festivity
Merry group occasion
Festivity is joyful celebration or merrymaking, especially as part of a holiday or special occasion: The town square was alive with festivity.
In the plural, festivities refers to the events and activities that make up a celebration: The wedding festivities lasted three days.
The word carries connotations of public, communal joy rather than private pleasure.
Traveling amusement attraction
- galaFestive formal occasion
- fiestaFestive public celebration
- feteElaborate public celebration
- jubileeSpecial anniversary observance
parade · pageant · revelry · extravaganza · ball · soiree · banquet · gathering
Lighthearted fun together
- jovialityHearty, convivial cheerfulness
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- gaietyLively, exuberant cheerfulness
- revelryNoisy, lively celebration
exuberance · jollity · conviviality · lightheartedness · cheer · mirth · vivacity · effervescence
Objects adding visual appeal
- balloonsAir-filled rubber sacs
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- confettiThrown celebration scraps
- bannersLarge displayed cloth signs
garlands · lights · bunting · centerpieces · flowers · candles · ribbons · tinsel
Organized auditory art
- dancingRhythmic bodily motion
- fireworksExplosive light displays
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- performanceCarrying out a task
spectacle · concert · cabaret · circus · show · singing · caroling · folk dance
Winter nativity celebration
- DiwaliHindu festival of lights
- HanukkahEight-day Jewish celebration
- EasterResurrection commemoration day
- EidIslamic holy celebration
Carnival · Mardi Gras · New Year's Eve · Halloween · Thanksgiving · Lunar New Year · Holi · Purim
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- customHabitual group practice
- observanceKeeping of customs
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
rite · toast · blessing · procession · tribute · inauguration · dedication · initiation
Formal celebratory meal
- buffetSelf-service meal display
- smorgasbordVaried self-serve meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
spread · delicacies · refreshments · holiday dinner · Christmas dinner · iftar · seder · yule log
carnival
Traveling amusement attraction
jubilee · parade · pageant · revelry · extravaganza · ball · soiree · banquet · gathering · reception
merriment
Lighthearted fun together
- jovialityHearty, convivial cheerfulness
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- gaietyLively, exuberant cheerfulness
revelry · exuberance · jollity · conviviality · lightheartedness · cheer · mirth · vivacity · effervescence · frolic
decorations
Objects adding visual appeal
banners · garlands · lights · bunting · centerpieces · flowers · candles · ribbons · tinsel · ornaments
music
Organized auditory art
performance · spectacle · concert · cabaret · circus · show · singing · caroling · folk dance · procession
Christmas
Winter nativity celebration
- DiwaliHindu festival of lights
- HanukkahEight-day Jewish celebration
- EasterResurrection commemoration day
Eid · Carnival · Mardi Gras · New Year's Eve · Halloween · Thanksgiving · Lunar New Year · Holi · Purim · Kwanzaa
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- customHabitual group practice
- observanceKeeping of customs
commemoration · rite · toast · blessing · procession · tribute · inauguration · dedication · initiation · consecration
banquet
Formal celebratory meal
- buffetSelf-service meal display
- smorgasbordVaried self-serve meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
barbecue · spread · delicacies · refreshments · holiday dinner · Christmas dinner · iftar · seder · yule log · gourmet
- baraatgroom, street parade, wedding party, musicians, dancers
- celebrationsgraduation, party, wedding, fireworks, birthday
- celebrationcelebrate, party, gala, bash, fete
- festivitiesparty, parades, carnivals, fairs, gala
- partiesbirthday party, party, costume party, house party, dinner party
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
festivitysolemnity
Serious, dignified quality
solemnness · somberness · gravity · austerity · grimness
- wedding festivitiesEvents marking a marriage
- summer festivitiesSeasonal outdoor celebrations
- seasonal festivitiesCelebrations marking calendar periods
- traditional festivitiesCustomary cultural observances
- cultural festivitiesGroup celebrations reflecting shared heritage