Make Music Connecticut
Make Music Day returned to Connecticut on Tuesday, June 21st, 2022!
Across the state, musicians of every kind took to streets, parks, plazas, and porches, from the Long Island Sound to the hills in the North.
Connecticut’s fifth annual Make Music Day featured 465 free musical performances across the state, from the Long Island Sound to the hills in the North.
In 2022, thirteen regional chapters, brought together by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, coordinated a diverse day of music-making statewide, open to all.
Click on the links below to learn more about a Make Music Connecticut celebration near you!
Danbury
Fairfield
Hartford
Hebron
Middletown
New Haven
Northwest CT
Norwalk
Ridgefield
Southeastern CT
Stamford
Stratford
Waterbury
Make Music Connecticut is proudly presented by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, as part of its mission to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and access to the arts throughout the state.
Charles Ives. Horace Silver. Michael Bolton. Tune-Yards. You.
Make Music Connecticut offers all native and newcomer residents of the Constitution State the opportunity to add a chorus to the rich musical history of Connecticut. On June 21, Connecticuters will celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, with song.
We invite artists of all ages and genres, amateur and professional alike, to sign up to perform free concerts on June 21 in public spaces throughout the state. Everyone is welcome, and we mean everyone — even if you’ve never touched an instrument before, our thirteen regional organizers will have free music lessons and special hands-on music making opportunities just for you. And if you have a location to offer — a storefront, park, porch, or sidewalk — we invite you to sign up to host musicians on June 21. Just click on your local celebration to get started!
(Outside of these thirteen regions but still want to host an event? Email us at matt@makemusicday.org.)
- Make Music City of the Week: Hartford - Make Music Day resounds across the Constitution State on June 21! Ten regional chapters, coordinated by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, are organizing Make Music Connecticut events in cities large and small. In the state capital, planning for Make Music Hartford is well underway, with music for every taste: Kirtan concerts to kazoos, Brazilian […]
Press Release: “World’s Largest Annual Music Event Makes Connecticut Debut on June 21,” March 12, 2018
“PHOTOS: Make Music Day in Meriden,” by Dave Zajac, Record Journal, June 23, 2022
“Yale Alumni Q&A: Marina Belica ’81 and Julie Flanders ’81,” by E.J. Crawford, Yale Alumni, June 21, 2022
“Local artists wanted for ‘Make Music Day’ in Meriden,” by Mary Ellen Godin, Record-Journal, June 20, 2022
“8 things to know this week in Meriden, Wallingford, Southington, Cheshire,” Record Journal, June 19, 2022
“The Town of Woodbridge is again participating in Make Music Day on June 21!,” Woodbridge Town News, May 26, 2022
“30 free things to do in Connecticut this summer,” by Joseph Tucci, CT Insider, June 17, 2022
“Torrington joins Make Music Day with live performances,” by Emily M. Olson, The Register Citizen, June 22, 2022
“Make Music Day features live music and dance, June 21,” The Register Citizen, June 10, 2022
“Fairfield Hosts 5th Annual ‘Make Music Day’,” by Alfred Branch, Patch Connecticut, June 6, 2022
“Episode 9: This Week in the City, Make Music Day,” City of Danbury, June 27, 2022
“‘Make Music Danbury’ is a Citywide Event That Will Transform Every Porch + Deck Into a Stage This Summer,” by Lou Milano, i95 Rock, March 18, 2022
“Center of Hebron filled with song on Make Music Day,” by Melanie Savage, Hartford Courant, June 22, 2022
“‘We are New London, and we are on the map’,” (Editorial) The Day, June 25, 2022
