{{short description|Annual music celebration}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox music festival | name = Fête de la Musique | image = Raga du soir au Collège des Bernardins (4730079050).jpg | caption = The Fête de la Musique on 21 June 2010 in Paris | genre = World music | dates = June, yearly | location = {{hlist|France (originally)|World (today)}} | coordinates = | years_active = 1982–present | founders = {{hlist|Jack Lang|Maurice Fleuret}} | attendance = | capacity = | website = {{URL|https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/}} }} The '''Fête de la Musique''' ({{IPA|fr|fɛt d(ə) la myzik}}), also known in English as '''Music Day''', '''Make Music Day''', or '''World Music Day''', is an annual music celebration which usually takes place in mid-June. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside, in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun; no fees are involved.
The idea for the first all-day musical celebration on the day of the summer solstice came from Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture of France, and Maurice Fleuret; it was celebrated in Paris in 1982. Music Day later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world.
==History== In October 1981, Maurice Fleuret became Director of Music and Dance at the French Ministry of Culture at Jack Lang's request. He applied his reflections to the musical practice and its evolution: "the music everywhere and the concert nowhere". When he discovered, in a 1982 study on the cultural habits of the French, that five million people, one young person out of two, played a musical instrument, he began to dream of a way to bring people out on the streets. It first took place in 1982 in Paris as the Fête de la Musique.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fetedelamusique.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/L-evenement/Historique-de-la-Fete-de-la-Musique|title=Historique de la Fête de la Musique|website=Fete de la Musique|access-date=3 February 2018|archive-date=4 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000234/https://fetedelamusique.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/L-evenement/Historique-de-la-Fete-de-la-Musique|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=hist>{{cite web|title=La Fête de la musique : une fête nationale devenue un grand événement musical mondial |url=http://fetedelamusique.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/Presentation-de-la-Fete|website=Le Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication: Fête de la Musique|access-date=26 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426011737/http://fetedelamusique.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/Presentation-de-la-Fete|archive-date=26 April 2015 |language=fr}}</ref>
Ever since, the festival has become an international phenomenon, celebrated on the same day in more than 700 cities in 120 countries, including India, Germany, Italy, Greece, Russia, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, the United States,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.makemusicday.org/|title = Make Music Day|access-date = 19 June 2020|archive-date = 18 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200618091644/http://www.makemusicday.org/|url-status = live}}</ref> the UK, and Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Around The World|url=http://makemusicday.org/cities/worldwide/|website=Make Music – 21 June|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621210456/http://makemusicday.org/cities/worldwide/|archive-date=21 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=hist/>
In the Anglosphere, the day has become known as Music Day,<ref>{{cite web|title=Music Day|url=https://musicday.org.uk/|website=Music Day UK|access-date=19 January 2017|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062251/https://musicday.org.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Make Music Day<ref>{{cite news|title=Free 'Make Music Day' festival coming in June|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/story/28881547/free-make-music-day-festival-coming-in-june|access-date=26 April 2015|agency=Associated Press|date=23 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425235219/http://www.myfoxny.com/story/28881547/free-make-music-day-festival-coming-in-june|archive-date=25 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Make Music Day|url=http://makemusicday.org/|website=Make Music – 21 June|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=19 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519053037/https://www.makemusicday.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> and World Music Day.<ref>{{cite news|title=The World Music Day: How it came into being|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-world-music-day-how-it-came-into-being/1/284637.html|access-date=26 April 2015|agency=India Today|date=21 June 2013|archive-date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621191527/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-world-music-day-how-it-came-into-being/1/284637.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Purpose== The main purpose of Fête de la Musique is to promote music. Amateur and professional musicians are encouraged to perform in the streets, under the slogan ''"Faites de la musique"'' ("Make music"), a homophone of ''Fête de la musique''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/L-evenement/historique-de-la-fete-de-la-musique | title=Historique de la Fête de la Musique | access-date=22 June 2022 | archive-date=4 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000234/https://fetedelamusique.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/L-evenement/Historique-de-la-Fete-de-la-Musique | url-status=live }}</ref> Thousands of free concerts are staged throughout the day, making all genres of music accessible to the public.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fête de la Musique 2019: How to make the most of France's biggest street music party |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20190621/fte-de-la-musique-2019-how-to-make-the-most-of-frances-biggest-street-music-party |website=www.thelocal.fr |access-date=20 June 2020 |date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130060108/https://www.thelocal.fr/20190621/fte-de-la-musique-2019-how-to-make-the-most-of-frances-biggest-street-music-party |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
