Spanish word

verbena

Pronunciation

IPA/beɾˈβena/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfestival

Example

Vamos a la verbena del pueblo esta noche.

We're going to the village festival tonight.

Illustration for verbena (festival)

More examples

En la verbena suenan bandas y se venden churros.

At the festival bands play and churros are sold.

Core concept

Evening street fair in a village or neighborhood with music and booths.

Common phrases

  • la verbena del pueblo

    the village festival

  • verbena de barrio

    neighborhood festival

  • verbena nocturna

    night festival

Similar words

fiesta: Lively celebration among family and friends featuring music, dancing, and socializing.
feria: Market-style fair of vendors and booths selling goods, crafts, and public attractions.
romería: Religious outdoor pilgrimage and procession to a shrine with communal worship.

Definition in Spanish

Reunión festiva e informal, habitualmente organizada por el pueblo o un barrio al aire libre, con puestos, música y baile.

Word origin

Derived from Latin verbena 'branches or garlands used in rites', the Spanish term links ceremonial garlands to communal outdoor festivities.

Usage tips

  • Verbena is often more local and spontaneous than the broader word fiesta, so expect street stalls, music, and late-night dancing rather than formal programming.

Other meanings

  • fairnoun
  • night festivalnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word