as in celebrations
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
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Recent Examples of festivities
For live coverage of Saturday’s festivities, click here.
—
Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
The furor has dampened the festivities of the normally high-camp, joyful, gaudy extravaganza, in which acts representing different, mostly European countries each perform a song, competing to be crowned the winner after a public and jury vote.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
This edition will have a noticeable absence among the entrants as Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo and second place finisher Renegade have both decided to skip the festivities and prepare for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
But the major festivities are set to occur around July 4, 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of American's adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 May 2026
As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For 2026, the festivities kick off on June 11.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 May 2026
Take a break from the town’s many festivities and events and stay at one of Berlin’s historic inns.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko attended the festivities in the Russian capital.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
The furor has dampened the festivities of the normally high-camp, joyful, gaudy extravaganza, in which acts representing different, mostly European countries each perform a song, competing to be crowned the winner after a public and jury vote.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
This edition will have a noticeable absence among the entrants as Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo and second place finisher Renegade have both decided to skip the festivities and prepare for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
But the major festivities are set to occur around July 4, 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of American's adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 May 2026
As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For 2026, the festivities kick off on June 11.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 May 2026
Take a break from the town’s many festivities and events and stay at one of Berlin’s historic inns.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko attended the festivities in the Russian capital.
—ABC News, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivities
Noun
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Texas lawmakers established the commission through Senate Bill 1350 during last year’s 89th legislative session to coordinate celebrations for the big anniversary.—
Brayden Garcia
May 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
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Taylor and James kicked off a night of celebrations by dancing to Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
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My aunt and uncle, who live in Santa Fe—home to the International Folk Art Market, one of the largest such festivals in the world (the next one is July 9-12)—are devoted flea-market pickers and collectors of antique oddities.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Delpierre says Catalonia is also attractive because of its extensive experience both in theatrical releases, international festivals and working with major streaming platforms.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivities. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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