“Make Music Day serenades southeastern Connecticut,” by Dana Jensen, The Day, June 21, 2022
“And the Band(s) Played on—Making Music on Lyme Street to Celebrate Midsummer,” by Olwen Logan, Lyme Line, June 22, 2022
“Happy Midsummer’s Day! Old Lyme Celebrates Summer Solstice with ‘Make Music Day,’ This Evening,” Lyme Line, June 21, 2022
“The region erupts in song Tuesday on Make Music Day,” by Rich Koster, The Day, June 15, 2022
“Library Notes: Changing focus as we welcome summer,” by Jill Adams, The Day, May 23, 2022
“Not just for fun, music has a philanthropic side,” by John Leahy, The Day, May 16, 2022
“In photos: Music fills the streets of Danbury, Ridgefield for Make Music Day with outdoor performances,” by H John Voorhees III, Newstimes, June 21, 2022
“Celebrate Make Music Day in Ridgefield on the First Official Day of Summer!,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, June 21, 2022
“Rock your Father’s Day in Ballard Park!,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, June 19, 2022
“Ridgefield Music And Art On Display,” by Michael Lemanski, Patch Connecticut, June 14, 2022
“Ridgefield Library Sets Events For ‘Make Music Day’,” by Rich Kirby, Patch Ridgefield, June 6, 2022
“Ridgefield Arts Watch: Here are the events to look forward to in June,” by Raje Kaur, The Ridgefield Press, June 2, 2022
“Community news: Ridgefield student wins Scrabble competition, and more,” The Ridgefield Press, May 18, 2022
“Make Music Day celebrated in Waterbury,” by Raquel Williamson, Republican-American, June 21, 2022
“Arts Alliance of Stratford gears up for Make Music Day Tuesday,” News 12, June 17, 2022
“Downtown Stamford’s Make Music Day Returns on June 21, 2022!,” Fairfield After Dark, June 20, 2022
“The Dish: Celtics owner dines; Ali Wentworth signs books; Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels advises grads,” by Susie Costaregni, Greenwich Time, June 18, 2022
“Musicians, audiences invited to Middletown Make Music Day June 21,” Middletown Press, May 10, 2022
“Make Music Day Celebrated in West Hartford,” by Baylee Krulewitz, We-Ha.com, June 23, 2022
“Kicking off the summer with 10 music festivals throughout Connecticut this weekend,” by Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, June 21, 2022
“Make Music Day is June 21. Here’s where you can find the free CT concerts.,” by Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, June 11, 2022
“MUSIC Break into tunes on Make Music Day,” Journal Inquirer, June 16, 2022
“Windsor Locks to participate in International Make Music Day,” by Collin Atwood, Journal Inquirer, June 7, 2022
“A summer full of festivals, concerts, films, exercise classes at the Hartford waterfront,” by Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, May 25, 2022
“Free events mark Make Music Day in CT communities,” Bronx News 12, June 21, 2021
“Make Music Day returns with live performances across the state,” by TinaMarie Craven, Connecticut Post, June 16, 2021
“Fairfield Musicians ‘Bring Joy To Others’ With Make Music Day,” by Jarret Liotta, Fairfield Patch, June 22, 2021
“Fairfield welcomes local musicians at Make Music Day celebration,” Fairfield Citizen, June 21, 2021
“Make Music Day Returns To Fairfield Next Week,” by Anna Bybee-Schier, Fairfield Patch, June 16, 2021
“Community news: Dogs allowed off leash again and more,” Fairfield Citizen, May 13, 2021
“Listen to music in Windsor Locks,” by Joe Chaisson, Journal Inquirer, June 21, 2021
“Music: Manchester Symphony plays on this summer,” Journal Inquirer, June 3, 2021
“Hartford Is America’s Best City for Artists, New Rankings Reveal,” Connecticut By The Numbers, May 23, 2021
“After COVID Hiatus, Greater Hartford Festival Of Jazz Returns This Summer,” by Ray Hardman, WNPR, May 20, 2021
