Party vs. Fest: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 30, 2024
A party is a social gathering for celebration or enjoyment, whereas a fest (short for festival) is a large-scale event often with a specific theme, involving multiple activities over several days.
Key Differences
A party is a social gathering usually held to celebrate an event or for general enjoyment. Parties can vary in size and formality, ranging from small, intimate gatherings to large, lavish events. A fest, short for festival, is typically a larger event with a specific theme or focus, such as music, food, or cultural celebrations. Fests often span multiple days and involve various activities, performances, and attractions.
While parties are often private and organized by individuals for personal celebrations, fests are usually public events organized by communities, organizations, or businesses. A party might take place at someone's home or a rented venue, whereas a fest often occurs in public spaces like parks, streets, or large venues.
Parties usually focus on social interaction, entertainment, and enjoyment among guests, while fests emphasize a broader experience with diverse activities and attractions that draw larger crowds. A party is more about personal engagement, while a fest aims to create a communal experience.
The nature of participation also differs; guests are typically invited to parties, while fests are open to the public, with attendees often purchasing tickets. The scale, duration, and purpose distinguish a party from a fest, each offering unique experiences.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Social gathering for celebration/enjoyment
Large-scale themed event with multiple activities
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Size
Varies, often smaller
Typically larger, involving many people
Duration
Few hours
Often spans several days
Venue
Private homes, rented venues
Public spaces, large venues
Organization
Individuals, private groups
Communities, organizations, businesses
Focus
Social interaction, entertainment
Themed activities, performances, attractions
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Access
By invitation
Open to the public, ticketed
Examples
Birthday party, dinner party
Music fest, food fest, cultural festival
Party and Fest Definitions
Party
Event for socializing and enjoyment.
We had a great time at Sarah's birthday party.
Fest
Event with a specific theme, often public.
The music fest attracted fans from all over the country.
Party
Event marking a special occasion.
The office party celebrated the company's anniversary.
Fest
Public event with various attractions and activities.
The annual arts fest featured local artists and crafts.
Party
Formal event after a wedding or ceremony.
The wedding party was held at a beautiful venue.
Fest
Event with entertainment, rides, and games.
The summer fest included a carnival with fun rides.
Party
Slang for a large, lively party.
They threw a big Halloween bash this year.
Fest
Large-scale event celebrating a theme or culture.
The food fest showcased dishes from around the world.
Party
A social gathering especially for pleasure or amusement
A birthday party.
Fest
Large, elaborate festival or show.
The cultural fest was an extravaganza of music and dance.
Party
A group of people who have gathered to participate in an activity
A search party.
Fest
A gathering or occasion characterized by a specified activity. Often used in combination
A music fest.
A chilifest.
Party
A group of soldiers selected for a duty or mission
A raiding party.
Fest
(in combination) A gathering for a specified reason or occasion.
A Renaissance fest
Party
An established political group organized to promote and support its principles and candidates for public office.
Fest
(in combination) An event in which the act denoted by the previous noun occurs.
Party
A person or group involved in an enterprise; a participant or accessory
I refuse to be a party to your silly scheme.
Fest
The fist.
Party
(Law) A person or entity that participates in a transaction, makes a contract, or is involved in a lawsuit as a litigant.
Fest
A feast.
Party
A subscriber to a telephone party line.
Party
A person using a telephone.
Party
A person
"And though Grainger was a spry old party, such steps couldn't be his" (Anthony Hyde).
Party
Of, relating to, or participating in an established political organization
Party members.
Party politics.
Party
Suitable for use at a social gathering
Party dresses.
A party hat.
Party
Characteristic of a pleasurable social gathering
A party atmosphere.
Party
To celebrate or carouse at a party or similar gathering
That night we partied until dawn.
Party
(legal) A person or group of people constituting a particular side in a contract or legal action.
The contract requires that the party of the first part pay the fee.
Party
A person.
Party
A person; an individual.
He is a queer party.
Party
With to: an accessory, someone who takes part.
I can't possibly be a party to that kind of reckless behaviour.
Party
A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest etc.
Party
Active player characters organized into a single group.
Party
(video games) A group of characters controlled by the player.
Party
(politics) A political group considered as a formal whole, united under one specific political platform of issues and campaigning to take part in government.
The green party took 12% of the vote.
