1
a
: a time of celebration marked by special observances
b
2
: an often periodic celebration or program of events or entertainment having a specified focus
a daffodil festival
a Greek festival
3
Synonyms
Examples of festival in a Sentence
Noun
Each year, a festival was held to celebrate the harvest.
The town has a summer festival in the park.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
While those plans have yet to come to fruition, over the last year the spot has been largely used as festival grounds.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
At the Craft Beer Barn, refreshing pours of favorite local beers will be paired with more L.A. concepts making their first festival appearance this year.
—Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
This also coincides with festival season, which kicks off with Coachella in a matter of weeks.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Over time, the festival length was extended and the start date moved forward.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere, festival signage is made from wood so it can be reused, while thousands of square feet of plastic banners at stages are taken by upcycling company Rewilder after the event wraps and sewn into tote bags and backpacks sold at the following year’s merchandise stand.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
Gallery Desert House by Gallery Media Group Gallery Desert House by Gallery Media Group is gearing up to provide festival goers with the ultimate desert oasis filled with non-stop entertainment, art and music.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Middle school students will host a make-and-take art project for festival visitors.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024
Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2024
The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The music festival has also released the official schedule for weekend one, which will see Lana Del Rey performing on the main stage at 11:20 p.m. PT Friday.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Coachella 2024 Coachella was the gold standard of music festivals.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
But Steve had been in Capri for the film festival a number of times and noticed this villa and was so taken with it.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2024
Some groups have canceled festivals and carnivals this year, but others still have activities planned for kids.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Those attending are also invited to bring their own kites to fly or buy kites at the festival while supplies last.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Breathwork, reflection, and meditation are just a few of the healthy coping mechanisms the festival’s workshops seek to impart.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The campaign launches globally today and will pop up during the festival season, with dedicated spaces, starting with the Dreamville Festival.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
While those plans have yet to come to fruition, over the last year the spot has been largely used as festival grounds.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
At the Craft Beer Barn, refreshing pours of favorite local beers will be paired with more L.A. concepts making their first festival appearance this year.
—Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
This also coincides with festival season, which kicks off with Coachella in a matter of weeks.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Over time, the festival length was extended and the start date moved forward.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Elsewhere, festival signage is made from wood so it can be reused, while thousands of square feet of plastic banners at stages are taken by upcycling company Rewilder after the event wraps and sewn into tote bags and backpacks sold at the following year’s merchandise stand.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024
Gallery Desert House by Gallery Media Group Gallery Desert House by Gallery Media Group is gearing up to provide festival goers with the ultimate desert oasis filled with non-stop entertainment, art and music.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Middle school students will host a make-and-take art project for festival visitors.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
After that, Justice plays two dates in Mexico (the duo’s leading territory, according to Winter), then a flurry of European summer festivals before returning to North America for four East Coast dates and more on the other side of the country that will be announced in the coming weeks.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2024
The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The music festival has also released the official schedule for weekend one, which will see Lana Del Rey performing on the main stage at 11:20 p.m. PT Friday.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Coachella 2024 Coachella was the gold standard of music festivals.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
But Steve had been in Capri for the film festival a number of times and noticed this villa and was so taken with it.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2024
Some groups have canceled festivals and carnivals this year, but others still have activities planned for kids.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
Those attending are also invited to bring their own kites to fly or buy kites at the festival while supplies last.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Breathwork, reflection, and meditation are just a few of the healthy coping mechanisms the festival’s workshops seek to impart.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'festival.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing festival
Dictionary Entries Near festival
Cite this Entry
“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/festival. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
festival
noun
fes·ti·val
ˈfes-tə-vəl
1
: a time of celebration in honor of a special occasion
2
: an often regularly occurring program of events or entertainment
festival
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on festival
Nglish: Translation of festival for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of festival for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about festival
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