Want to turn a regular night into a money-maker? Host a Thanksgiving trivia night! Here’s how it works: charge entry fees, offer themed food and drinks, and partner with sponsors for prizes. Trivia nights can boost sales by up to 300% while creating a fun, festive atmosphere.
Quick Steps to Get Started:
- Set a Date: Aim for the week before Thanksgiving on a quieter night like Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Plan Pricing: Charge $25–$30 per team and set food/drink specials to hit revenue goals.
- Get Sponsors: Partner with local businesses for prizes and ads.
- Prepare Questions: Use pre-made Thanksgiving trivia packs to save time.
- Promote Early: Advertise 3 weeks ahead via social media, email, and local signage.
Pro Tips:
- Balance question difficulty to keep it fun for everyone.
- Offer prizes like gift cards or discounts to encourage repeat visits.
- Track profits and gather feedback to improve future events.
Want ready-to-use trivia questions? Check out Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs for a hassle-free setup.
Step 1: Set Up Your Event Plan
Pick Your Date and Location
Choosing the right time for your Thanksgiving trivia night can make a big difference in turnout and earnings. Hosting the event during the week before Thanksgiving is often ideal, as holiday excitement is high, and people’s schedules tend to be more flexible. Aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday evening – these quieter weeknights can become profitable with the right event setup.
For the venue, look for a space that’s big enough to comfortably fit 15–20 tables, with clear views of presentation screens. Don’t forget to leave room for holiday decorations and food service areas, which add to the festive atmosphere.
Calculate Pricing and Revenue Goals
Here’s an example pricing structure to guide you:
| Revenue Component | Suggested Pricing | Target Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Team Entry Fee | $25–30 per team (4–6 players) | $500–750 in total entry fees |
| Food & Beverage Minimum | $15 per person | $1,200–1,500 in sales |
| Sponsorship Packages | $100–250 per sponsor | $300–500 in sponsorships |
Set your financial goals based on the venue’s capacity (e.g., 15 teams of 5 players). To maximize revenue, secure sponsors and prizes that enhance the event’s appeal.
Find Sponsors and Prize Options
Local businesses are often eager to support community events, especially those with a holiday theme. Highlight the perks of sponsorship when reaching out, such as:
- Exposure to an engaged local audience
- Promotion during the event
- Opportunities to provide branded prizes
Offer tiered sponsorship packages with benefits like logo placement on trivia materials, shout-outs during the event, social media mentions, and prize donation opportunities.
Market Your Event
Start promoting your trivia night at least three weeks before the event to generate buzz. Use a mix of digital and traditional marketing methods to reach your audience:
Digital Channels:
- Social media
- Email newsletters
- Local event listings
Traditional Methods:
- In-venue signage
- Community boards
- Word-of-mouth
Once your event plan is set and promotions are in motion, the next step is to create engaging trivia questions.
Looking for professional trivia materials? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs for ready-made question sets that your audience will love. For a steady supply of new trivia content, consider our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service to keep your events fresh and fun.
Step 2: Build Your Thanksgiving Question Set
Choose Categories for Your Questions
Create a mix of categories to keep everyone engaged. Focus your questions on these Thanksgiving-related topics:
- Historical Events: The First Thanksgiving, Plymouth Colony
- Food & Cooking: Classic dishes, regional favorites
- Cultural Traditions: Family customs, parades, football games
- Pop Culture: Holiday movies, TV specials
- Modern Facts: Current celebrations, fun statistics
Use Pre-Made Question Packs
Want to save time? Check out our Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs. These packs include everything you need for a fun event:
| Component | Description | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Question Rounds | 40+ carefully written questions | Covers a wide range of topics |
| Format Options | Available as PDF and PowerPoint | Makes setup and presenting simple |
| Bonus Content | Tiebreakers and alternates | Prepares you for unexpected ties |
| Answer Sheets | Printable materials | Keeps the event organized |
For regular trivia events, consider subscribing to our Weekly Trivia Subscription Service. Starting at just $0.99 for the first month, this service delivers fresh, themed trivia content every week, perfect for holiday games.
Adjust the Difficulty of Your Questions
Keep your game engaging by balancing question difficulty. Here’s a suggested breakdown for a 40-question game:
| Difficulty Level | Percentage | Number of Questions | Points per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 40% | 16 | 1 point |
| Medium | 35% | 14 | 2 points |
| Hard | 25% | 10 | 3 points |
Start with easier questions to build confidence, then gradually increase the challenge. Adding picture rounds or other visual elements can make the game more dynamic and keep players interested.
Before the event, test your questions to ensure they’re clear and appropriately challenging. This helps create a smooth, enjoyable experience that keeps participants coming back for more.