“Community News For The Hebron Edition,” Hartford Courant, June 11, 2021
“Hebron seeks musicians for ‘Make Music Day’,” The Chronicle, May 5, 2021
“Make Music Hebron plans to once again bring music to Main Street,” by Melanie Savage, Hartford Courant, April 27, 2021
“Guilford’s Whitfield House presents Make Music Day’ eve concert,” Middletown Press, June 16, 2021
“Calendar: Stuff to do on the shoreline,” Middletown Press, June 7, 2021
“Middletown’s Buttonwood Tree announces programs, events for June,” Middletown Press, June 2, 2021
“Make Music Day Adds Spice To Bear’s,” by Brian Slattery, New Haven Independent, June 22, 2021
“Woodbridge Participates In Make Music Day,” Patch Bethwood, May 27, 2021
““Arts On Call” Parties In Hamden,” by Karen Ponzio, New Haven Independent, May 24, 2021
“Make Music Day celebrates musicians and their art worldwide,” by Em Farnsworth, Journal Inquirer, June 17, 2021
“Community News For The Windham Edition,” Hartford Courant, June 11, 2021
“Performers announced for Make Music Day on June 21,” by Shaw Israel Izikson, Winstead Phoenix, June 2, 2021
“Make Music Day launches Ridgefield’s first Summer of Song,” by Alyssa Seidman, Ridgefield Press, June 22, 2021
“Make Music Day Ridgefield Tomorrow,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, June 20, 2021
“Make Music Day at The Aldrich: WCYO Performs in Sculpture Garden and on Front Porch!,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, June 18, 2021
“Gong and Drum Circle at Make Music Ridgefield,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, June 10, 2021
“Ridgefield Arts Council Make Music Day Adds “Paint the Music” to Lineup of Events, Local Art Organizations Collaborate,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, May 29, 2021
“Calling All Ridgefield Musicians and Performers! Make Music Celebration is June 21!,” Ridgefield’s Hamlethub, May 11, 2021
“‘Music is the key to happiness’: Make Music Day brings joy back to Norwich,” by Matt Grahn, The Bulletin, June 22, 2021
“Region celebrates Make Music Day,” by Sarah Gordon, The Day, June 21, 2021
“Make Music Day hosts dozens of performances Monday,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 18, 2021
“Make Music Day registration continues through Monday, by Rick Koster, The Day, June 4, 2021
“Waterford Library Notes: ‘Tails and Tales’ says it all this summer for reading programs,” by Jill Adams, The Day, May 24, 2021
“Make Music Day Stamford Downtown June 21 – Calling All Musicians!,” StamfordPlus, June 2, 2021
“Make Music Day Stamford Downtown Returns June 21,” by Richard Kaufman, Patch Stamford, May 27, 2021
“Make Music Day – Stratford,” by Jim Taylor, Patch Milford, June 12, 2021
“Waterbury kicks off summer season with International Make Music Day celebrations,” by La Salle Blanks, WTNH, June 21, 2021
“CT Music: Little Big Town latest ensemble heading to Bridgeport venue,” by Kellie Lambert, Republican American, June 9, 2021
“Kiwanis Club of Greater Danbury is Instrumental in Children’s Lives on Make Music Day,” Danbury’s Hamelthub, June 15, 2020
“Make Music Fairfield Free,” Patch.com, June 4, 2020
“Make Music Hartford, Hartford’s annual celebration of music, will connect community online this year,” by Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, May 28, 2020
“Community News: Make Music Day,” Hartford Courant, June 15, 2020
“Musicians sought for Hebron event,” by Michelle France, Journal Inquirer, June 10, 2020
“Make Music Hebron Day Is Coming–With A Twist Courtesy Of COVID,” by Melanie Savage, Hartford Courant, June 8, 2020
“Make Music Middletown goes VIRTUAL,” by Bill Maune, Patch Middletown, June 19, 2020
“Make Music Day 2020,” CT Post, June 21, 2020
“Celebrate Make Music Day 2020,” by Margaux Farrell, Fox 61 TV, June 21, 2020
“Local performers take to the rooftops for Make Music Day,” by Cady Stanton, Winsted Phoenix, June 21, 2020
