Bacchanalia vs. Saturnalia — What's the Difference?

The Bacchanalia were unofficial, privately funded popular Roman festivals of Bacchus, based on various ecstatic elements of the Greek Dionysia. They were almost certainly associated with Rome's native cult of Liber, and probably arrived in Rome itself around 200 BC. Like all mystery religions of the ancient world, very little is known of their rites.

Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike.

The ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus.

A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence; a period of unrestrained revelry.

Bacchanalia A riotous, boisterous, or drunken festivity; a revel.

The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.

Any wild, orgiastic party or celebration.

Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence.

A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus.

An orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn

Hence: A drunken feast; drunken revels; an orgy.

A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity

An orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)

A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity