types:
party
an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment
fundraiser
a social function that is held for the purpose of raising money
photo op,
photo opportunity
an occasion that lends itself to (or is deliberately arranged for) taking photographs that provide favorable publicity for those who are photographed
sleepover
an occasion of spending a night away from home or having a guest spend the night in your home (especially as a party for children)
ceilidh
an informal social gathering at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing and folk dancing and story telling
dance
a party for social dancing
house party
a party lasting over one or more nights at a large house
funeral
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
dedication
a ceremony in which something (as a building) is dedicated to some goal or purpose
opening
a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
exercise
(usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches
fire walking
the ceremony of walking barefoot over hot stones or a bed of embers
Maundy
a public ceremony on Maundy Thursday when the monarch distributes Maundy money
potlatch
a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)