festival

Definition of festivalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of festival The festival is named for the cotton-destroying insect that forced the community’s pivot to more prosperous peanut farming a century ago. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026 Godzilla Minus Zero’s two leads, Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe, took the stage to introduce the Tokyo festival screenings and share a few words with fans. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Nov. 2026 The 33rd annual event received more than 12,500 submissions, with 78 scripts advancing to the finalist round before the festival selected 21 writers and writing teams as winners. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026 Marsocci announced at the event that Armani has signed a three-year partnership to support China’s Golden Rooster Awards, which is gearing up for the 37th edition of the film festival and prize, scheduled for mid-November in Xiamen. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
  • Sunday jazz brunches are something of a local institution, drawing Nairobi families for celebrations—the sign of a great city hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Four months later, Peter reaches out to an estranged Wendy with an invitation to his annual Scary New Year celebration at his parents’ remote cabin.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Black Friday may still be a few weeks away, but furniture retailers aren’t waiting for the official festivities to begin.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Bold statement earrings — the Pave Bow earrings from Neale’s Wrap It Up collection, her holiday capsule that was unveiled at the festivities — and a few choice rings rounded out her look.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Antonelli enjoyed the kind of fiesta only Mexicans can throw, with the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stadium section jam-packed with fans supporting the three champions, as well as local hero Checo Pérez, who finished his home race in 11th place.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And sore must be the storm indeed that can abash the foliage fiesta that pleases so many eyes.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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