“Torrington: Make Music NWCT to Return,” Voices News, June 18, 2020
“Make Music Day returns to NW CT June 21,” New Haven Register, June 9, 2020
“Arts In The Time Of Pandemic,” by CB Wismar, MainStreet Magazine, June 3, 2020
“Make Music Day to return June 21,” by Shaw Israel Izikson, Winstead Phoenix, June 3, 2020
“Performers invited to join Make Music Day 2020,” CT Post, May 20, 2020
“Community announcements May 15,” by Shaw Israel Izikson, Winstead Phoenix, May 15, 2020
“Norwalk’s Virtual Make Music Day,” Norwalk Hamelethub, June 17, 2020
“Make Music Day 2020 Goes Virtual!,” Norwalk Now, June 8, 2020
“Library participates in Make Music Day,” The Ridgefield Press, June 17, 2020
“Zoom into new virtual programs and workshops,” The Ridgefield Press, June 15, 2020
“The music goes on for Make Music Day,” The Ridgefield Press, June 12, 2020
“Make Music Ridgefield Is Revving Up for Live and Virtual Performances on June 21,” Ridgefield Hamlethub, June 8, 2020
“Make Music Day features window serenades,” The Ridgefield Press, June 2, 2020
“Make Music Day Ridgefield returns,” The Ridgefield Press, May 26, 2020
“Community News: WCSU students earn fellowships, other Danbury area highlights,” Newstimes, May 25, 2020
“Ridgefield is Home to Drive In Movies Thanks to Billy Craig!,” Ridgefield Hamlethub, May 25, 2020
“Celebrate Make Music Day online with performances from local musicians,” WTNH News 8, June 20, 2020
“Make Music Day to be held virtually,” The Bulletin, June 17, 2020
“Make Music Day Returns To Downtown Stamford,” by RJ Scofield, Patch Stamford, June 17, 2020
“Stamford Downtown cancels Alive@Five, Wednesday Nite Live series,” Stamford Advocate, May 21, 2020
“COVID-19 concerns can’t stop the music,” by Michael Chaiken, Republican-American, June 17, 2020
“Hundreds of events happening around the state for “Make Music Day”,” Fox 61, June 21, 2019
“50 things to do this weekend, June 21, 22 and 23,” by Linda Tuccio-Koonz and Andrew DaRossa, Connecticut Post, June 20, 2019
“The Streets of Connecticut to Come Alive with the Sound of ‘Make Music Day’” by Ethan Carey, i95 Rock, June 19, 2019
“Make Music Day to ring in summer with hundreds of live, free concerts on the streets of Connecticut,” by Chip McCabe, Hartford Courant, June 17, 2019
“Piano Trail, drum circle, performances highlight Make Music Day in CT,” by Joe Amarante, Connecticut Post, June 14, 2019
“Six things to do this weekend,” Hartford Courant, June 14, 2019
“Kent Art Association hosts two acts at free Make Music Day event,” Connecticut Post, June 11, 2019
“Fairfield celebrates Make Music Day on June 21,” by TinaMarie Craven, New Canaan Advertiser, June 13, 2019
“Fairfield to join ‘Make Music Day’,” Fairfield Citizen, June 12, 2019
“Celebrating Make Music Day: Why It’s Time To Play and Sing Like The Survival Of The Species Depended Upon It,” by John Motay and Laura Kaehler, Blog: Laura Kaehler Architects, June 15, 2019
“Greenwich joins in the Make Music Day global celebration,” Greenwich Time, May 30, 2019
“Sounds of summer: Hartford’s Make Music 2019 celebration had the city singing,” by Daniel Shular, Hartford Courant, June 21, 2019
“Make Music Hartford Bigger Than Ever,” by Lisa Carberg, WTNH TV, June 20, 2019
“20 of spring and summer’s can’t-miss music festivals,” by Chip McCabe, Hartford Courant, April 8, 2019
“Town Sponsors First Make Music Day Hebron,” by Melanie Savage, Hartford Courant, June 24, 2019
“Middletown joins Make Music Day movement on June 21,” The Middletown Press, May 23, 2019
“City brings music to the streets for Make Music Day,” by Jill Dion, The Milford Mirror, May 30, 2019
“Make Music Day Becomes Night,” by Karen Ponzio, New Haven Independent, June 24, 2019
“Norwalk set to experience International Make Music Day” by Justin Papp, The Norwalk Hour, June 19, 2019
