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
In that spirit, here are five smaller, more affordable summer music festivals on the Front Range that offer an alternative to big events — and possibly the most bang for your buck.
—
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
The festivals specialist, who nurtures close ties to Hollywood, revived Taormina’s competitive strands and brought major names such as Martin Scorsese to speak at the festival in her return year.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 4 June 2026
Throngs of fans are expected to turn out at festivals that include pop-rock band Maná and Mexican crooner Alejandro Fernández, allowing money to trickle through to small businesses.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
While that venue currently holds more conventions than concerts, Long Beach has hosted notable outdoor music festivals in recent years, including Warped Tour, Day Trip and Dreamstate.
—Clay Marshall, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Kennedy worked with Satrapi on Persepolis, the filmmaker’s 2007 pic that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and racked up awards from the Cannes Film Festival and National Board of Review to critics groups and film festivals around the world.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The town also hosts several festivals throughout the summer, each catering to different interests—from baseball to jazz to mushrooms.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
The summer season of music festivals and arena shows has begun.
—Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Currently, conventions and festivals are the biggest reason people come to the capital city from out of town.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 28 May 2026
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
The festivals specialist, who nurtures close ties to Hollywood, revived Taormina’s competitive strands and brought major names such as Martin Scorsese to speak at the festival in her return year.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 4 June 2026
Throngs of fans are expected to turn out at festivals that include pop-rock band Maná and Mexican crooner Alejandro Fernández, allowing money to trickle through to small businesses.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
While that venue currently holds more conventions than concerts, Long Beach has hosted notable outdoor music festivals in recent years, including Warped Tour, Day Trip and Dreamstate.
—Clay Marshall, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Kennedy worked with Satrapi on Persepolis, the filmmaker’s 2007 pic that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and racked up awards from the Cannes Film Festival and National Board of Review to critics groups and film festivals around the world.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The town also hosts several festivals throughout the summer, each catering to different interests—from baseball to jazz to mushrooms.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
The summer season of music festivals and arena shows has begun.
—Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Currently, conventions and festivals are the biggest reason people come to the capital city from out of town.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivals
Noun
-
This year’s celebrations include main events in Los Angeles on June 14, Chicago on June 20 and 21, San Francisco on June 27 and New York on June 28.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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SoFlo Festivals, Fairs & Festivities gives you a monthly look ahead to celebrations throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.—
Rod Stafford Hagwood,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Nantucket’s town/county government is still scheduled to hold its Independence Day festivities, with a fireworks display capping off the day-long celebration.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The city has added another option, likely aimed at local attendees who would like to drive and park during the soccer celebration festivities.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
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
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The Spanish colonial government integrated the Santo Niño image into religious processions, music, and dance fiestas as part of efforts to convert the island’s population to Catholicism.—
Laura Payne,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivals. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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