A dance; a rural festival of which dancing forms a principal part.

A festivity during which ale is drunk, held by or in connection with a church esp. to raise money for church repair, the poor, etc. Also: the ale…

An ‘ale’ or entertainment for the benefit of some person, to which a general bidding or invitation was given.

= church ale, n.

the festival of the maidens' guild.

The season for drinking.

a rustic festival or merry-making in celebration of the completion of some work (e.g. haymaking) done with the help of neighbours (obsolete).

an ale-drinking for the benefit of the parish clerk; also, the ale then provided.

the Chinese festival marking the start of the new year, beginning on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ending on the full moon…

An Indian festival celebrating a dance originally performed by Krishna and the gopis (gopi, n.) in Hindu mythology. Formerly also: this dance. Cf…

Any of various festivals held in the springtime, usually to mark the passing of winter into spring.

English regional (chiefly northern and western). The action, practice, or ritual of going about asking for donations of food, etc., traditionally on…

The action of begging or collecting alms; spec. the custom of going round the wealthier households of a parish at Christmas time to beg for money or…

a day (usually at Whitsun) on which Sunday School children walk in procession; cf. walk, n.1 7a.

Chiefly in Bengal: a theatrical entertainment or song recital staged during a religious festival.

a period of thirty years, or a festival recurring every thirty years.

In Burma (Myanmar): a performance, spectacle, or event staged for public entertainment, as a play, a drama, a dance, etc.; a festival that involves…

The begging of alms on St. Thomas's day (21 December). Also called corning, doling, or gooding.

ale brewed for the festival at Hocktide; the festival itself, at which collections were made for parochial purposes.

a celebration held on a festival of the Virgin Mary.

Originally: an annual festival celebrated in Munich in late September and early October (often with particular reference to the beer festival…

In Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland: a festival held on the third Saturday after the first Monday in August, to commemorate a visit by Mary, Queen of…

see club-walk n.

A Jewish festival held on the 33rd day of the Omer, traditionally regarded as celebrating the end of a plague in the 2nd cent. a.d.

= Moon Festival n. at moon, n.1 compounds 2.

An organized event at which a variety of beers are served; = beer festival n. at beer, n.1 additions.

A Japanese festival held annually on 7 July (that in Sendai, N. Honshu, being the most famous), in which the heavenly lovers Shokujo and Kengyū are…

(in China and Chinese communities elsewhere) a festival celebrated in mid-autumn on the fifteenth night of the eighth moon of the Chinese year…

An organized event at which a variety of beers are served; = beer festival n. at beer, n.1 additions. Cf. beerfest, n.

U.S. colloquial. An organized event dedicated to the eating of sausages.

Any of various ceremonies associated with possession by or propitiation of such spirits, esp. a variety of whirling dance. Frequently attributive.

In Haiti: an annual street festival coinciding broadly with Lent, during which processions are held and music is performed. Hence: the music…

In Trinidad (and later elsewhere): a masquerade, esp. one held as part of an annual carnival parade; carnival celebrations.

Among the Mbuti people: a religious festival or ritual marking an important occasion such as marriage, death, etc., and characterized by the singing…

A secular festival observed by many African Americans from 26 December to 1 January, as a celebration of family, community, and culture.