[2026] Tearjerker Songs That Bring the House Down at School Culture Festivals
The school cultural festival, held once a year, is always a fun event.
From exhibitions and food stalls to volunteer performances on stage, there are all kinds of activities.
Amid all that, music plays an important role.
Whether it’s band performances, singing, dance routines, background music at the venue, or a theme song, music adds color to every moment.
In this article, we’ll spotlight tear-jerking, deeply moving songs from among our recommended tracks for cultural and school festivals.
Be sure to check out this playlist of masterpieces that will bring back memories of school life and the bonds with friends—and might just move you to tears!
- An uplifting, moving song to liven up the school festival—one that will be etched into your memories.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Popular band songs that hype up cultural and school festivals & recommended latest hit songs
- Tear-jerking youth songs: recommended classics and popular tracks
- [Uplifting Songs] A curated selection of popular and latest tracks to energize your school cultural festivals!
- A friendship song that fires up the culture festival/school festival
- [Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival
- [For School Culture Festivals] A Selection of Hype Dance Tracks [2026]
- Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals
- Fun and exciting! Dance songs that hype up cultural and school festivals [2026]
- [March 2026] Trending Songs: A roundup of the hottest viral tracks right now
- [Culture and School Festival Songs] A curated selection of popular and hit songs to brighten up your venues and events!
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
[2026] Top 1–10 Emotional Tearjerker Songs That Hype Up at School Culture Festivals
Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddoman
An uplifting anthem that praises the dignity of those who support others, which gained popularity on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” Like soil—unassuming yet essential—it’s a warm song filled with gratitude for people who nurture others’ growth from behind the scenes.
Inspired by experiences that MOCA of BERRY GOODMAN gained as a high school baseball player and by the words of Seiryo High School baseball coach Tomoshige Yamashita, the piece was created with those ideas in mind.
Released in December 2024, it is included on the album “Thank You,” out in February 2025.
This song gently encourages those who keep striving out of the spotlight and those who feel conflicted about their roles, standing by their side and giving them a supportive push.
HumanWANIMA
WANIMA’s “Human” is a song that portrays people facing mistakes and challenges.
It sings about the journey of searching for one’s place and meaning in life, as if speaking directly to the hearts of students.
Released as a digital-only single in October 2017, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Keiji Yugami.” With WANIMA’s signature bright and powerful sound, it’s sure to fire up any school festival! Link arms with the friends you planned the event with and listen together—it’ll make for the best memories.
Wasted NightsONE OK ROCK
ONE OK ROCK’s moving rock ballad “Wasted Nights.” It’s an empowering song that rallies our hearts like a fanfare.
A piece that gives us courage in any situation, it’s sure to send a powerful cheer our way at every moment of school festivals and cultural festivals.
[2026] Tearjerker Songs That Bring Down the House at School Cultural Festivals (11–20)
About meMrs. GREEN APPLE
When creating a school festival or cultural festival, cooperation with your peers is essential, and you’ll likely clash at times due to differences in how you think.
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s “Boku no Koto” evokes the image of acknowledging those differences while moving toward a wonderful day.
From the self-addressing opening to the surge into a chorus brimming with emotion, the progression is striking, conveying a grand, horizon-expanding impression.
It’s a moving song that teaches us that happiness, suffering, and every experience we’ve been through are all precious.
We areONE OK ROCK
An empowering anthem that stands by the anxieties and struggles of young people, powerfully singing the importance of living true to yourself! Taka from ONE OK ROCK delivers an emotionally rich vocal performance, and the fusion with the emotive melody creates a soul-stirring sound that leaves a lasting impression.
Featured on the album “Ambitions” and released in January 2017, this track was chosen as NHK’s soccer theme song and deeply moved many viewers.
It’s a warm song that supports and encourages not only students in the midst of their youth, but also those who feel unable to face societal pressures and surrounding prejudice, and those on the verge of losing their sense of self.
A March for Youchesu maika
An uplifting anthem overflowing with the vibrant spirit of youth! Its positive message and emotionally resonant sound leave a strong impression.
It’s a warm song that gently supports those feeling lost or anxious, telling them, “It’s okay to move at your own pace.” Often performed on stages at school and cultural festivals, it’s cherished as a song that deepens bonds among friends and nurtures care for one another.
It will surely become a reliable ally for everyone striving to face forward and move ahead.
If you laugh at the skywacci
The song that wacci released digitally in July 2018 is a warm masterpiece depicting youth and friendship.
Its lyrics, centered on moments when hard work pays off and the bonds between friends, resonate deeply with listeners.
In particular, the phrase “Don’t cry, stand tall, lift your head and smile” gives you the courage to face hardships.
The track went viral on social media and drew widespread empathy.
It’s characterized by wacci’s signature warm melodies and delicate vocals.
It’s also perfect as a theme song for school festivals and culture festivals, and is recommended for times when you want to look back on memories with friends.