festival

Definition of festivalnext
as in celebration
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

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of festival For Srouji, the ultimate measure of a healthy industry is not simply whether a filmmaker gets a movie made or lands a prestigious festival selection, but whether that success makes the next film possible. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026 Unlike other modern culinary festivals, there was no peeking behind the curtain, because, in fact, there is no curtain. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026 The pair initially presented the idea of a ski town festival to promoter Tim Sweetwood, who suggested an event in their home region instead. — Leena Tailor, SPIN, 23 Oct. 2026 Mehrel said, adding that the film went on to play over 50 festivals. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
  • Members of the dance group Danzantes Unidos Mitotiliztli performed in October 2025 during a Dia de los Muertos celebration offered by Athziry Día de Muertos and the city of Aurora at East Aurora High School.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The former center grabbed headlines in March for commenting on a Rangers loss that coincided with the team’s Pride Night celebration.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Headlining the festivities is a halftime performance from Big Boi.
    — Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But before its doors shutter for a while, the hotel is offering another year of holiday festivities, this time with a special twist thanks to an immersive collaboration with Parisian brand Repetto.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And sore must be the storm indeed that can abash the foliage fiesta that pleases so many eyes.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Spain will host a gran fiesta for its winning team on the streets of Madrid.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on festival

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster