50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party
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Aug 04, 2026
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By Learn How To Be a DJ
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DJ Playlist Ideas
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4 min read
50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party
School discos are a memorable part of growing up. They give children the chance to socialise, dance, build confidence and enjoy music in a safe and exciting environment. Whether it is a primary school disco, end of term celebration, fundraising event or leavers’ party, choosing the right playlist is one of the most important parts of creating a successful event.
The 50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party playlist below has been carefully selected to appeal to children while also keeping teachers, parents and organisers happy. The focus is on well known, clean, upbeat songs that encourage participation, dancing and singalongs. The best school disco playlists combine modern chart hits with timeless classics that every generation recognises, creating an atmosphere where everyone can join in.
A typical school disco audience ranges from children aged around 5 to 11 years old, although many of these songs also work brilliantly for older pupils. Energy levels should gradually build throughout the event, mixing dance anthems, pop favourites, family friendly classics and novelty songs that get everyone involved.
When planning your playlist, avoid songs with explicit lyrics and choose radio edits where available. Include a variety of musical styles such as pop, disco, dance, funk, family movie soundtracks and feel good classics to keep the dancefloor full. Interactive songs with simple dance routines also help younger children feel confident joining in.
If you are looking for the 50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party, this collection provides a proven mix of favourites that have entertained generations of school children and continue to work at school discos across the UK. Whether you are a teacher, parent, PTA organiser or professional DJ, these songs provide an excellent foundation for a fun, energetic and memorable event.
50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party
| No. | Song | Artist | Original Release Year | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy | Pharrell Williams | 2013 | Pop |
| 2 | Can’t Stop the Feeling! | Justin Timberlake | 2016 | Pop |
| 3 | Shake It Off | Taylor Swift | 2014 | Pop |
| 4 | Roar | Katy Perry | 2013 | Pop |
| 5 | Firework | Katy Perry | 2010 | Pop |
| 6 | Walking on Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves | 1985 | Pop Rock |
| 7 | Celebration | Kool & The Gang | 1980 | Funk |
| 8 | YMCA | Village People | 1978 | Disco |
| 9 | Cha Cha Slide | DJ Casper | 2000 | Dance |
| 10 | Macarena | Los del Río | 1993 | Latin Pop |
| 11 | Cotton Eye Joe | Rednex | 1994 | Eurodance |
| 12 | We Like to Party! | Vengaboys | 1998 | Eurodance |
| 13 | Barbie Girl | Aqua | 1997 | Europop |
| 14 | Best Day of My Life | American Authors | 2013 | Pop Rock |
| 15 | Dance Monkey | Tones and I | 2019 | Pop |
| 16 | Dynamite | BTS | 2020 | Disco Pop |
| 17 | Levitating | Dua Lipa | 2020 | Disco Pop |
| 18 | Blinding Lights | The Weeknd | 2019 | Synth Pop |
| 19 | Cake by the Ocean | DNCE | 2015 | Pop Rock |
| 20 | Timber | Pitbull featuring Kesha | 2013 | Dance Pop |
| 21 | Party Rock Anthem | LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock | 2011 | Electro Pop |
| 22 | I Gotta Feeling | The Black Eyed Peas | 2009 | Dance Pop |
| 23 | Good Time | Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen | 2012 | Pop |
| 24 | Call Me Maybe | Carly Rae Jepsen | 2011 | Pop |
| 25 | What Makes You Beautiful | One Direction | 2011 | Pop |
| 26 | Hall of Fame | The Script featuring will.i.am | 2012 | Pop Rock |
| 27 | Brave | Sara Bareilles | 2013 | Pop |
| 28 | Count on Me | Bruno Mars | 2010 | Pop |
| 29 | Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars | 2014 | Funk Pop |
| 30 | Treasure | Bruno Mars | 2013 | Funk Pop |
| 31 | September | Earth, Wind & Fire | 1978 | Funk |
| 32 | I Want You Back | The Jackson 5 | 1969 | Soul |
| 33 | ABC | The Jackson 5 | 1970 | Soul |
| 34 | Don’t Stop Me Now | Queen | 1979 | Rock |
| 35 | Dancing Queen | ABBA | 1976 | Pop |
| 36 | Mamma Mia | ABBA | 1975 | Pop |
| 37 | Try Everything | Shakira | 2016 | Pop |
| 38 | You’ve Got a Friend in Me | Randy Newman | 1995 | Soundtrack |
| 39 | A Sky Full of Stars | Coldplay | 2014 | Pop Rock |
| 40 | On Top of the World | Imagine Dragons | 2012 | Pop Rock |
| 41 | The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Tokens | 1961 | Pop |
| 42 | Hakuna Matata | Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver & Joseph Williams | 1994 | Soundtrack |
| 43 | Better When I’m Dancin’ | Meghan Trainor | 2015 | Pop |
| 44 | Can’t Hold Us | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton | 2011 | Hip Hop |
| 45 | Dance the Night | Dua Lipa | 2023 | Disco Pop |
| 46 | Shake Senora | Harry Belafonte | 1957 | Calypso |
| 47 | Twist and Shout | The Beatles | 1963 | Rock and Roll |
| 48 | Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) | Shakira featuring Freshlyground | 2010 | World Pop |
| 49 | High Hopes | Panic! at the Disco | 2018 | Pop Rock |
| 50 | Happy Birthday | Stevie Wonder | 1981 | Soul |
Learn How to Become a DJ
If creating playlists like the 50 Best Songs to Play at a School Disco Party has inspired you to take DJing further, now is the perfect time to develop your skills. Learning to DJ is about much more than simply playing songs. It involves understanding music programming, reading a crowd, beatmatching, microphone techniques, equipment setup and creating unforgettable experiences for every audience.
Whether you want to DJ school events, birthday parties, weddings, corporate functions or nightclub events, having the right knowledge can help you progress much faster and avoid common beginner mistakes.
If you are ready to start your DJ journey, visit How to Become a DJ to discover practical advice, expert guidance and a comprehensive ebook designed to help beginners build confidence and become successful DJs.