as in celebrations
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
tourists flock to the town for its annual strawberry festival
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivals
This dual character — part professional market, part popular celebration — is increasingly setting Cádiz apart from conventional festivals, reinforcing its potential.
—
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Here's which fall festivals are taking place in Greater Cincinnati throughout September and October.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Houston has gotten creative with neighborhood markets, putting African and Caribbean food vendors front and center and turning weekends into these mini-festivals that work for locals and regional travelers alike.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 19 Sep. 2025
Film Workers for Palestine emphasize that their boycott is not aimed at individuals, but institutions, such as Israeli film production and distribution companies, even film festivals.
—Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Timed around iconic festivals and community celebrations, the journey can transform familiar highways into once-a-year experiences.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Doc Square was designed precisely to strengthen that link – creating a platform that connects festivals, distribution, funding mechanisms, and eventually sales, so that Asian documentaries can sustain both their artistry and their industry base.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025
The film has played more than 100 festivals internationally and is distributed by Kino Lorber.
—Hazlitt, 12 Sep. 2025
Counting The Life of Chuck, which premiered at festivals in 2024 but opened wide this June, four of King's stories will have hit the box office by the time 2025 comes to a close, three of which—Chuck, The Monkey, and this week's The Long Walk—were first-time adaptations.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Here's which fall festivals are taking place in Greater Cincinnati throughout September and October.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Houston has gotten creative with neighborhood markets, putting African and Caribbean food vendors front and center and turning weekends into these mini-festivals that work for locals and regional travelers alike.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 19 Sep. 2025
Film Workers for Palestine emphasize that their boycott is not aimed at individuals, but institutions, such as Israeli film production and distribution companies, even film festivals.
—Mandalit Del Barco, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
Timed around iconic festivals and community celebrations, the journey can transform familiar highways into once-a-year experiences.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Doc Square was designed precisely to strengthen that link – creating a platform that connects festivals, distribution, funding mechanisms, and eventually sales, so that Asian documentaries can sustain both their artistry and their industry base.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025
The film has played more than 100 festivals internationally and is distributed by Kino Lorber.
—Hazlitt, 12 Sep. 2025
Counting The Life of Chuck, which premiered at festivals in 2024 but opened wide this June, four of King's stories will have hit the box office by the time 2025 comes to a close, three of which—Chuck, The Monkey, and this week's The Long Walk—were first-time adaptations.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivals
Noun
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The relative lack of attention toward Hortman’s assassination has been pointed to by some left-wing figures as evidence of hypocrisy from those on the Right, particularly those who were angry over the celebrations of some left-wing social media users over Kirk’s death.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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There are many tastings, celebrations, parties and events with food and music as well.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That’s the message from senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who has put the boot into the nation’s top football leagues for booking international entertainers to lead their grand final festivities.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
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As usual, Entertainment Weekly will be front and center for all the festivities with PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's Red Carpet Live show.—
Rebecca Detken,
EW.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For those traveling with children, TAFER’s signature Little Luxuries family program offers activities including face painting, ancestral Mexican games, traditional Mexican Cumbia live dance performances, beachside fiestas and more.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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The Semana Santa processions in Seville date back to the 16th century and are one of Spain's most famous fiestas.—
Nina Aquino,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivals. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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