festivals

noun

plural of festival
as in celebrations
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 festivals At festivals, a party and a movie can compete for the same people. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 The Hindi-language film has also travelled to prestigious international film festivals, including the Tokyo International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 The Cambodian adaptation is the first feature from Huang Han, whose earlier work has screened at the Berlin, Busan and Pingyao film festivals. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 The political right has been targeting Indian Americans for more than a year, with racist rhetoric deployed against the H1-B visa program, Sikh truck drivers and Hindu temples and festivals. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 After spending all summer on the road in Europe on the Faithkeepers tour, the band has a long layoff before its next gig in June 2027 at a pair of festivals in Norway and Denmark. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 After celebrating its 25th edition in 2025, one of the country’s longest-running punk festivals was suddenly taking a year off. — Dick Slaughter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 It was really always set up to be a showcase, a best-of-the-festivals model. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 Dussehra and Vijayadashami are two Hindu festivals usually celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half (shukla paksha) of the Hindu calendar month of Ashvina, which falls in September–October according to the Gregorian calendar. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivals
  1. celebrations
  2. festivities
  3. fiestas
Noun
  • Though some of the Sacramento area’s versions of the traditional Bavarian festival have already come and gone, other signature celebrations in the region are still ahead.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Together, the songs take longtime Prine fans and new followers more deeply into his vivid approach to songwriting, which gave voice to the lives, emotions, struggles and celebrations of everyday people.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of celebrations
Noun
  • Kim and his cast joined the festivities, with the film starring host Kim Min-ha alongside Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Chang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Lee Hee-jun, Jeon So-young and Kim Dong-hwi.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Although their mythological associations and forms of celebration differ by region, both are marked by major religious and communal observances and festivities.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of festivities
Noun
  • Spanish towns and cities also regularly honor local patron saints with fiestas.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of fiestas

Browse Nearby Words

festival
festivals
festive
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Cite this Entry

“Festivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivals. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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