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
Host cities are also staging free fan fests and watch parties at places like the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City and Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 27 May 2026
So while the league wanted officials to crack down on excessive physicality, players and coaches are already complaining that games are turning into whistle fests.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
The two-week bonanza of major talent from all over the world supported by the world’s biggest streaming platform managed to set itself apart from longtime fests like Montreal’s Just For Laughs or the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
From a star jazz vocalist to a star pianist, the Bay Area is hosting a lot of great shows, concerts and film fests this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The ticket prices are reasonable, there are fan fests, and the host cities work out how to get fans to the grounds for free.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Host cities will assume the costs for transportation, security, fan fests and police escorts for teams and FIFA officials.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
The station plans to celebrate its 100th year in 2026 with three 3-day fests over the summer; keep an eye on the website for details.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Film fests, from Boulder to Aspen Through Sunday.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 27 May 2026
So while the league wanted officials to crack down on excessive physicality, players and coaches are already complaining that games are turning into whistle fests.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
The two-week bonanza of major talent from all over the world supported by the world’s biggest streaming platform managed to set itself apart from longtime fests like Montreal’s Just For Laughs or the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
From a star jazz vocalist to a star pianist, the Bay Area is hosting a lot of great shows, concerts and film fests this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The ticket prices are reasonable, there are fan fests, and the host cities work out how to get fans to the grounds for free.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Host cities will assume the costs for transportation, security, fan fests and police escorts for teams and FIFA officials.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
The station plans to celebrate its 100th year in 2026 with three 3-day fests over the summer; keep an eye on the website for details.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Film fests, from Boulder to Aspen Through Sunday.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fests
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The event was moved up from its usual date later in June because FIFA World Cup festivities are scheduled to begin across Massachusetts next week.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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As the biggest soccer tournament kicks off next week, all the stars are gearing up to start the festivities over the next month.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
6 June 2026
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Fests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fests. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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