festival

American  

[fes-tuh-vuhl] / ˈfɛs tə vəl /

noun

1. a day or time of religious or other celebration, marked by feasting, ceremonies, or other observances.

   the festival of Christmas; a Roman festival.

2. a periodic commemoration, anniversary, or celebration.

   an annual strawberry festival.

3. a period or program of festive activities, cultural events, or entertainment.

   a music festival.

4. gaiety; revelry; merrymaking.

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adjective

1. festal.

   a festival atmosphere of unrestrained joy.

festival British  

/ ˈfɛstɪvəl /

noun

1. a day or period set aside for celebration or feasting, esp one of religious significance

2. any occasion for celebration, esp one which commemorates an anniversary or other significant event

3. an organized series of special events and performances, usually in one place

   a festival of drama

4. archaic a time of revelry; merrymaking

5. (modifier) relating to or characteristic of a festival

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Other Word Forms

• prefestival
  noun

Etymology

Origin of festival

1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin fēstivālis ( diēs ) holy (day). See festive, -al ¹

Explanation

A festival might be an all-day series of music performances or a weekend of short plays or films. Any program made up of many different acts, especially lasting an entire day or several days, can be called a festival. Another meaning of the word festival is "big party," again most often a celebration that lasts for a long period of time. Some festivals are religious, and others are seasonal or cultural, like a city's Italian Heritage Festival. Some famous festivals include the Fringe Festival in Scotland, Carnivale in Brazil, Oktoberfest in Germany and Burning Man in the United States. You could travel the world as a festival hopper.

Example Sentences

Lupa’s investments include stakes in Tribeca Enterprises, which runs the Tribeca Film Festival, as well as Art Basel parent MCH Group.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Jazz giant and celebrated bassist Stanley Clarke says launching and curating the new Santa Monica International Jazz Festival was serendipitous.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

This version of “Animal Farm” also carries the distinctly eerie backing from Angel Studios, which picked up the film’s North American distribution rights after it premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival last year.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Twenty-five years on, the City of Derry Jazz Festival is marking a major milestone drawing major international artists, filling hotels and thrilling ever growing audiences each year.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

He had been a pupil of the Archmage, and returned sometimes to Roke for the Winter Festival or the Long Dance in summer.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• anniversary
• commemoration
• competition
• fair
• feast
• gala
• holiday