard - Which actor played Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films?
Answer: Orlando Bloom - In the TV special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” what does Hermey the elf want to be instead of a toy maker?
Answer: A dentist - In the Netflix Christmas film “The Christmas Chronicles,” what do the elves speak?
Answer: Elvish (their own language) - In “The Lord of the Rings,” what is the elvish word for “friend”?
Answer: Mellon - In the movie “Arthur Christmas,” what technology do the elves use to deliver presents?
Answer: S-1 (a massive spacecraft) - What magical ability do the house elves have in the “Harry Potter” films?
Answer: Apparition (teleportation) - Which actress played Galadriel, the elf queen, in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit”?
Answer: Cate Blanchett - What is the name of the elf played by Zooey Deschanel in the movie “Elf”?
Answer: Jovie - In “The Santa Clause,” what special ability do the elves have that allows them to travel quickly?
Answer: E.L.F.S. (Effective Liberating Flight System) - In the stop-motion film “Rise of the Guardians,” what is the name of Santa’s head elf?
Answer: The elves don’t have specific names in that film (yetis actually make the toys) - What does Buddy put on the Christmas tree in “Elf”?
Answer: His father’s nightie (thinking it’s a tree topper) - In “The Hobbit” films, what is the name of the Elvenking of Mirkwood?
Answer: Thranduil - What does Dobby, the house elf in “Harry Potter,” consider to be the greatest gift?
Answer: Freedom/a sock - In the 2018 Netflix film “The Christmas Chronicles,” what do the elves look like?
Answer: Small CGI creatures with big eyes and pointy ears - In “The Lord of the Rings,” what gift does Galadriel give to Frodo?
Answer: A phial containing the light of Eärendil’s star - In “Rise of the Guardians,” what do Santa’s elves primarily do?
Answer: They think they make toys but mostly eat cookies and cause mischief - What is Legolas’ father’s name in the “Hobbit” movies?
Answer: Thranduil - In the movie “Elf,” where was Buddy raised?
Answer: The North Pole - In “The Santa Clause,” what happens to an elf when they reveal the secret of Santa’s existence?
Answer: They lose their magic and age like humans - What special power do the elves have in “The Christmas Chronicles”?
Answer: They can create wormholes for quick travel
Looking for more movie-related trivia? Check out our collection of 80s movie trivia questions to test your classic film knowledge!
Fantasy and Mythology Elf Questions
From Norse mythology to Dungeons & Dragons, elves have a rich history in fantasy and ancient lore. Let’s explore some fascinating questions about these magical beings!
- In Norse mythology, what are the light elves called?
Answer: Ljósálfar - What is the lifespan of elves in Tolkien’s universe?
Answer: Immortal (they don’t die of old age) - In Norse mythology, where do the light elves live?
Answer: Álfheimr (Alfheim) - What primary element are elves associated with in many fantasy traditions?
Answer: Nature/forests - In Dungeons & Dragons, what are the subterranean dwelling elves called?
Answer: Drow (Dark Elves) - What special ability do elves typically have in most fantasy settings?
Answer: Enhanced senses or magic abilities - What are female elves sometimes called in fantasy literature?
Answer: Elven maidens or elf-maids - In Germanic folklore, what might happen if you disturb an elf circle?
Answer: You could be cursed or forced to dance until you die - What is the name of the language spoken by elves in Tolkien’s works?
Answer: Sindarin (or Quenya) - In Nordic folklore, what is “Elf-shot”?
Answer: A sudden pain or illness caused by invisible elf arrows - What are the dark elves called in Norse mythology?
Answer: Dökkálfar or Svartálfar - In many fantasy settings, what weapons are elves most commonly skilled with?
Answer: Bows and arrows - What distinguishing physical characteristic do elves have in most fantasy worlds?
Answer: Pointy ears - In Tolkien’s mythology, who is the first elf to awaken?
Answer: Imin (one of the three Elf-fathers) - In Germanic folklore, what celebration were elves associated with?
Answer: Midsummer’s Eve - What are the half-human, half-elf beings called in fantasy settings?
Answer: Half-elves - In Celtic folklore, what other mythical beings are elves often confused with?
Answer: The Sidhe or Fairies - In Tolkien’s world, what happens to elves when they “die”?
Answer: Their spirits go to the Halls of Mandos - What type of elf is associated with water in some mythologies?
Answer: Water elves or Nymphs - In what century did the modern conception of “Santa’s elves” begin to take shape?
Answer: 19th century
Interested in more thought-provoking questions? Explore our collection of philosophical questions that will challenge your thinking!
Literature and Book Elf Trivia
Books have given us some of the most memorable elf characters. Test your knowledge of literary elves with these questions!
- In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” what is the name of the Elven realm where Galadriel and Celeborn rule?
Answer: Lothlórien - In the “Harry Potter” series, how can a house-elf be freed from service?
