'festival' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'festivālis', where the root 'fest-' came from 'festum' meaning 'feast' or 'holiday'.

'festival' changed from Late Latin 'festivālis' into Old French 'festival' and eventually entered modern English as 'festival' in the 16th century.

Initially, it meant 'pertaining to a feast or feast-day', but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'a public celebration or organized event'.