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
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Recent Examples of festivals
There’s also a genius carry-on backpack for minimalists that could totally replace your suitcase, and a sleek mini sling bag that’s perfect for festivals, city wandering, or just keeping your essentials close and secure.
—
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
But there are plenty of other film festivals in Colorado, from Oscar-bait showcases and mini-fests to touring, niche and genre-specific events that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, the LGBTQ community, and horror fans — sometimes all at once.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Nowadays, SoCo is among the city’s top tourist attractions, and the San José is in the heart of the action, hosting local and touring bands in its courtyard and parking lot during festivals and special events.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Food truck festivals bring another dimension of local flavor.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
By and large, the siblings’ Hollywood sensibilities — David’s explosions, spectacle and big budgets to Megan’s auteurs, festivals and awards — have been seen as antithetical.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Future versions of Roklue rolling out this year will be tied to music festivals, the Emmys and holidays.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Her short film Semele (2015) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, screened at seventy festivals worldwide, and won the Special Jury Prize in the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2016.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Onward spends the year in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, with several itineraries timed around regional festivals and cultural celebrations.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
But there are plenty of other film festivals in Colorado, from Oscar-bait showcases and mini-fests to touring, niche and genre-specific events that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, the LGBTQ community, and horror fans — sometimes all at once.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Nowadays, SoCo is among the city’s top tourist attractions, and the San José is in the heart of the action, hosting local and touring bands in its courtyard and parking lot during festivals and special events.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Food truck festivals bring another dimension of local flavor.
—Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
By and large, the siblings’ Hollywood sensibilities — David’s explosions, spectacle and big budgets to Megan’s auteurs, festivals and awards — have been seen as antithetical.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Future versions of Roklue rolling out this year will be tied to music festivals, the Emmys and holidays.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
Her short film Semele (2015) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, screened at seventy festivals worldwide, and won the Special Jury Prize in the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2016.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
Onward spends the year in the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, with several itineraries timed around regional festivals and cultural celebrations.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivals
Noun
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The month of February brought Tet celebrations, rainy weather and the start of spring season sports.—
Michele Cardon,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This year, the celebrations moved into fortified bomb shelters as the country wages war against Iran’s modern-day leaders.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In typical provincial fashion, these four days of festivities include crafts, great food, bluegrass music, and an opportunity to visit sugar camps, where sap is boiled down into delightfully rich syrup.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yesica Aramburo traveled on vacation to Mexico in April 2017 for the festivities in her Mexican family’s town of La Moncada, Guanajuato, in the center of the country.—
Karen Esquivel,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 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 9 Mar. 2026.
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