Music festival
Launched in 1982 by the Ministry of Culture with the aim of bringing down to the streets the five million French who played a musical instrument, the Fête de la musique is celebrated on June 21, mainly in the evening and the night until the next morning, worldwide. Free and open to all musicians, amateurs and professionals, the Music Festival is open to all audiences and showcases all musical genres.
#FetedelaMusique - June 21, 2023
An annual celebration that celebrated its 40 years and became the busiest cultural event of the year with the European Heritage Days. Every year, the event brings together millions of spectators in the streets, bars, restaurants and concert halls of all French cities.
The little story behind the creation of the Music Festival
Several elements and actors have given the impetus to create a great annual and national music festival.
The idea of a date to celebrate music came partly from the lutenist and former assistant of the director of France Musique, Joël Cohen. In 1976 he imagined « music saturnals » that would take place on June 21 and December 21. A few years later, in 1981, Maurice Fleuret, a former member of France Musique, was appointed Director of Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture.
In 1982, a major survey revealed that 5 million French people practice a musical instrument. Jack Lang, Maurice Fleuret and Christian Dupavillonmembers of the cabinet and stage artists, then realized the importance of music for the French. They launched in the wake the first edition of the Music FestivalThanks to the participation and commitment of thousands of professional and amateur musicians, the event is a huge success. The date of the Music Festival has since been engraved in the head of every French citizen as an unmissable event.
Urban transport serving the Fête la musique
A success such that some city services adapt to the event. For the music festival, the transports of many cities often adjust their service schedules. In Paris, RATP offers subways all night ; to Lyon Sytral network remains open until two in the morning ; Lille metro expands its offer and runs until 1:30 am. A service adapted to this festive event that allows participants to return easily and safely after attending concerts.
The party of all music, without a gender hierarchy!
Since its creation, the vocation of the Fête de la musique has been to celebrate all music. Whether it is classical music or of contemporary music, all genres have their place in the streets and squares of France. All genres, but also all levels. The Music Festival is an open event professionals and amateurs alike.
Concert of Amadou and Mariam in Argenteuil at the Fête de la musique 2019, Brazilian percussions in Toulouse in 2012, the reggae group Massilia Sound System in 2001 at the Théâtre antique d'Arles, or representation of the multi-family ofinstrumentalists of Barback’s Ogres in Caen in 2009, the musical universes presented are as wide as the music has genres and subgenres.
The Ministry of Culture, hosting an exceptional evening concert at the Palais-Royal
Every year the Ministry of Culture takes part in the festivities and organizes a whole day of concerts at the Palais-Royal for the Fête de la musique in Paris. The ministry has invited artists Mentissa, Eesah Yasuke, Temenik Electric, the Confluence Quartet (Proquartet), as well as fans such as the winners of the Tremplin pass Culture, the Cité des Marmots, the Tanguent Muses Band and ministry officials.
These concerts are, like most events of the June 21, free shows, open to all and with the aim of showing all the diversity of music (entrance Place Colette, 75001).
World Music Day, Fiesta de la musica, a French celebration that is exported all over the world
In 1985, the European Year of Music marked the international development of this musical day. An export framed in 1997 by the creation in Budapest of a charter of «the European festival of music». 30 years later, the Music Festival is exported to 120 countries, in Europe, but also in Colombia, Peru, China, Kenya, Canada…
The different names given abroad at the Music Festival:
- Make Music Day (UK)
- Fiesta delle musica (Italy)
- Swieto Muzyki (Poland)
- Art in the city (Quebec)
«Fête de la musique: Make music» live, live and replay
Even if nothing is better than to travel to attend the concerts of the day of the Music Festival, the event is also transcribed and supported by many media, television (France 2, France 3, TF1, TV5 Monde) print media (Tecknikart, Tsugi) via radio (RFI, France Inter) and the web (Konbini…).
On television
Each year, the public service and other DTT channels organize concerts and special programs for this important date. On TV5 Monde, one of the official partners, we find live broadcasts of concerts, on France 2 a prime time Music Festival special. In 2017, the live Filmed in Toulouse attracted 2.7 million viewers.
On the Radio
At the home of the Radio, on the day of the Fête de la musique, all the public service radios vibrate at the same time for the event. France culture, IPE, France Musique or France Inter, all organize concerts and special programs to honour this date of June 21.
Throughout the Maison de la Radio, you can also find workshops, meetings and concerts accessible to the public.
To answer calls for participation
To propose a concert, a performance for the day of the Music Festival, go to the town halls, bars and restaurants of your city.
For any information or question, contact the Ministry of Culture.
Find the posters of the editions of the Fête de la musique since 1982
Frequently Asked Questions:
The music festival takes place on the day of the summer solstice, June 21.
Music Festival was established in 1982 by Jack Lang’s Ministry of Culture. The idea for this day would come from the musician Joël Cohen former of the radio France Musique.
On the squares and streets of all the participating cities and villages in France, but also in Europe and some cities in Asia, South America or Africa. The music festival is celebrated in 120 countries.