[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.
- 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!
- [2026] Friendship Songs to Hype Up Your School’s Cultural Festival
- [Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [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]
- [April 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] Emotionally Stirring and Tearjerker Songs That Hype Up Cultural and School Festivals (21–30)
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.
Blue BenchSasuke
The debut single of Sasuke, a male duo that got their start with street performances.
Despite being indie at the time, their popularity rose rapidly through word of mouth, and they became known nationwide.
As a bittersweet breakup song, it gained support especially among younger listeners, became a staple for middle and high school chorus competitions, and was even included in music textbooks in 2008.
In 2011, it was covered by Tegomass, the vocal duo of Yuya Tegoshi and Takahisa Masuda from Johnny’s, right? If you’re a student thinking about performing at a school festival, doing a cover of Sasuke’s “Aoi Bench” would be a great idea.
MiracleGReeeeN
School festivals and sports days where everyone gathers, spends time preparing, and goes all out on the day—this is the essence of youth, isn’t it? Listening to this song with your friends at the end of it all will truly bring you to tears.
It’s a signature track by the popular music group GReeeeN, released in 2008.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama ROOKIES, which centers on a high school baseball team, it gained passionate support from baseball fans.
Its straightforward lyrics will add even more color to your wonderful memories.
wishsumika
Sumika is a popular band with many tie-ins, from commercials and TV dramas to anime.
Their pop songs are all moving, turning everyday life into something more dramatic.
Their 2019 release Negai is one such track, with lyrics carried by a warm, appealing vocal delivery.
At school cultural festivals and campus festivals, its beautiful melody will gently reach your heart, making the culmination of time spent with dear friends feel even more emotional.
I long to see you now.MISIA
How about a heartrending, tear-jerking love ballad that resonates in your heart? This is one of the signature songs by MISIA, a female singer from Nagasaki Prefecture.
It was released in 2009 as her 23rd single.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “JIN,” it became a hot topic.
Her beautiful, soaring vocals and the grand sound arrangement are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
It’s perfect as background music for moving moments at school festivals and cultural festivals.
It might also be great to belt out live on stage.
Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
This is the 21st track, released as the final single by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, also known by their nickname “Fanmon.” It made headlines because Sanma Akashiya appears on the cover! Apparently, when Fanmon appeared as guests on Sanma’s show “Sanma no Manma,” he expressed his desire to be on the jacket, and that wish was granted.
At school festivals, there are often moments to thank teachers and upperclassmen—why not play “Arigatou” as background music to express your gratitude?
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa affectionately known as Monpachi.
Although it was not released as a single, it’s included on the album “MESSAGE” and can truly be called one of their signature masterpieces.
It’s famous for being used as a soundtrack in TV dramas and commercials, and for being covered by many different artists.
Its straightforward message and unadorned vocals really hit home.
It’s perfect for cultural festivals—cover it with your band or play it as background music to get everyone excited!