Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[Culture and School Festival Songs] A curated selection of popular and hit songs to brighten up your venues and events!

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Among the many events in school life, the culture festival is one of the most memorable!

At culture festivals, there are countless moments where music plays a crucial role—whether it’s background music at the venue, songs for band performances, or tracks for dance numbers.

In this article, we’ll introduce songs that are guaranteed to hype up the culture festival, aimed at those running the event as committee members and those performing on stage.

With these picks, your festival production is sure to shine!

If you’re in the middle of choosing songs, be sure to use this as a reference.

[Culture Festival & School Festival Songs] Carefully selected popular and hit songs that brighten up venues and events! (111–120)

Dried flowersYuuri

Yuuri – Dry Flower / THE FIRST TAKE

Dried flowersYuuri

Yuri’s song “Dry Flower” is a ballad that’s neither too intense nor too quiet, so how about playing it as BGM for your venue or event? It’s also a captivating track featuring the powerful vocals you’d expect from Yuri, a singer-songwriter with a rock band background, making it perfect for events like singing contests.

It went viral after performance videos were posted on social media and YouTube, so many people are likely to know it.

Definitely consider selecting it as one of the songs to play at your school festival!

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peace signYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Peace Sign

peace signYonezu Kenshi

If you’re entering a karaoke contest, how about Kenshi Yonezu’s “Peace Sign”? It calls for soaring high notes in the chorus, making it feel great to sing, and if you pull it off well, it’s a song that can earn you high scores.

Produced in 2017 as the opening theme for the Yomiuri TV network anime My Hero Academia, it reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts.

With the driving power you’d expect from an anime opening, “Peace Sign” is a perfect fit not only for karaoke but for just about any occasion!

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Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Summer Time Cinderella' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Summer Time Cinderella

Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai

A pleasant number that portrays a sweet-and-sour summer romance.

Haruko Nagaya’s clear, transparent vocals from Ryokuoushoku Shakai beautifully capture both fluttering excitement and poignant longing.

Released digitally in August 2023, this song was written as the theme for Fuji TV’s drama “Midsummer Cinderella.” A love story that begins with a chance encounter is sure to resonate with listeners.

It’s a perfect track to sing on a school festival stage.

Savor this magical song that colors a glittering page of youth.

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catDISH//

DISH// (Takumi Kitamura) – Neko / THE FIRST TAKE

catDISH//

The bittersweet, tear-jerking love song “Neko,” which catapulted DISH// to fame.

This track, a long-running hit as a breakup song from a male perspective, was included as the coupling song on their 10th single “We Did It,” released in 2017.

Lyrics and composition are by Aimyon.

It’s a song that even women will cry to, conveying the pain and emotions of heartbreak vividly.

Thanks to its popularity and sing-along ease, it’s also perfect as background music for school cultural festivals.

It’s a song that slips right into your ears.

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Teenage SunsetHump Back

Hump Back – “Teenage Sunset” Music Video

Teenage SunsetHump Back

If you’re looking for a song to perform live, how about this one? It’s a track by Hump Back, a three-piece girl band from Higashi-Osaka in Osaka.

It was released in 2020 as their third single.

The energetic guitar sound and the powerful vocals of Momoko Hayashi are an irresistible combination.

The lyrics are also perfect for students who take center stage at school festivals and cultural festivals.

The difficulty level for covering it is fairly low, so it’s recommended even for bands made up of beginner musicians.

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BONNumber_i

Number_i – BON (Official Music Video)

BONNumber_i

The track produced by Sho Hirano is characterized by a bold approach that fuses traditional Japanese elements with hip-hop.

Its bonsai-themed lyrics harmonize Japan’s classical beauty with a vibrant contemporary rhythm, drawing attention both in Japan and abroad.

The song is included on the mini-album “No.O -ring-,” released in May 2024.

The combination of traditional Japanese instruments and modern beats is captivating, and the choreography has also become a hot topic on social media.

It’s recommended for anyone looking to deliver a distinctive performance at a school festival.

If you’re interested in the fusion of Japanese tradition and contemporary music, be sure to check it out.

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grinShingāzuhai

Singers High 'Nitari' Music Video

grinShingāzuhai

This number from Singer’s High is a catchy track themed around love and restraint.

Its high-tone vocals and groovy rhythm are distinctive, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released just in January 2024, it perfectly fits the current mood! Perform it on a school festival stage, and it’s sure to stir the hearts of your peers.

Many will likely relate to the realistic lyrics.

Why not enjoy a performance that showcases each member’s individuality, while holding onto the memories of Enoshima—the place that inspired the band’s formation? It’s bound to become a wonderful song that colors a page of your youth!

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