Parties

A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature food and beverages, and generally conversation, music, dancing, or other forms of entertainment. Some parties take place in honor of a specific person, day, or event, such as a birthday party, a Super Bowl party, or a St. Patrick's Day party. Parties of this kind are often called celebrations. A party is not necessarily a private occasion. Public parties are sometimes held in parks, restaurants, pubs, beer gardens, nightclubs, or bars, and the host or the venue may charge people attending such parties an admission fee. Large parties in public streets may celebrate events such as (for example) Mardi Gras or the signing of a peace treaty ending a long war. Historically, English-speakers have also referred to certain social gatherings as "drums" or as "assemblies".