Step 3: Prepare Your Venue
Offer Special Menu Items
Boost sales with themed food and drink specials that tie into Thanksgiving. Here are some ideas:
| Category | Items | Price Point |
|---|---|---|
| Shareable Appetizers | Turkey sliders, cranberry wings | $12.99 – $15.99 |
| Seasonal Drinks | Pumpkin Spice Martinis, Apple Cider Mules | $8.99 – $10.99 |
| Team Platters | "Pilgrim’s Feast" sampler (serves 4–6) | $29.99 |
You can also offer special deals for teams:
- Team Special: One platter and 4 seasonal drinks for $49.99
- Victory Package: Winning teams get 20% off their next visit
- Early Bird Deal: Teams arriving 30 minutes early receive a free appetizer
Need more trivia ideas? Check out the Weekly Trivia Subscription Service and Thanksgiving Trivia Theme Packs at cheaptrivia.com.
Once your menu is ready, focus on setting up your venue to create a memorable and engaging atmosphere.
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How to Host a Trivia Night | Last Call Trivia | Host Prep
Step 4: Host Your Trivia Night
Your trivia night is planned and prepped – now it’s time to bring it to life.
Set Game Rules
Kick things off by explaining the game format and scoring system to your players. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Round Type | Format | Points | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Rounds | 10 questions per round | 1–2 points each | 20 minutes |
| Bonus Round | 5 Thanksgiving-themed questions | Double points | 10 minutes |
| Final Round | 1 tough question | Triple points | 5 minutes |
Once the structure is clear, share these ground rules with participants:
- No phones or electronic devices during rounds.
- All answers must be written clearly.
- Teams are limited to 6 players.
- Answer sheets will be collected after each round.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
With the rules in place, focus on keeping the energy up and the atmosphere fun.
Keep Players Engaged
After clarifying the rules, your job is to keep the excitement going. Trivia nights can boost sales significantly – venues have reported up to a 300% increase on these nights. To keep things lively, schedule 5-minute breaks between rounds for food and drink orders, display team standings, and even run quick mini-contests.
Looking for fresh questions each week? Check out our trivia subscription service at cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service.
Reward the Teams
Offering prizes is a great way to encourage participation and ensure players come back. Here’s a suggested prize structure:
| Place | Prize Type | Value | Benefit to Your Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Gift card + Trophy | $50 | Encourages repeat visits |
| Second | Venue credit | $25 | Promotes return visits |
| Third | Free entry to the next game | $20 | Boosts customer retention |
Want even more prize ideas? Explore additional options at cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs.
Step 5: Track Results and Plan Ahead
Calculate Event Profits
Use a profit analysis spreadsheet to keep track of your income and expenses:
| Category | Revenue Items | Expense Items |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Fees | Team registration ($20-30/team) | Prize pool |
| Food & Drink | Special menu items, themed drinks | Food costs, supplies |
| Sponsorships | Local business partnerships | Marketing materials |
| Merchandise | Trivia merchandise sales | Inventory costs |
These numbers can help you make smarter decisions about pricing and operations. Pay attention to trends and adjust your pricing as needed. Then, gather player feedback to improve future events.
Get Player Comments
Once you’ve reviewed your profits, it’s time to hear directly from your players. Set up ways to collect their feedback:
| Feedback Method | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Comment Cards | During breaks | Quick feedback on the venue or service |
| Digital Survey | Post-event email | Detailed feedback on the event experience |
| Social Media Polls | Between events | Preferences for future themes |
This feedback can help you tweak question difficulty, adjust prize offerings, and improve the overall experience for players.
Schedule Regular Events
Hosting events regularly helps you build a loyal trivia community. Weekly events often work well to keep players engaged.
Need fresh content? Check out our weekly trivia subscription at cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service. For just $0.99 for the first month, you’ll get:
- Over 40 new questions every week
- PDF and PowerPoint formats
- Themed holiday content
- Instant email delivery
Planning a Thanksgiving event? Browse our themed packs at cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs to make your holiday trivia night unforgettable.
Promote your events effectively through:
- Social media posts
- Email newsletters to past participants
- On-site signage
- Local community calendars
Keep an eye on attendance numbers and adjust your schedule to match player interest.
Conclusion: Steps to Trivia Night Success
Running a Thanksgiving trivia night takes careful planning and a lively presentation. Examples like The 1762 at the Warwick Hotel and Rubber Soul Brewing Co. highlight how trivia nights can turn slow evenings into profitable ones. They’ve reported impressive boosts in both new and returning customers.
To make your trivia night as successful as possible:
- Track Your Numbers: Keep tabs on entry fees, food and drink sales, and sponsorship income versus costs.
- Listen to Feedback: Use player suggestions to tweak your format and adjust question difficulty.
- Keep It Fresh: Spice things up with themed questions and seasonal updates.
These tips can help ensure your trivia night is both entertaining and profitable. Need help with content? Check out cheaptrivia.com/products/weekly-trivia-subscription-service for weekly question packs starting at just $0.99 for your first month. For Thanksgiving-themed questions, explore our special packs at cheaptrivia.com/collections/thanksgiving-trivia-theme-packs.
"Our trivia nights have been a huge boost to our Thursday evenings. Our community loves it, and we’ve seen an almost 300% increase in sales. Highly recommend!" – Brandie, General Manager
