as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
tourists flock to the town for its annual strawberry festival
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Recent Examples of festival
Submissions could consist of a favorite childhood moment, a family tradition or a special experience that captures the spirit of the festival.
—
Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
As Outfest makes its triumphant return with a four-day screening event in partnership with HBO Max, the LGBTQ+ film festival has revealed the first titles in its lineup.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
More information on ticketing and this year’s festival programming can be found here.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
The variety of talent on display at the festival this year supports that.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festival
Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
As Outfest makes its triumphant return with a four-day screening event in partnership with HBO Max, the LGBTQ+ film festival has revealed the first titles in its lineup.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
More information on ticketing and this year’s festival programming can be found here.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
The variety of talent on display at the festival this year supports that.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
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My regular weekly meeting of lifers became a celebration of my release.—
Joe Garcia,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
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While Park Circus has long worked with the Lumière Film Festival – an eight-day celebration of cinema old and new – and its MIFF, the world’s biggest market dedicated to heritage film, this edition marks the first time Park Circus is officially partnering with the market.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Wide receiver Drake London added to the festivities with 110 yards on eight catches and a touchdown.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Lights, fireworks, feasting, exchanging sweets and gifts, new clothing and prayer are often part of the festivities, as are rangoli, geometric floral patterns drawn on the floor with colorful powders.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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