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Home > Shark Guides > Events > Summer Events > Fete de la Musique

Fete de la Musique

Each June, Paris celebrates Fête de la Musique, which translates in English to "World Music Day." World Music Day is celebrated worldwide, but the festival originated in France. Every June 21 on the summer solstice, professional and amateur artists and  musicians take to the streets in celebration at sundown. Throughout the city, people can attend free concerts covering a variety of music genres from all over the world.

The term “Faites de la musique!” which means “Make music!” is meant to spread awareness of the festival and promote the celebration of international music. This street music festival is a great way to kick off the summer in Paris in true French style and flavor. Enjoy jazz performances, hip hop artists, and techno-electric funk, among other local and foreign melodies. Professionals and aspiring artists alike are welcome to display their talent and delight the crowd.

Historys

Joel Cohen, an American musician working for France Musique, a French radio station, proposed the idea for Fête de la Musique in 1976.  Cohen was studying under Nadia Boulanger, a noted French composer, conductor, and music teacher when he conceived the idea that eventually became Fête de la Musique.

The idea was to have an all-night music party to coincide with the summer solstice. French Music and Dance director Maurice Fleuret added steam to the idea, and the first Fête de la Musique took place in 1982 in Paris.

The one requirement that the festival maintains to this day is that all artists perform for free, and all concerts are open to the public at no charge. The festival hopes to celebrate music in all its forms, and let everyone and anyone enjoy the experience, regardless of price. Open air markets, parks, public buildings, alleys, streets are a musician’s playground during the Fête de la Musique.

Since 1994, the Association pour le developpement de la Creation, Etudes et Projects (ADCEP) has coordinated each Fête de la Musique festival, both in France and abroad. ADCEP is an independent cultural association, appointed by the French Ministry for Culture. In addition to coordinating local groups, cultural centers, and communities to participate, ADCEP assists project directors and festival participants with advice and organizational aid.

Today, variations of the Fête de la Musique is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world, all on June 21st. Participating countries include Algeria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and Peru.

What to Do 

A schedule of open events is available in the weeks prior to the festival, so you can definitely plan out what venues you want to hit. Or, if you would rather be spontaneous, just walking around the various neighborhoods of Paris will expose you to many performances, shows, and give you a taste of all types of music, from hard metal to folk trends.

Getting There

Crowded streets make driving difficult. Unfortunately, the metro gets pretty crowded, especially towards the peak of Fête de la Musique. Other forms of public transit such as buses will face similar problems of congested streets and blocked off areas. Walking is the easiest and most convenient option, not to mention a recommended way to truly soak up the experience.

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