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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Recent Examples of festivals
The report says that film festivals are operating under enormous pressure and fear for their survival.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
In a city packed with excellent jazz musicians, and a century of history with the genre, why is there no local equivalent of the massive festivals that cities like Montreal, New Orleans or Montreux, Switzerland, have built?
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
From galas to film festivals and award shows, the couple has solidified their spot time and time again as one of the most gorgeous couples in Hollywood.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
On Air Fest debuted in 2018, and produces festivals in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Second on the list was Palm Desert, California, which is located in the state's Coachella Valley and boasts close proximity to major facilities such as the PGA West, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and the Empire Polo Club (home to the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals).
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
The project would also remove 89 to 95 public parking spots and narrow the nearby street — Mary Avenue — leading to concerns over traffic safety and parking accessibility, especially during festivals at nearby Memorial Park.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Visit the chestnut, prosciutto and truffle festivals.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The Killers have sold more than 25 million albums globally while headlining Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and countless other major music festivals.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
In a city packed with excellent jazz musicians, and a century of history with the genre, why is there no local equivalent of the massive festivals that cities like Montreal, New Orleans or Montreux, Switzerland, have built?
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
From galas to film festivals and award shows, the couple has solidified their spot time and time again as one of the most gorgeous couples in Hollywood.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
On Air Fest debuted in 2018, and produces festivals in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Second on the list was Palm Desert, California, which is located in the state's Coachella Valley and boasts close proximity to major facilities such as the PGA West, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and the Empire Polo Club (home to the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals).
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
The project would also remove 89 to 95 public parking spots and narrow the nearby street — Mary Avenue — leading to concerns over traffic safety and parking accessibility, especially during festivals at nearby Memorial Park.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Visit the chestnut, prosciutto and truffle festivals.
—Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The Killers have sold more than 25 million albums globally while headlining Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and countless other major music festivals.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivals
Noun
-
Mardi Gras season is typically celebrated with jubilant music, street celebrations and parades, often occurring for the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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The National Symphony Orchestra is no slouch, the Washington National Opera is solid, the Kennedy Center Honors have often been genuinely moving celebrations of the best in American culture.—
Christopher Robbins,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The game — part of the NBA All-Star Weekend — saw GloRilla and various other celebs from the worlds of music, TV/film and sports kick off Friday’s evening’s festivities at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.—
Bob Mehr,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
13 Feb. 2026
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Buzelis will be the only Bulls representative at the All-Star festivities in Los Angeles.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For those traveling with children, TAFER’s signature Little Luxuries family program offers activities including face painting, ancestral Mexican games, traditional Mexican Cumbia live dance performances, beachside fiestas and more.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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The Semana Santa processions in Seville date back to the 16th century and are one of Spain's most famous fiestas.—
Nina Aquino,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivals. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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