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
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.
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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
Hament — starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal — made headlines at the fall film festivals, sweeping audience awards from Toronto to BFI London, among other fests.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 30 Nov. 2025
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
Hament — starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal — made headlines at the fall film festivals, sweeping audience awards from Toronto to BFI London, among other fests.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 30 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fests
Noun
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Visit the chestnut, prosciutto and truffle festivals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Contemporary galleries like Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Edition One Gallery, and GF Contemporary, all of which are women-owned, add to the mix, highlighting innovative art from around the world and presenting an exciting calendar of art exhibitions, festivals, and shows.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The reopening festivities came together in just a couple months’ time, with a marketing campaign that Trotter acknowledges did not generate much hype in advance.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
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While the focus is on helping singles find their match, couples are welcome to enjoy the festivities and help support their single friends.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Vince Young Steakhouse closed Sunday after 15 years in downtown Austin, ending the run of a restaurant that became a fixture for business dinners, celebrations and convention traffic.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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Young Miko has officially joined the celebrations of the 2026 Super Bowl.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fests. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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