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
The film is being positioned for a top-tier festival launch later this year.
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Born and raised in New Orleans, Collins had created a mobile sensory-safe space at her festival, which draws 30,000 people annually, because her autistic son, like one in thirty-two Americans also on the spectrum, needed it.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
We are humbled and thrilled by the response from film festival audiences so far.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Having won the Grand Jury prize for U.S. Documentary at Sundance last year, and traveled far and wide over the festival circuit for most of past 12 months, Seeds now opens a theatrical run at New York’s Film Forum.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Born and raised in New Orleans, Collins had created a mobile sensory-safe space at her festival, which draws 30,000 people annually, because her autistic son, like one in thirty-two Americans also on the spectrum, needed it.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
We are humbled and thrilled by the response from film festival audiences so far.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Having won the Grand Jury prize for U.S. Documentary at Sundance last year, and traveled far and wide over the festival circuit for most of past 12 months, Seeds now opens a theatrical run at New York’s Film Forum.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
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The weekend celebration started on Friday with a roller skating party on the smooth arena floor followed by a full schedule on Saturday of performances by local artists, tours and refreshments.—
Doug Duran,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Rangers celebrated their 1994 championship team before the game as part of the franchise's centennial celebration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even after a season of festivities, morale can be low and burnout can be high.—
Karen Hinds,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
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The anniversary festivities appeared to also take place at The Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills as Windey shared a snap of the hotel's logo as latte art.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Becoming a national pastime Pageantry’s roots in the Philippines trace back to Spanish rule in the 16th century, as colonialists used religious festivals, or fiestas, to evangelize the population while incorporating indigenous traditions into the elaborate processions and celebratory feasts.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
20 Nov. 2025
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Keep the flavor fiesta going with a cooking class at one of these select Texas restaurants and culinary schools.—
Stacey Zable,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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