Founded in 1982, Make Music Day is an international music festival that takes place in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries around the world. Each year on June 21st, musicians of all genres come together to perform, create, and celebrate music. Best of all, anyone can participate! All of the shows are entirely free and open to the public.

Continue reading to learn how Make Music Day started, how it’s grown over the years, and how you can participate in your city.

What Is Make Music Day?

During his tenure as the head of the Ministry of Culture (a branch of the French government dedicated to promoting the arts), Jack Lang started a free music festival simply called ​​Fête De La Musique. (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music”.)

But unlike traditional music festivals where massive crowds of people flock to open fields to watch the biggest names in music perform, Fête De La Musique would invite everyone in the country to play music together. 

Over the years, Fête De La Musique has turned into a national holiday. Each year on the summer solstice, the country shuts down to celebrate the joy of making and listening to music. And it’s not just France that’s in on the fun, either. In the 40+ years since Fête De La Musique was founded, Make Music Day has caught on in more than 120 countries.

Make Music Day In Your City

Although Fête De La Musique has been celebrated around the world for more than fraud decades, it’s still relatively new here in the US. Just 15 years ago, Make Music Day made its debut in the US with Make Music New York. Since then, Make Music Day has swept the country, with more than 100 cities across the country hosting free events on June 21st.

If you’re in the Los Angeles or Nashville areas, we encourage you to check out some of the great Make Music Day events around the city, but the Vintage King Showrooms will also be open for demos. Stop by and check out our world-class selection of microphones, synths, pedals, and recording gear.

Check out the Make Music Day website for more information on events in your city. And visit the Vintage King Los Angeles and Nashville Showroom pages to schedule a demo session today!

Looking for some creative inspiration for Make Music Day this year? Check out our list of Best Gear Under $500: Making Music On The Go!

Mitchell FrayeIf you’re interested in purchasing a new instrument or other studio gear, contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.