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
Scottish films will open and close GFF this year including the UK premiere of BAFTA-winner Felipe Bustos Sierra’s documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street, which will open the festival on February 25.
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Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
While many films were name dropped to us in the course of our reporting on the festival, these 20 stood out.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
And really, that's what this whole festival is really about.
—Outside Online, 21 Jan. 2026
Tickets are on sale now for the all-ages festival, which organizers note is completely separate from SXSW.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
While many films were name dropped to us in the course of our reporting on the festival, these 20 stood out.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
And really, that's what this whole festival is really about.
—Outside Online, 21 Jan. 2026
Tickets are on sale now for the all-ages festival, which organizers note is completely separate from SXSW.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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