==France== Despite the general public exhibiting great tolerance for musical performances in public areas in evening hours, noise restrictions do apply and entertainment establishments may only extend their working hours on the day and broadcast music in the evening hours with prior authorization. Prefectures in France reserve the right to prohibit individuals, groups, or establishments to install audio hardware in the streets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tetu.com/rubrique/infos/infos_detail.php?id_news=13140|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115212919/http://www.tetu.com/rubrique/infos/infos_detail.php?id_news=13140|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 January 2009|title=Marais: les gays privés de Fête de la Musique?|date=15 January 2009|access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref>
==Reach and impact== {{as of|2019}}, a total of 120 countries participating in Fête de la Musique,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldmusicday.co.uk/what-countries-celebrate-world-music-day/|title=What countries celebrate World Music Day?|first=Pete|last=Jenkins|date=21 June 2019|website=Vox|access-date=28 January 2023|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128225853/https://worldmusicday.co.uk/what-countries-celebrate-world-music-day/|url-status=live}}</ref> and over 1,000 cities across the world participate in the event.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.makemusicday.org/|title=Make Music Day – The Worldwide Celebration of Music|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005011442/http://www.makemusicday.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, events were held on most continents.<ref name=world>{{cite web | title=Make Music Around the World | website=Make Music Day | date=17 October 2023 | url=https://www.makemusicday.org/make-music-around-the-world/ | access-date=22 October 2023 | archive-date=22 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022051554/https://www.makemusicday.org/make-music-around-the-world/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Italy's ''Festa della Musica'' began in 1985, and became national in 1994.<ref name=world/>
The UK Event began as ''National Music Day'' in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.list.co.uk/the-list/1992-06-19/29/|title=The List: 19 Jun 1992|date=1992-06-19|website=The List Archive|access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406180213/https://archive.list.co.uk/the-list/1992-06-19/29/|url-status=live}}</ref> Make Music Day UK became an independent organization in 2022.<ref name=world/>
Ukraine has been holding its event in Lviv since 2013. Despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine the event continues to be held each year.<ref name=world/>
In the United States, the ''Make Music Alliance'' was formed in 2014 to help coordinate efforts across the country. In 2023, a total of 4,791 free concerts were held across 117 cities. Cincinnati, Madison, New York City, Philadelphia, and Salem each organized over a hundred different concerts on the day<ref>{{cite web | title=About Make Music | website=Make Music Day | date=26 July 2023 | url=https://www.makemusicday.org/about/ | access-date=22 October 2023 | archive-date=22 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022132703/https://www.makemusicday.org/about/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In Australia, Make Music Day Australia was initiated in 2018 by the Australian Music Association (AMA),<ref name=namm2018>{{cite web | last=Carlsbad | first=CA | title=Grantee Spotlight: Australian Music Association | website=NAMM Foundation | date=8 May 2018 | url=https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2018-05-08/grantee-spotlight-australian-music-association | access-date=21 October 2023 | archive-date=26 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026205940/https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2018-05-08/grantee-spotlight-australian-music-association | url-status=live }}</ref> and as of 2022, was co-hosted by the AMA and National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).<ref name=apata2021>{{cite web | title=Make Music Day Australia | website=APATA – The Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association | date=2023-08-31 | url=https://www.apata.com.au/news-article/make-music-day-australia-21-june/ | access-date=2023-10-21 | archive-date=22 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014727/https://www.apata.com.au/news-article/make-music-day-australia-21-june/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, a huge international project called "Make Music, Make Friends" partnered 10 Australian schools with schools around the world to share music and greet one another on Make Music Day.<ref name=briggs2023>{{cite web | last=Briggs | first=Maddy | title=Make noise for Make Music Day in 2023! | website=Limelight | date=21 June 2023 | url=https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/make-noise-for-make-music-day-in-2023/ | access-date=21 October 2023 | archive-date=22 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022014656/https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/make-noise-for-make-music-day-in-2023/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In Cyprus, the festival has been held every year since 2019. While ''Make Music Cyprus'' is usually limited to Nicosia, the 2025 edition expanded to Larnaca as well, but it was held at an earlier date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-12 |title=Make Music Cyprus 2025 spreads across two cities |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/06/12/make-music-cyprus-2025-spreads-across-two-cities |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=cyprus-mail.com |language=en}}</ref>
Turkey and Ghana held their first ''Make Music Days'' in 2022, and South Africa in 2023.<ref name=world/>
==See also== * Make Music Day UK * World music
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Fête de la musique}} * [https://fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr/ The French Culture Ministry's website on the ''Fête de la Musique''] (in French, international section also available in [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092220/http://www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr/en/International/presentation/ English])
{{Visitor attractions in Paris}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1982 establishments in France Category:June observances Category:Music festivals in France Category:Music festivals established in 1982 Category:Organised events in Paris Category:Summer solstice