festivities
Joyous group events
Festivities are the events, activities, and celebrations that make up a festive occasion.
The word typically appears in the plural to describe the full range of celebratory happenings—parties, meals, performances, toasts—that accompany holidays, weddings, or other special events.
The festivities will begin at noon with a parade through downtown.
When someone joins in the festivities, they participate in whatever fun is underway.
Ceremonial public procession
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- fiestaFestive public celebration
- jubileeSpecial anniversary observance
- revelryNoisy, lively celebration
merrymaking · pageant · fete · extravaganza · commemoration · inauguration · conviviality · fanfare
Intense positive emotion
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
delight · laughter · cheering · dancing · singing · toasting · revelry · carousing
Objects adding visual appeal
- balloonsAir-filled rubber sacs
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- confettiThrown celebration scraps
- bannersLarge displayed cloth signs
bunting · music · dancing · cake · costumes · masks · lanterns · garlands
Venue for formal dances
- gownsElegant full-length dresses
- tuxedosFormal evening suits
- champagneEffervescent celebratory wine
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
black-tie · debutantes · waltz · banquet · philanthropy · fundraiser · red carpet · auction
Winter nativity celebration
- EasterResurrection commemoration day
- HalloweenOctober 31st festival
- ThanksgivingAutumn gratitude holiday
- HanukkahEight-day Jewish celebration
Diwali · Ramadan · Eid · Passover · New Year's Eve · Carnival · Midsummer · Lunar New Year
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- customHabitual group practice
- observanceKeeping of customs
- processionFormal moving line
liturgy · blessing · offering · ancestors · pilgrimage · harvest · initiation · rite
Slow-cook over coals
- housewarmingCelebration of moving in
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- cookoutOutdoor meal over flames
- tailgateRear vehicle hatch
bonfire · picnic · luau · clambake · kegger · afterparty · block party · mixer
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- fiestaFestive public celebration
- jubileeSpecial anniversary observance
revelry · merrymaking · pageant · fete · extravaganza · commemoration · inauguration · conviviality · fanfare · jamboree
joy
Intense positive emotion
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
exhilaration · delight · laughter · cheering · dancing · singing · toasting · revelry · carousing · high spirits
decorations
Objects adding visual appeal
banners · bunting · music · dancing · cake · costumes · masks · lanterns · garlands · lights
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
orchestra · black-tie · debutantes · waltz · banquet · philanthropy · fundraiser · red carpet · auction · reception
Christmas
Winter nativity celebration
- EasterResurrection commemoration day
- HalloweenOctober 31st festival
- ThanksgivingAutumn gratitude holiday
Hanukkah · Diwali · Ramadan · Eid · Passover · New Year's Eve · Carnival · Midsummer · Lunar New Year · Kwanzaa
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- customHabitual group practice
- observanceKeeping of customs
procession · liturgy · blessing · offering · ancestors · pilgrimage · harvest · initiation · rite · prayers
barbecue
Slow-cook over coals
- housewarmingCelebration of moving in
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- cookoutOutdoor meal over flames
tailgate · bonfire · picnic · luau · clambake · kegger · afterparty · block party · mixer · rave
- celebrationsgraduation, party, wedding, fireworks, birthday
- festivalscarnival, carnivals, Carnival, fairs, fair
- funamusement, entertainment, excitement, joy, merriment
- celebrationcelebration, celebrate, party, gala, bash
- holiday traditionsChristmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year
- Fiestasfiestas, parade, parades, decorations, floats
festivitiesmourning
Period following loss
funeral rites · memorial services · wakes · grief · lamentation
festivitiesausterities
Severe self-imposed restrictions
solemnities · drudgery · sobriety · fasting · abstinence
- wedding festivitiesEvents marking a marriage
- summer festivitiesSeasonal outdoor celebrations
- seasonal festivitiesCelebrations marking calendar periods
- traditional festivitiesCustomary cultural observances
- cultural festivitiesGroup celebrations reflecting shared heritage
feast, festival, festive, festivity, festivals, festoon, festal, festively, festiveness