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
This is a must-go festival, right on the Eastside Beltline trail, for pickle lovers and brine enthusiasts alike.
—
Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Accessibility and community care are important; the festival offers sliding scale pricing, live streams for most shows, 11 events with ASL interpreters, and have even programmed a gender-affirming care fair on April 11where attendees can meet real trans healthcare practitioners.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Pickpocketing typically occurs in crowded spaces—public transportation, markets, landmarks and festivals—where thieves can operate quickly and anonymously.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Accessibility and community care are important; the festival offers sliding scale pricing, live streams for most shows, 11 events with ASL interpreters, and have even programmed a gender-affirming care fair on April 11where attendees can meet real trans healthcare practitioners.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Pickpocketing typically occurs in crowded spaces—public transportation, markets, landmarks and festivals—where thieves can operate quickly and anonymously.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festival
Noun
-
Pakistani weddings are often elaborate, multi-day celebrations that place strong emphasis on visual storytelling, color and cultural symbolism.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Even so, the celebration is limited after going without pay for 45 days during this shutdown.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All the festivities came to a halt in the sixth minute when Austin took the lead on a header by Guilherme Biro off a Facundo Torres corner kick.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The 13 Going on 30 actress ditched her signature minimalist glam for a bright pink lip while giving fans a glimpse at her Easter festivities with her family on Sunday.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The gathering at Milander Field was part protest, part celebration — a vibrant echo of a Cuban fiesta.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
-
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
“Festival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festival. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
