festivity

[ fe-stiv-i-tee ]

/ fɛˈstɪv ɪ ti /

a festive celebration or occasion.

festivities, festive events or activities: the festivities of Christmas.

festive character or quality; gaiety; merriment.

Origin of festivity

1350–1400; Middle English festivite (< Old French) < Latin fēstīvitās. See festive, -ity

Some will be avoiding New Year festivities entirely—and very sensible folk they are too.

The Refuseniks Hiding From ‘Happy New Year’ |Lizzie Crocker |December 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But with the outbreak of hostilities in mid-2011, all festivities were thrust into the deep freeze.

In One Corner of Syria, Christmas Spirit Somehow Manages to Survive |Peter Schwartzstein |December 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, despite the extravagance of the parades, Putin was not there to witness the festivities.

Ramzan Kadyrov: The Man Between Putin and ISIS |Anna Nemtsova |October 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She returned this year, headlined the festivities, before heading to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Oklahoma City.

New York Fashion Week's Teen Sensation: Isabella Rose Taylor, 13, Stages A Sartorial Revolution |Justin Jones |September 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Spread out among nine tents, more than 20,000 pounds of lobster are served throughout the five-day festivities.

America’s Best Summer Food Festivals |Lonely Planet |July 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In the carriage the talk was unceasing—talk of home, of expectant friends, of Christmas meetings and festivities.

Dead Man's Rock |Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
Solemn hymns were to be sung at the uncovering of the statues, beside other festivities.

Visit to Iceland |Ida Pfeiffer
A tablet in the Arena records this Congress and the festivities held to celebrate it.

The Story of Verona |Alethea Wiel
Nothing was allowed to transpire to disturb the festivities at Greenwich.

The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon |J.A. Froude
The answer was closed with these words: "We are anxiously awaiting your arrival, and are all ready to commence our festivities."

The Empire of Russia |John S. C. Abbott

festivity

/ (fɛsˈtɪvɪtɪ) /

merriment characteristic of a festival, party, etc

any festival or other celebration

(plural) festive proceedings; celebrations