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!

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

Last updated:2025/9/18

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 to Brighten Up Venues and Events! (1–10)

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – StaRt

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

A captivating track featuring an up-tempo, high-energy pop-rock sound and a powerful message that encourages taking a bold new step.

Released from the major debut mini-album “Variety” in July 2015, this song was featured in a Kao Merit commercial and used as the theme for Fuji TV’s “Cho Hamarru! Bakusho Character Parade,” significantly boosting Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s recognition.

The vocals, expressing a hopeful and positive spirit, blend beautifully with the light, breezy melody.

Perfect for kicking off a school festival or as background music to cheer on club activities! Listen to this song at the moment you and your friends begin a new challenge, and it will surely fill you with courage.

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Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video

Dear, boyHump Back

It’s a powerful cheer song that resonates in the hearts of those on the verge of giving up on their dreams.

With warm, tender vocals that embrace the struggle to push forward through the anxieties and setbacks of youth, and a driving rock sound full of momentum, the track has captured the hearts of many listeners.

Released in June 2018 as Hump Back’s major-label debut single, it reached No.

13 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

With its easy-to-sing melody and lyrics that cut straight to the heart, it’s sure to unite the entire school festival venue in excitement!

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Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

One of the signature songs by the rock band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, hugely popular among younger generations, is Aoto Natsu (Blue and Summer).

Its refreshing, youthful vibe feels incredibly pleasant and is a perfect choice to perform at school or cultural festivals! It’s so fitting for youth that you might think there isn’t a better song for it.

As a signature track from a popular band, it’s well-known and sure to hype up the crowd.

Each part is fairly challenging, but it’s definitely a song worth taking on.

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flash[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Flash (MV) Theme Song of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash

flash[Alexandros]

A soul-stirring rock number by [Alexandros] that powerfully conveys the resolve to overcome past pain and fear and step into a new world.

The emotional journey from a pure-hearted youth to adulthood, and the protagonist’s struggle to keep looking forward despite uncertainty, resonate deeply.

Released in May 2021 as their 19th single, it was chosen as the theme song for the feature animation Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway.

Perfect for band performances or dance routines, it’s sure to fire up any school or cultural festival!

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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

This is a song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, produced as the theme for ABEMA’s romance show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita: Summer Vacation 2024.” It beautifully captures both the splendor of throwing yourself wholeheartedly into something and the emotions of young people swayed by the eyes around them.

The uptempo sound and Haruko Nagaya’s powerful vocals vividly color the song’s straightforward feelings.

In the music video released in July 2024, the band performs with a 40-piece orchestra, expressing a page of youth on a grand scale.

It’s a recommended track for those who resonate with all-out passion and sincerity, and for anyone who finds happiness in irreplaceable moments of youth.

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I wonderDa-iCE

Da-iCE /「I wonder」Performance Video

I wonderDa-iCE

This Da-iCE track is a gem created as the theme song for a TV drama.

It features an emotionally rich, dramatic melody and centers on themes of love and self-discovery.

The lyrics were co-written by Sota Hanamura and Taiki Kudo, resulting in a piece that reflects the strong bond and creative synergy among the members.

Released in April 2024, it was selected as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Kururi: Who Fell in Love with Me?”.

With a focus on finding new discoveries and moments of inspiration in everyday life, it’s recommended for anyone looking for a positive boost.

It’s sure to be a hit as background music for a school festival or as a performance piece on stage.

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Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” Short Ver.

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

It’s an ultra-danceable rock tune by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, known for their high-tone vocals and technical playing.

It also works great as background music, but performing it can be quite a challenge.

That said, if you really master it, it’s a song that will set you decisively apart from everyone else.

Why not take the plunge and perform it at your school festival?

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