[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] Tearjerker and Uplifting Songs That Bring the House Down at School Culture Festivals (41–50)
secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE
A poignant song themed around farewells in youth.
Its lyrics, depicting a parting with friends at summer’s end, resonate with many and often move listeners to tears.
Released in August 2001, the track was also chosen as the theme song for a TBS drama, which quickly boosted its recognition.
The melody, grounded in an acoustic sound, and the members’ clear, translucent vocals beautifully portray the bittersweet scene of parting.
Reflecting on memories with friends while speaking of hope for the future, the lyrics are perfect for cultural festivals and school festival scenes.
When you want to reaffirm the bonds with your friends, give it a listen.
I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci
A masterpiece that spread from YouTube comments and social media: wacci’s “I Became Someone Else’s Girlfriend.” Just listening to it makes your heart ache, doesn’t it? The vivid, lifelike imagery is beautiful, and I’m sure there are people who fall in love while making all kinds of memories through middle school, high school, and college.
When you hear it on stage at a school festival, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with feelings and unable to stop the tears.
Love is difficult precisely because there’s no single right answer.
All the days we spent together are something we want to cherish, aren’t they?
NonfictionHirai Ken
This one opens with an impressive string phrase.
It’s a song by singer-songwriter Ken Hirai, who has produced numerous hits like “Hitomi wo Tojite.” Released in 2017 as his 42nd single, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Little Giants.” The lyrics simply express a longing to see you and to know you.
They have depth and make you think.
With a tone that suits dusk, it’s the kind of song you might want to play at the end of a school festival.
It might even bring you to tears as you remember the tough yet fun preparation and the main event itself.
JupiterHirahara Ayaka
Many people surely find their tear ducts loosening at Ayaka Hirahara’s singing voice.
Her song “Jupiter” was released in 2003 as her debut single.
It quickly became a sensation right from her debut, spreading across generations and becoming a beloved piece.
The song sets lyrics to the fourth movement, “Jupiter,” from the orchestral suite The Planets, making it a familiar tune many have heard as classical music.
It’s a track that resonates especially deeply with those who are feeling lonely.
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi
Among the many songs by the hugely popular singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, “Metronome” is especially known for bringing listeners to tears.
Its lyrics, which compare a troubled relationship between a man and a woman to two metronomes, are heartbreakingly poignant and have moved many to cry.
As the title suggests, the sound of a metronome is woven throughout the track, which is an impressive touch.
It’s a song that would not only shine in karaoke at school culture festivals, but would also sound cool as a band cover.
366 daysHY
As a love song and a tearjerker, I imagine many people would name it.
HY’s “366 Days,” released in 2008, is a classic love song that has been cherished for a long time across generations.
It’s been used in commercials, and many artists have covered it.
Especially for those going through a painful romance or a breakup, just listening can bring on tears—some might even end up sobbing.
Even if you’re not in the midst of a heartbreaking love, it’s a moving song that will tug at your heartstrings.
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki
Makihara Noriyuki’s signature song and a classic cheer-up anthem, “Donna Toki mo.” Released as a single in 1991, it also served as a movie theme song at the time.
More than 30 years later, it remains beloved by many.
You’ve probably heard it in commercials or on TV, right? It’s a familiar tune—one I hope you’ll listen to while reading the lyrics carefully at least once.
It’s a moving, heartfelt number that gives courage and strength to people of any generation.