Green’s Dictionary of Slang

‘loud, fast, a kind of general utility word’ (F&H).

1874		‘English Sl.’ in Eve. Telegram (N.Y.) 9 Dec. 1/5: Let us present a few specimens:– [...] ‘My gay and festive cuss.’ (Artemus Ward).
1879		‘’Arry on Niggers’ in Punch 15 Mar. 113/2: He’s off with the 17th Lancers to kibosh the festive Zulu.
1908		K. McGaffey Sorrows of a Show Girl Ch. x: They just naturally decorated her with the festive bug and told her to take a whirl at vaudeville or something else real mean.
1924		C.J. Dennis ‘Nocturne’ in Rose of Spadgers 51: If you are flush in Spadgers, ’tain’t good form / To git too festive.
1934		O. Strange Sudden 9: ‘Don’t get festive with me, fella,’ he warned.