Answer: By being given clothes by their master - What is the name of the Christmas elf in the book “The Elf on the Shelf”?
Answer: The book doesn’t give the elf a specific name - In Tolkien’s works, what are the three original elven clans?
Answer: Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri - What is the name of the heroic elf in the “Inheritance Cycle” (Eragon) books?
Answer: Arya - In “The Hobbit,” what is the name of the Woodland Elves’ kingdom?
Answer: Mirkwood (or the Woodland Realm) - In the “Harry Potter” series, what is Dobby’s final line before he dies?
Answer: “Harry Potter” - In Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, what are Santa’s elves called?
Answer: The Hogfather’s Little Helpers - In the “Shannara” series by Terry Brooks, what are the elves descended from?
Answer: Humans (post-apocalyptic mutated humans) - In “The Chronicles of Narnia,” which magical beings are similar to elves?
Answer: Dryads and Naiads - In Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion,” who is the king of all elves?
Answer: Ingwë (High King of all Elves) - In the “Artemis Fowl” series, where do the elves live?
Answer: Underground (in Haven City) - In “Harry Potter,” what punishment do house elves typically inflict on themselves when they disobey orders?
Answer: Physical punishment (ironing their hands, hitting their heads, etc.) - In Christopher Paolini’s “Inheritance Cycle,” how long do elves live?
Answer: Immortally (unless killed) - In the children’s book “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” what do the shoemaker and his wife give to the elves?
Answer: Clothes (shoes and outfits) - In Tolkien’s world, what are the elves who never left Middle-earth to go to Valinor called?
Answer: Avari (the Unwilling) - In “The Dresden Files” series, what is the name of the major elven courts?
Answer: Summer Court and Winter Court (Seelie and Unseelie) - In “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” what special ability do elves have?
Answer: They’re invisible to humans without special sight - What book popularized the concept of Santa’s workshop being run by elves?
Answer: “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“Twas the Night Before Christmas”) - In Tolkien’s works, what happens to elves if they choose to marry humans?
Answer: They become mortal
If you enjoy deep literary discussions, you might also like our collection of deep topics to talk about to stimulate meaningful conversations!
Video Game Elf Questions
From RPGs to adventure games, elves have been a staple in the gaming world. Let’s test your knowledge of pixelated pointy-eared characters!
- In the “Elder Scrolls” series, what are the High Elves called?
Answer: Altmer - In “World of Warcraft,” which elf race has glowing blue eyes due to their mana addiction?
Answer: Blood Elves - In “Dragon Age,” what are the elves who live in cities called?
Answer: City Elves or Alienage Elves - In the “Legend of Zelda” series, what distinguishes Link from the Hylian elves?
Answer: Link is actually Hylian, not an elf (common misconception) - In “The Witcher” games, what are the elves called?
Answer: Aen Seidhe - In “Divinity: Original Sin,” what special ability do elves have?
Answer: They can gain memories and skills by eating body parts - In “Skyrim,” which elf race lives the longest?
Answer: Altmer (High Elves) - In “EverQuest,” what starting city do Wood Elves begin in?
Answer: Kelethin - In “Guild Wars 2,” what are the subterranean dwelling elves called?
Answer: Asura (though they’re not technically elves) - In “Lineage II,” what class is typically associated with elves?
Answer: Archer/Ranger - In “World of Warcraft,” what are the elves who were corrupted by fel magic called?
Answer: Demon Hunters - In “Dragon Age,” what do the Dalish elves mark their faces with?
Answer: Vallaslin (blood writing) - In “The Elder Scrolls,” what are the Dark Elves called?
Answer: Dunmer - In “Baldur’s Gate,” what racial bonus do elves receive?
Answer: Resistance to charm and sleep spells - In “Warcraft” lore, what are the ancestors of all elves called?
Answer: Night Elves (Kaldorei) - In “Final Fantasy” games, what job class is often associated with elves?
Answer: Archer or Ranger - In “The Elder Scrolls,” what are the Wood Elves called?
Answer: Bosmer - In “Dragon Age,” what is the elven homeland that was destroyed?
Answer: Arlathan - In “World of Warcraft,” what are the blue-skinned elves allied with the Horde called?
Answer: Nightborne - In “The Witcher” games, what is the elven organization fighting for freedom called?
Answer: Scoia’tael
Looking for more gaming trivia? Check out our extensive video game trivia questions collection for your next gaming night!
Final Thoughts
Whew! That was quite the journey through the world of elves, wasn’t it? From Santa’s little helpers to the majestic beings of Middle-earth, elves have captured our imagination in so many wonderful ways.
I hope these trivia questions bring as much joy to your gatherings as they have to mine. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face light up when they know an obscure elf fact from their favorite book or movie!
Did you know all the answers? Which category was your strongest? I’d love to know which questions stumped you or which ones you found too easy!
If you enjoyed this elf trivia, you might also want to check out our other collections of holiday and fantasy trivia to keep the fun going. Happy quizzing!