festivity

noun

fes·​tiv·​i·​ty fe-ˈsti-və-tē 

fə-

plural festivities

1

: festival sense 1

2

: the quality or state of being festive : gaiety

3

: festive activity

Synonyms of festivity

• cheerfulness
• glee
• merriness
• cheer

Examples of festivity in a Sentence

The decorations give the hall an air of festivity.

The festivities will include a parade, a concert, and games for children.

We enjoyed the New Year's Eve festivities.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lower Lakes will see snowy periods in the days prior to Christmas and through the new year, and those on the roads should plan for more time to get to their festivities. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Santa Claus also makes appearances, and story time, craft sessions, and cookie decorating add to the festivities. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2025

For Deyla, the festivities culminated years of hard work, perseverance, entrepreneurship and overcoming a lifetime of hardships. —Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Nov. 2025

Last week the country celebrated a quiet 82nd independence day from French rule – with no grand parades or festivities because of what Lebanese normally call 'the situation'. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for festivity

• acclivity
• activity
• captivity
• declivity
• nativity
• passivity
• proclivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• conductivity
• connectivity

Kids Definition

festivity

noun

fes·​tiv·​i·​ty fes-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

plural festivities

1

: festival sense 1

2

: the quality or state of being festive

3

: festive activity