“Wall Street businesses work to revitalize area with ‘big week’ of events,” by Kelly Kultys, The Norwalk Hour, June 14, 2019
“KidsPlay Children’s Museum joins Make Music Day,” The Register Citizen, June 20, 2019
“American Mural Project hosts Make Music Day events in Winsted,” Litchfield County Times, June 19, 2019
“Torrington joins global Make Music Day on Friday,” The Register Citizen, June 18, 2019
“The Top Of The Mountain,” The Newtown Bee, June 14, 2019
“Make Music Day returns to Northwest CT June 21,” The Register Citizen, April 16, 2019
“Giving Thanks: Make Music Day,” Ridgefield Press, June 24, 2019
“Jon Batiste to perform on Main Street in Ridgefield for Make Music Day,” by Steve Coulter, Ridgefield Press, June 20, 2019
“Make Music Day sounds off on June 21,” by Macklin K. Reid, The Ridgefield Press, June 16, 2019
“Make Music Day Ridgefield Continue to Add Performers & Venues,” by Hilary Aronow, Patch, June 12, 2019
“Ridgefield Playhouse Summer Gala features Jon Batiste and Stay Human,” The Ridgefield Press, June 6, 2019
“Ridgefield Arts Council Celebrates Make Music Day With Make Music Ridgefield,” by Hilary Aronow, Ridgefield’s Hamlet Hub, April 7, 2019
“Singin’ in the rain: Damp weather couldn’t derail Make Music Day in New London,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 21, 2019
“To Celebrate the Summer Solstice, Lyme Street Will Be “Alive With the Sound of Music” Tonight,” LymeLine.com, June 21, 2019
“SE Connecticut hosts live tunes aplenty with second Make Music Day events,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 20, 2019
“Groton Family Farm to host day of music, hopes people take interest in project,” by Kimberly Drelich, The Day, June 19, 2019
“Second annual Make Music Day takes place Friday throughout the region,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 19, 2019
“Prudence Crandall Museum to host Make Music Day performers,” Norwich Bulletin, June 11, 2019
“Join in the fun at Stamford pop-up Street Studio on Make Music Day,” Connecticut Post, June 18, 2019
“Musicians Sought for Make Music Stamford Downtown 2019,” The Middletown Press, March 28, 2019
“Community Karen visits Waterbury’s Make Music Day,” Republican American, June 21, 2019
“Waterbury Walkabout: Music, food and more liven up Grand Street,” by Michelle Morcey, Republican American, June 21, 2019
“Local musicians play throughout city for ‘Make Music Waterbury‘,” by Gabriella Debendictis, Republican American, June 21, 2019
“Make Music Day to Be Celebrated in Waterbury,” Town Times, June 20, 2019
“Music festival will fill the streets of Waterbury Friday,” by Martha Shanahan, Republican American, June 15, 2019
“Waterbury Notes Plans for ‘Make Music Day’,” Town Times, June 13, 2019
“Make Music Day,” Voices News, June 26, 2019
“Making music at the solstice,” by Michael J. Daly, CT Post, June 25, 2018
“New Haven Welcomes “Make Music Day”,” by Lucy Gellman, The Arts Paper, June 22, 2018
“New Haven makes a music video,” by Brian Zahn, New Haven Register, June 22, 2018
“Willimantic 3rd Thursday Street Fest on International Make Music Day,” Norwich Bulletin, June 22, 2018
“Make Music Day fills New London’s streets with song,” by Peter Huoppi and Rick Koster, The Day, June 22, 2018
“Bridgeport’s free Make Music Day concerts all day Thursday,” CT Post, June 21, 2018
“Make Music Day events held around western CT,” Connecticut 12 News, June 21, 2018
“Connecticut to celebrate ‘Make Music Day’,” WTNH News 8, June 21, 2018
“Make Music Connecticut kicks-off first day of summer,” News 12 Connecticut, June 21, 2018
“‘Make Music Day’ brings music lovers to Waterbury,” by Matt McFarland and Olivia Lank, WFSB, June 21, 2018
“Making music in New London,” by Sarah Gordon, The Day, June 21, 2018
