Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[2026] Show off your vocal prowess! A roundup of recommended songs for the culture festival karaoke contest

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.

Among all the events at a school festival, the karaoke contest might be the one that gets everyone most excited.

Since we rarely get the chance to sing in front of a big crowd, it’s the perfect opportunity for those confident in their vocals to show off their singing skills.

In this article, we’ve put together a selection of songs that are perfect for performing at school festivals and campus karaoke competitions.

From high-difficulty picks recommended for powerhouse singers to crowd-pleasing hits guaranteed to hype up the venue, we’ve chosen a wide range.

Please select based on your vocal range, personality, and the image of the event.

We hope your stage becomes a wonderful, unforgettable memory.

[2026] Show Off Your Vocal Prowess! Recommended Songs for the School Culture Festival Karaoke Contest (61–70)

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it's embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

It’s a message song that feels like youth itself turned into music, resonating deeply with the heart.

It’s a track by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, released in July 2024.

Chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s drama “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita: Summer Vacation 2024.” Haruko Nagaya’s transparent, clear vocals beautifully capture the complex emotions of adolescence.

Because our time is finite, this work teaches us the importance of living fully in the present.

Highly recommended as a song to accompany time spent with friends at events like school festivals and culture festivals.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Zankyo SankaAimer

Aimer「Zankyosanka」MUSIC VIDEO（Demon Slayer:Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc Theme Song）

Zankyo SankaAimer

Singer-songwriter Aimer, known for her distinctive vocal timbre, has garnered widespread popularity.

Her falsetto has a strangely addictive quality, doesn’t it? Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Zankyo Sanka.

Used as the theme song for the smash-hit anime Demon Slayer, it’s crafted as a sharp, punchy pop track.

Because it makes frequent use of falsetto, it requires a fair bit of vocal skill.

If you can pull it off, it’ll really hype up a school festival—so definitely give it a try.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI is a unit loved by a wide range of people, from adults to children.

They helped spark the current boom in electronic pop music in Japan and have continued to thrive into 2023.

Their song Yoru ni Kakeru is one of their signature works.

It features a poppy, cute vibe while also conveying a sense of wistfulness through its melody and lyrics, and it became a mega-hit in Japan.

Of course, it’s also a song that will get everyone excited at a school culture festival, so be sure to check it out.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Mela!' Music Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Mela!

Mela!Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai is a four-member co-ed pop-rock band.

They’ve been active since the mid-2010s, but their surge in popularity since the 2020s has been remarkable, so many of you may already know them.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for a school festival karaoke contest is “Mela!” It features the bright, upbeat melodies they excel at, making it a perfect fit for a school festival where getting the crowd hyped is key.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

catDISH//

DISH// – Cat [Official Live Video 2019]

catDISH//

This is a gentle, lyrical song that symbolizes the bittersweet feelings for someone you’ve parted ways with through an elusive cat.

Written and composed by Aimyon, and brought to life by DISH//’s expressive performance, it has become a masterpiece that leaves a deep resonance.

The song was used as an insert song in TV Tokyo’s Drama 25 “Neko,” which aired from October 2020, and was included on the album “X” released in February 2021.

Wrapped in a tender acoustic sound, this track is perfect for showcasing your vocal skills at a karaoke contest.

Try expressing both the ache and the warmth with a richly nuanced, dynamic vocal delivery.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

contrailMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Vapor Trail (Yumi Arai The Concert with Old Friends)

contrailMatsutōya Yumi

It’s a song with a moving vocal performance and deep emotion.

Composed by Yumi Matsutoya, it was also chosen as the theme song for the Studio Ghibli film The Wind Rises.

It delicately expresses feelings for lives lost and the value of continuing to pursue one’s dreams.

The purity of childhood and a longing for freedom are sung over a beautiful melody, leaving a profound impression on listeners.

I believe it’s a masterpiece that truly showcases vocal ability, so please sing it with heartfelt emotion.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

We introduced songs whose rich expressiveness shines—perfect for turning up the heat at your school festival’s karaoke event. It takes courage to tackle difficult songs in a karaoke contest, but that very challenge can paint unforgettable scenes that move the audience deeply. The days you spend practicing with friends will surely become a radiant, irreplaceable moment of youth. With your one-and-only voice, create a special space that will linger in everyone’s hearts.