- gala, gay, festal, festive, merry - offering fun and gaiety; "a gala ball after the inauguration"; "a festive (or festal) occasion"; "gay and exciting night life"; "a merry evening"
Antonym: joyless (indirect, via joyous)
- gala, gala affair, jamboree, blowout - a gay festivity
--1 is a kind of celebration, festivity