1.
school festival; campus festival
An annual event held at universities and some high schools where students organize food stalls, performances, exhibitions, and other activities. Open to the public, it is a major social and cultural event in Japanese academic life.
学園祭はいつですか。
When is the school festival?
学園祭で模擬店を出すことになった。
We ended up running a stall at the school festival.
今年の学園祭には有名なバンドが来るらしい。
Apparently a famous band is coming to this year's campus festival.
Typically held in autumn (October–November) at Japanese universities, lasting two to three days. Students form committees (実行委員会) months in advance to organize the event. Activities include 模擬店 (food and game stalls), live music, plays, art exhibits, and academic presentations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 学園祭の準備: festival preparations
- 学園祭で模擬店を出す: to run a stall at the festival
- 学園祭実行委員: festival organizing committee member
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 文化祭: cultural festival — used mainly for junior high and high school events
- 大学祭: university festival — synonym, slightly more formal