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 animal was originally meant to be slaughtered for the Muslim festival of sacrifice.
—
ABC News, 3 June 2026
The festival's return was announced during Visit Sacramento's State of Tourism discussion, with organizers committing to hold GoldenSky in Sacramento in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The festival is June 3-7, with more than 200 live performances at 20 indoor and outdoor venues.
—Laura Daily, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Details on the call for submissions for the 2027 festival had not been released when the season was announced but are expected to come this summer.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
ABC News, 3 June 2026
The festival's return was announced during Visit Sacramento's State of Tourism discussion, with organizers committing to hold GoldenSky in Sacramento in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The festival is June 3-7, with more than 200 live performances at 20 indoor and outdoor venues.
—Laura Daily, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Details on the call for submissions for the 2027 festival had not been released when the season was announced but are expected to come this summer.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
-
The annual celebration was established by El Centro de Ayuda over 20 years ago as a way to curb gang violence in the 1990s.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Although the structure itself has been replaced, the site has been home to community gatherings, events, concerts and celebrations for the past 130 years.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The controversy is unlikely to overshadow this week’s festivities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The festivities were held at the terrace bar nine floors above Times Square at the Edition Hotel, and anyone sneaking in an illicit cigarette out on the balcony gets treated to a giant Wicked billboard flashing in LEDs.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Find the fiesta on May 2 and 5 at 9776 Eagle Creek Center Blvd.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Chile Brings Out the Big Guns Chile’s joyous presence as the Country of Honor at FICG meant panels, tributes, masterclasses and fiestas galore.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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