学園祭(がくえんさい)

がくえんさい
noun
school festival; campus festival
educationculture
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(がくえんさい)はいつですか。
When is the school festival?
学園祭(がくえんさい)で模擬店(もぎてん)を出(だ)すことになった。
We ended up running a stall at the school festival.
今年(ことし)の学園祭(がくえんさい)には有名(ゆうめい)なバンドが来(く)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(じっこういいんかい)) months in advance to organize the event. Activities include 模擬店(もぎてん) (food and game stalls), live music, plays, art exhibits, and academic presentations.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 文化祭(ぶんかさい): cultural festival — used mainly for junior high and high school events
  • 大学祭(だいがくさい): university festival — synonym, slightly more formal