as in festivals
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
a country music fest
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Recent Examples of fests
Use the musical as a palate cleanser of sorts from some of these other fright fests.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Here's a roundup of all sorts of events coming up, including winter fests; an array of performances; conventions, from cars to comics; museums and galleries; food and drink festivities; author visits; home and garden happenings; ways to get out into nature; and more.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Although it’s tightly curated compared to some sprawling film fests, the lineup always features diverse perspectives on Jewish culture, religion and the ways in which global political forces affect people on a person-to-person basis.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Spring and Fall Pecan Street Festival The biannual Pecan Street Festival, one of the largest and longest-running music and arts fests in the nation, is back with live tunes, local artisans and food vendors.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
The Midwest's best winter fests include big-city ice-carving competitions as well as cozy small-town gatherings.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The first phase roll out for Le Pacte underscores the sales punch of a select number of breakout dramas from exciting talent scoring big prizes at big fests.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Among other fests and prizes are Stockholm (Best Directorial Debut), Santa Fe (Best Narrative Feature), San Sebastian, Hamptons (Golden Starfish Narrative Feature) and Athens (Audience Award).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Bloodlines is a welcome revival of a great movie series that was often smarter, funnier, and more existentially resonant than other scare-fests.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Here's a roundup of all sorts of events coming up, including winter fests; an array of performances; conventions, from cars to comics; museums and galleries; food and drink festivities; author visits; home and garden happenings; ways to get out into nature; and more.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Although it’s tightly curated compared to some sprawling film fests, the lineup always features diverse perspectives on Jewish culture, religion and the ways in which global political forces affect people on a person-to-person basis.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Spring and Fall Pecan Street Festival The biannual Pecan Street Festival, one of the largest and longest-running music and arts fests in the nation, is back with live tunes, local artisans and food vendors.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
The Midwest's best winter fests include big-city ice-carving competitions as well as cozy small-town gatherings.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The first phase roll out for Le Pacte underscores the sales punch of a select number of breakout dramas from exciting talent scoring big prizes at big fests.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Among other fests and prizes are Stockholm (Best Directorial Debut), Santa Fe (Best Narrative Feature), San Sebastian, Hamptons (Golden Starfish Narrative Feature) and Athens (Audience Award).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025
Bloodlines is a welcome revival of a great movie series that was often smarter, funnier, and more existentially resonant than other scare-fests.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fests
Noun
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One of America's largest and longest-running music festivals is also one of the most musically diverse in the world.—
Piet Levy,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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The film has screened at more than 15 festivals, including its premiere at SXSW 2025.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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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Lunar New Year celebrations can prompt superstitious actions.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In the United States, however, the tradition shifted to Fat Tuesday, aligning with Mardi Gras celebrations and American work schedules.—
Vivian Richey,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fests. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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