In the 40 years since it began on June 21, 1982, France’s Fête de la Musique has become one of the country’s most important holidays, with millions taking to the streets to make music together on the first day of summer. Countless other countries have been inspired to celebrate their own June 21 musical holidays, including the United States, Nigeria, China, Australia, UK, Germany, Italy and Brazil, to name a few.
To honor the event’s 40th anniversary in 2022, the Make Music Alliance is organizing Faire La Fête – 40 free concerts in 40 countries on June 21 featuring the music of French songwriters and composers – along with other anniversary events around the world.
In 1982, Jack Lang and his team at France’s Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free, live music would be everywhere: street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, store fronts and mountaintops.
And, unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music. The event would take place on the summer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête de la Musique (which means both “festival of music” and “make music!”).
Amazingly enough, this dream has come true: France shuts down on the summer solstice and musicians take over. Almost 8% of the country (5 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique. Today, 40 years later, the holiday has spread throughout the world and is now celebrated in more than 120 countries.
Joyeux anniversaire et bonne fête!
“Faire la Fête” is coordinated by Sylvie Canal (France), Aaron Friedman (United States), and Andria Nicodemou (Cyprus).
Among the thousands of Fête de la Musique concerts worldwide, we highlight one concert in each of 40 countries that celebrates the event's 40th anniversary with music by a French composer or songwriter.
20:30 - 22:00
Institut Français d'Alger
07 Rue Capitaine HASSANI, Alger Ctre
16:00 - 21:30
Cathedral of San Mateo, Salerno
Piazza Alfano I, 84125
Parco Archeologico de Selinunte
91022 Marinella di Selinunte
13:00
Connolly Train Station
1 Amiens St, North Dock, Dublin
20:00
Eleftheria (Liberty) Square
Konstantinou Palaiologou 20e, Nicosia
20:00
Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, Mumbai
20, Juhu Church Rd, Janki Kutir
19:30
Plaza San Francisco, Cuenca
Pdte. Cordova y P. Aguirre
20:30
Barnathan Rooftop
Şahkulu, Tımarcı Sk. No:1, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
14:00
Santa Fe Beach Park, Siargao
R4RR+72R, General Luna, Surigao del Norte
20:30
Miry Concert Hall, Royal Conservatory of Ghent
Biezekapelstraat 9, 9000
10:00 - 19:00
Liberty Island
Liberty Island, New York NY
19:30
Sct. Mortens Church, Randers
Vester Kirkestræde 7, 8900
19:00
Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
R. de Dom Manuel II, 4050-346 Porto
19:00
Garagem Theater, Brasilia
Av. W4 Sul, SEPS 713/913 lt F
18:30
Musikwerkstatt Basel
Theodorskirchpl. 7, 4000 Basel
20:00
Varga Core, Bahria, Islamabad
B-10, Emp. Heights-II, Phase-VI
20:00
Youth and Recreation Center
Bakhtiari Kon St, Sulaimania
Make Music Day (or just “Make Music”) is a free celebration of music around the world on June 21st, the summer solstice.
Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Thousands of amateur musicians play in public spaces, often for their first time. Professional musicians perform for new audiences, who come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. And everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer.
Today, Make Music is observed on the same day in more than 1,000 cities around the world. It is the world’s largest annual music event.
Make Music began in France as Fête de la Musique, a national musical holiday inaugurated in 1982. Ever since, the festival has become an international phenomenon, celebrated on the same day in more than 120 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.
The name Make Music comes from the French Fête (or Faites) de la musique, which means both “festival of music” and “make music!”
Anyone and everyone. Amateurs, part-time professionals, and established artists are all welcome. In the U.S., initiatives like “Mass Appeal” allow even those who have never before touched an instrument to join in.
Yes, Make Music takes place every June 21. (In 2021, it fell on a Monday; in 2022, it will fall on a Tuesday.)
If you are in a city with a Make Music organization, register through that city’s website. (Click here for the list of cities.) Make Music cities use a “matchmaking” platform that allows you to register your own concert, or to collaborate on a Make Music event with local musicians and venues that fit your tastes. Typically, registration for June 21 begins a few months before in March or April, but it depends on the city.
Absolutely. Download this kit (pdf) for tips on how to have your own Make Music event, wherever you are.
The Make Music Alliance can help you strategize, and help you demonstrate the benefits of Make Music to your local officials. Email matt@makemusicday.org to learn more.
In most of the world, each Make Music city is independently organized. Often it’s a local community group, media outlet, arts presenter, government agency, or civic leader who champions the musical holiday in their hometown.
The nonprofit Make Music Alliance exists to serve these Make Music organizers around the world. Its goals are to promote Make Music participation, provide tools to help manage the event in each community, and foster collaboration, mentorship, and mutual support among its members. Detailed membership benefits are described here.
In the United States, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation is the presenting sponsor of Make Music Day.
Many countries have their own national coordinators and partners. Follow the links here to learn more.