“Hartford Joins Global Make Music Day With Concerts Around The City,” by Nina Cochran, Hartford Courant, June 21, 2018
“Make Music Day offers dozens of song possibilities throughout the region Thursday,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 20, 2018
“Celebrate Make Music Day with your family in New Haven and beyond,” by Sarah Cody, WTNH News 8, June 20, 2018
“Downtown Stamford hosts first Make Music Day,” by Kat Russell, Stamford Advocate, June 20, 2018
“Make Music Day is this Thursday in Milford,” Milford Mirror, June 19, 2018
“Fairfield To Participate In International Make Music Day,” by Vincent Salzo, Fairfield Patch, June 18, 2018
“Music To Fill Streets As Connecticut Joins Global Make Music Day,” by Nyssa Kruse, Hartford Courant, June 18, 2018
“Musicians, venues across the region to take part in Thursday’s Make Music Day,” by Rick Koster, The Day, June 17, 2018
“The Dish: Author tells tales of Belle Haven’s past,” by Susie Costaregni, Greenwich Time, June 16, 2018
“Free Concerts Set For Make Music Day In West Hartford,” by Vincent Salzo, West Hartford Patch, June 15, 2018
“Library to host entertainment on ‘Make Music Day’,” The Register Citizen, June 15, 2018
“First ever Make Music Connecticut debuts June 21,” West Hartford News, June 14, 2018
“Make Music Day in Stamford Downtown – Thursday, June 21,” Norwalk Plus, June 14, 2018
“Bill of Fairs: Beer, music, mysteries and more,” Milford Mirror, June 13, 2018
“Pequot Library celebrates Make Music Day,” Fairfield Sun, June 12, 2018
“Make Music Stratford debuts June 21,” The Stratford Star, June 12, 2018
“Community News For The Windham Edition,” Hartford Courant, June 12, 2018
“Make Music NWCT,” by Joseph Montebello, Berkshire Style, June 7, 2018
“Make Music NWCT festival set for June 21,” The Register Citizen, June 6, 2018
“Make Music Stratford seeks musicians,” The Stratford Star, May 22, 2018
“Summer Fun 2018: Fairs and Festivals in June, Connecticut Magazine, May 18, 2018
“A Summer Of Music And Art On The Streets Of Downtown Hartford,” by Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, May 16, 2018
“Street fest returns to Willimantic,” by Ekaterine Tchelidze, Norwich Bulletin, May 16, 2018
“Street fest returns to Willimantic,” by Ekaterine Tchelidze, Norwich Bulletin, May 16, 2018
“Going New Orleans: Milford welcomes street musicians June 21,” Milford Mirror, May 11, 2018
“June 21 is Make Music Day around the world — and now in our region,” by Kristina Dorsey, The Day, April 27, 2018
“Middletown will be filled with sound of music honoring Fête de la Musique,” Middletown Press, March 19, 2018
“Connecticut To Join Global Make Music Day,” by Michael Hamad, Hartford Courant, March 14, 2018
“Make Music Connecticut – interview with Aaron Friedman,” by John Murphy, Windham Arts Radio Review, WILI Radio, February 28, 2018
VISION: Inspire. Empower. Educate. Transform. The arts are a human right. The Connecticut Office of the Arts envisions a world where the arts, in all forms, are embedded in everyday life.
MISSION: The Connecticut Office of the Arts animates a culture of creativity across Connecticut by supporting arts making and arts participation for all people.
In Connecticut, the state agency charged with fostering the health of the creative economy is the Office of the Arts, which is located in the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The Office of the Arts develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors. Through our grant programs, the Office of the Arts invests in Connecticut artists and arts organizations and encourages the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters, and audience members. Through our programs and services, the Office of the Arts connects people to the arts and helps to build vital communities across the state.
To learn more, visit our website.