/ ˈfestɪvl; NAmE / noun
1.
a series of performances of music, plays, films / movies, etc., usually organized in the same place once a year; a series of public events connected with a particular activity or idea :
the Edinburgh festival
the Cannes film festival
a beer festival
a rock festival (= where bands perform, often outdoors and over a period of several days)
2.
a day or period of the year when people stop working to celebrate a special event, often a religious one
—see also harvest festival
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as an adjective): via Old French from medieval Latin festivalis , from Latin festivus , from festum , (plural) festa feast.