Feast vs. Holiday — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
A feast is a large meal with a variety of foods, often celebrating a particular occasion, while a holiday is a day set aside by custom or law on which normal activities, especially business or work, are suspended or reduced.
Difference Between Feast and Holiday
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A feast is an event characterized by a lavish spread of food and drinks, usually in celebration of a particular occasion or festivity. It can be a part of a holiday but is not a day off in itself. Holidays, conversely, refer to specific days of observance where routine activities like work or school are typically halted, and may or may not involve feasting.
Feasts are about indulgence, often featuring an extensive and diverse array of food, aimed at celebrating abundance and togetherness. They are social events that can occur during holidays but are also held independently for events like weddings or anniversaries. Holidays, though they may include feasts, are more about the observance of the day itself, be it for religious, cultural, or national reasons.
When discussing feasts, the emphasis is on culinary experiences and social gathering. It’s a time when people prepare and enjoy special food, often in a communal setting. Holidays, while they can involve special meals, have a broader context that includes relaxation, commemoration, and traditions beyond just eating.
The nature of a feast is predominantly gastronomic and celebratory. A holiday's nature spans a broader spectrum, including relaxation, remembrance, and celebration of significant events. A holiday might not have a feast, but a feast can occur during a holiday.
Finally, while feasts are generally planned and executed by individuals or groups, holidays are designated by societies or governments. The word "feast" can also be used metaphorically to describe any enjoyable activity or experience, whereas "holiday" almost always refers to the specific days of observance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A large meal for celebration or enjoyment.
A day of exemption from work to celebrate or commemorate an event.
Occurrence
Can happen anytime, not fixed to a date.
Occurs on a specific date or period.
Primary Focus
Food and indulgence.
Observance and tradition.
Organized by
Individuals, families, or organizations.
Societies, governments, or religious institutions.
Nature
Gastronomic and social event.
Day of leisure, cultural or religious significance.
Compare with Definitions
Feast
A large elaborate meal often accompanied by a celebration.
The wedding feast lasted well into the night.
Holiday
A period of time for relaxation or travel.
They went to Hawaii for a two-week holiday.
Feast
An event marked by excessive eating and drinking.
The annual banquet was a true feast for the gourmands.
Holiday
A time when businesses are closed or suspended.
On Christmas, most businesses are closed for the holiday.
Feast
Something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment.
The art exhibition was a visual feast for the attendees.
Holiday
A day free from work that sometimes honors an event or tradition.
Independence Day is a national holiday in the United States.
Feast
A periodic religious or commemorative meal.
The feast of Passover is an important event in the Jewish calendar.
Holiday
An extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home.
They're planning a holiday in Europe next summer.
Feast
A large, elaborately prepared meal, usually for many persons and often accompanied by entertainment; a banquet.
Holiday
A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or tradition of cultural or religious significance.
Feast
A meal that is well prepared and abundantly enjoyed.
Holiday
An extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or in travelling.
I spent my summer holidays on a farm
Fred was on holiday in Spain
Feast
A periodic religious festival commemorating an event or honoring a god or saint.
Holiday
A short period during which the payment of instalments, tax, etc. may be suspended
A pension holiday
Feast
Something giving great pleasure or satisfaction
A book that is a veritable feast for the mind.
Holiday
Spend a holiday in a specified place
He is holidaying in Italy
Feast
To give a feast for; entertain or feed sumptuously
Feasted the guests on venison.
Holiday
A day free from work that one may spend at leisure, especially a day on which custom or the law dictates a halting of general business activity to commemorate or celebrate a particular event.
Feast
To partake of a feast; eat heartily.
Holiday
A religious feast day; a holy day.
Feast
To experience something with gratification or delight
Feasted on the view.
Holiday
Chiefly British A vacation. Often used in the phrase on holiday.
Feast
A very large meal, often of a ceremonial nature.
We had a feast to celebrate the harvest.
Holiday
To pass a holiday or vacation.
Feast
Something delightful
It was a feast for the eyes.
Holiday
A day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed.
Today is a Wiccan holiday!
Feast
A festival; a holy day or holiday; a solemn, or more commonly, a joyous, anniversary.
Holiday
A day declared free from work by the state or government.
Feast
(intransitive) To partake in a feast, or large meal.
