World Music Day 2026
June 21, 2026
By Céline Arétin, updated June 21, 2025
Origin and history of the Fête de la Musique
World Music Day, known in France as the Fête de la Musique, is celebrated every year on June 21, the day of the summer solstice. It was created in France in 1982, on the initiative of Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, and of the composer and music director Maurice Fleuret. Their idea was simple and radical: to invite every musician, amateur or professional, to take to the streets and play for free, so that music could be heard everywhere on the longest day of the year.
"Faites de la musique": a free celebration of live music
The event was built around a memorable slogan playing on words — "Faites de la musique" ("Make music"), which sounds identical to "Fête de la musique" ("Music festival"). From the very first edition, the principle was that concerts should be free and open to all, held in streets, squares, courtyards, gardens and public spaces rather than in ticketed concert halls. Every genre is welcome, from classical and jazz to rock, electronic and traditional music.
June 21, the day when music fills the streets across the world
A celebration that has spread across the world
What began as a French initiative quickly became an international movement. Under the name World Music Day — or "Make Music Day" in the English-speaking world — the celebration is now held in more than 120 countries and hundreds of cities across every continent. Each June 21, thousands of free performances turn public spaces into open-air stages, bringing together audiences and musicians of every level and every style.
How to take part
Taking part in World Music Day requires no ticket and no special status. Anyone can play: bands set up on street corners, choirs sing in squares, and venues open their doors for free concerts late into the night. For listeners, it is enough to wander through the city and follow the music. Many towns publish a programme of the main stages and events, but much of the charm of the day lies in the unexpected performances found around every corner.