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A simple storybook illustration of a lively outdoor music festival. A performer is on a large stage, and a diverse crowd of tiny, colorful people are gathered below, cheering.

festival

fes-tee-VAHL

nounmA2
festival?large public celebration (music, film, culture)
Also:celebration?general term for a large public event,fair?often used for smaller, local festivals or fairs

📝 In Action

El festival de cine de San Sebastián es muy famoso.

B1

The San Sebastián film festival is very famous.

Este verano asistiremos al festival de música electrónica.

A2

This summer we will attend the electronic music festival.

Hubo un festival gastronómico con comida de todo el mundo.

B1

There was a food festival with cuisine from all over the world.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fiesta (party, celebration)
  • certamen (competition (often artistic))
  • feria (fair, market)

Common Collocations

  • festival de música – music festival
  • festival de cine – film festival
  • organizar un festival – to organize a festival

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'festival' ends in -al, it is always a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it (el festival, un festival).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Misusing Gender

Mistake: "Saying 'La festival' (The festival)."

Correction: The correct form is 'El festival' because the word is masculine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Easy Cognate

This word is a perfect cognate (it looks and means the same as the English word 'festival'), making it very easy to recognize and use immediately in Spanish.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: festival

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'festival'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

fiesta(party, celebration) - noun
festivo(festive; holiday (noun/adjective)) - adjective
festejar(to celebrate) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'festival' masculine or feminine?

'Festival' is always masculine. Remember to use 'el' or 'un' with it (e.g., 'El festival').

How is 'festival' different from 'fiesta'?

'Fiesta' is a more general term for any party or holiday, from a small birthday gathering to a public holiday. 'Festival' usually implies a larger, multi-day, organized public event focusing on arts, music, or culture.