I feasted on turkey and dumplings.
Holiday
A period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and often travel; often plural.
Feast
(intransitive) To dwell upon (something) with delight.
Holiday
A period during which pupils do not attend their school; often plural; rarely used for students at university (usually: vacation).
I want to take a French course this summer holiday.
Feast
(transitive) To hold a feast in honor of (someone).
We feasted them after the victory.
Holiday
(finance) A period during which, by agreement, the usual payments are not made.
A mortgage payment holiday
Feast
To serve as a feast for; to feed sumptuously.
Holiday
A gap in coverage, e.g. of paint on a surface, or sonar imagery.
Feast
A festival; a holiday; a solemn, or more commonly, a joyous, anniversary.
The seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Holiday
(intransitive) To take a period of time away from work or study.
Feast
A festive or joyous meal; a grand, ceremonious, or sumptuous entertainment, of which many guests partake; a banquet characterized by tempting variety and abundance of food.
Enough is as good as a feast.
Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand of his lords.
Holiday
To spend a period of time in recreational travel.
Feast
That which is partaken of, or shared in, with delight; something highly agreeable; entertainment.
The feast of reason, and the flow of soul.
Holiday
A consecrated day; religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See Holyday.
Feast
To eat sumptuously; to dine or sup on rich provisions, particularly in large companies, and on public festivals.
And his sons went and feasted in their houses.
Holiday
A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement and gayety; a festival day.
And young and old come forth to playOn a sunshine holiday.
Feast
To be highly gratified or delighted.
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast.
Holiday
A day fixed by law for suspension of business; a legal holiday.
Feast
To entertain with sumptuous provisions; to treat at the table bountifully; as, he was feasted by the king.
Holiday
Of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay.
Feast
To delight; to gratify; as, to feast the soul.
Feast your ears with the music a while.
Holiday
Occurring rarely; adapted for a special occasion.
Courage is but a holiday kind of virtue, to be seldom exercised.
Feast
A ceremonial dinner party for many people
Holiday
Leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure;
We get two weeks of vacation every summer
We took a short holiday in Puerto Rico
Feast
Something experienced with great delight;
A feast for the eyes
Holiday
A day on which work is suspended by law or custom;
No mail is delivered on federal holidays
It's a good thing that New Year's was a holiday because everyone had a hangover
Feast
A meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed;
A banquet for the graduating seniors
The Thanksgiving feast
They put out quite a spread
Holiday
Spend or take a vacation
Feast
An elaborate party (often outdoors)
Holiday
A day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.
The school was closed for a holiday.
Feast
Partake in a feast or banquet
Feast
Provide a feast or banquet for
Feast
Gratify;
Feed one's eyes on a gorgeous view
Common Curiosities
Are feasts always large gatherings?
While typically large, feasts can vary in size from intimate gatherings to grand parties.
Is every feast associated with a holiday?
No, a feast can be part of a holiday but can also be held for personal celebrations.
How is a feast planned?
A feast is planned according to the occasion, with special dishes and often decorations.
Can holidays occur without feasting?
Yes, some holidays are observed without feasting, focusing on other traditions or activities.
Are all national holidays accompanied by feasts?
Not all national holidays have associated feasts; some are commemorative with no traditional feasting.
Can the term "feast" be used metaphorically?
Yes, "feast" can describe any rich or abundant experience, not just related to food.
Can a feast be impromptu?
Yes, a feast can be impromptu, though they are often planned events.
Is a holiday a public or private event?
Holidays can be public, recognized nationwide, or private, like personal days off.
Are holidays legally recognized?
Many holidays are legally recognized and observed nationally or regionally.
Do all cultures celebrate feasts in the same way?
No, cultural traditions influence how feasts are celebrated.
Can holidays be moved or changed?
Some holidays are fixed, while others may vary annually or be officially moved.
Do holiday celebrations vary by country?
Yes, holiday celebrations can vary greatly by country and culture.
Do businesses close for a feast?
Businesses typically do not close for feasts unless they coincide with a holiday.
Are feasts tied to specific cuisines?
Feasts often feature traditional cuisines but can include a variety of foods.
What determines when a holiday is observed?
Holidays are determined by cultural, religious, or governmental decisions.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bunker vs. Silo
Next Comparison
Summer vs. WinterAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