Party
(military) A discrete detachment of troops, especially for a particular purpose.
The settlers were attacked early next morning by a scouting party.
Party
A group of persons collected or gathered together for some particular purpose.
Party
A gathering of usually invited guests for entertainment, fun and socializing.
I'm throwing a huge party for my 21st birthday.
Party
A group of people traveling or attending an event together, or participating in the same activity.
We're expecting a large party from the London office.
Do you have a table available for a party of four?
Party
A gathering of acquaintances so that one of them may offer items for sale to the rest of them.
Tupperware party
Lingerie party
Party
A small group of birds or mammals.
Party
(obsolete) A part or division.
Party
(intransitive) To celebrate at a party, to have fun, to enjoy oneself.
We partied until the early hours.
Party
To take recreational drugs.
Party
(intransitive) To engage in flings, to have one-night stands, to sow one's wild oats.
Party
To form a party (with).
If you want to beat that monster, you should party with a healer.
Party
Of a fence or wall: shared by two properties and serving to divide them.
Party
Divided; in part.
Party
(heraldry) Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries.
An escutcheon party per pale
Party
A part or portion.
Party
A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy.
Win the noble Brutus to our party.
The peace both parties want is like to last.
Party
A part of a larger body of company; a detachment;
Party
A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party.
Party
One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract.
Party
The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant.
The cause of both parties shall come before the judges.
Party
Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another.
If the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony.
Party
Cause; side; interest.
Have you nothing saidUpon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?
Party
A person; as, he is a queer party.
Party
Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; as, an escutcheon party per pale.
Party
Partial; favoring one party; partisan.
I will be true judge, and not party.
Party
Partly.
Party
An organization to gain political power;
In 1992 Perot tried to organize a third party at the national level
Party
An occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment;
He planned a party to celebrate Bastille Day
Party
A band of people associated temporarily in some activity;
They organized a party to search for food
The company of cooks walked into the kitchen
Party
A group of people gathered together for pleasure;
She joined the party after dinner
Party
A person involved in legal proceedings;
The party of the first part
Party
Have or participate in a party;
The students were partying all night before the exam
Party
Informal meeting of friends or family.
We hosted a small dinner party last weekend.
FAQs
What types of events are considered fests?
Events like music festivals, food festivals, and cultural festivals are considered fests, involving numerous activities and attractions over several days.
What defines a party?
A party is a social gathering organized for celebration or enjoyment, typically involving food, drinks, and entertainment.
Can a party be part of a fest?
Yes, a party can be one of the events or activities within a larger fest.
Are fests always public events?
Yes, fests are typically public events, though some may have restricted access or require tickets.
Who usually organizes parties?
Individuals, friends, families, or private groups typically organize parties.
How is a fest different from a party?
A fest is a larger, often public event with a specific theme, spanning multiple days and featuring various activities and attractions, whereas a party is usually smaller and more intimate.
Where are fests usually held?
Fests are often held in public spaces such as parks, streets, or large venues that can accommodate many people.
Do parties always require an invitation?
Most parties are by invitation, but some parties, especially large ones, may be open to more people.
Can a fest last for only one day?
While fests often span multiple days, some can be single-day events.
What kind of activities are typical at a fest?
Activities at a fest can include live performances, food stalls, exhibitions, games, and workshops.
Can a party be themed?
Yes, parties often have themes, such as costume parties or holiday parties.
Who usually organizes fests?
Communities, organizations, businesses, or event planners typically organize fests.
Are tickets required for parties?
Typically, tickets are not required for private parties, but large public parties might sell tickets.
What is a common venue for a party?
Parties are commonly held at private homes, rented venues, or places like restaurants and clubs.
Do fests have themes?
Yes, fests generally have themes, like music, food, or cultural celebrations.
How formal are parties compared to fests?
Parties can range from casual to formal, while fests are usually more informal and festive.
What kind of activities are typical at a party?
Activities at a party may include dancing, games, socializing, eating, and drinking.
Can a small gathering be considered a fest?
Generally, fests are larger events, so a small gathering would typically not be considered a fest.
Is a wedding considered a party or a fest?
A wedding can be considered a party, especially the reception, although large-scale weddings can have fest-like qualities.
Are tickets required for fests?
Yes, many fests require tickets for entry, especially for access to certain activities or performances.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
