Skip to main content

Fête de la Musique

Music festival celebrated across France on the summer solstice

featured in Events Calendar Updated

The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.

More than a music festival, the Meribel Fête de la Musique is a free event that spills out from the bars and restaurants onto the streets and encompasses every type of music imaginable, from local amateur teen bands to professional classical musicians, from club DJ’s to traditional folk bands. 

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, the Fête is different from a music festival, in that all the concerts and performances are free to the public and none of the artists are paid. The Fête de la Musique is now celebrated all over the world, where it is more commonly referred to as World Music Day.

Fête de la Musique is one of those certain nights throughout the year when the French authorities waive normal licensing laws, allowing the revelry to continue as long as there are people with the stamina to enjoy it – it is definitely one of the not-to-be-missed events of the summer social calendar.

For more details of programmes please visit their website directly. Programmes are not normally available until June at the earliest. You should also check with your local tourist office or your hotel for details of events near you.

The Fete de la Musique 2019 in Chamonix

Where and when

Starts around midday, continues late into the night.

Fete de la Musique 2019 in Antibes

Venue

Most bars and restaurants

Fête de la Musique at La Marmotte d'Or, Montriond

What to see

Have a wander round town throughout the day to soak up the atmosphere, and later on enjoy the carnival atmosphere and dancing in the street until the small hours.

Saint-Tropez Fete de la Musique 2019

History

This annual celebration first took place in 1982 in Paris, initiated by the French Minister of Culture at the time. La Fête de la Musique has since spread across France, and is also celebrated in approximately 120 other countries around the world.

What's on in Cannes June 2017

Participants

Free event, with music to suit every taste.

Location

Map of the surrounding area

News

  • What's on in Meribel summer 2018

    What's new this summer in Meribel

  • Latest gear - best new clothing for spring 2019

    Hiking gear guide

  • Latest gear - Mountain running equipment for 2019

    Trail running gear guide

  • Latest gear - Camping equipment for summer 2019

    Mountain camping equipment guide

  • a mountain biker jumping in the air

    Mountain bike gear guide

  • Meribel in December 2019 - What weather to expect & what to do

    December in Méribel: What's on and weather

Events

  • Road cyclists

    Gran Fondo Col de la Loze

  • An image of a firework display

    Bastille Day

  • Meribel Valley in the summer

    Surprising Festival

  • Mountain bikers cycling uphill in Meribel

    French Mountain Bike Cup

  • Zen Altitude Week in Meribel

    Zen Altitude

  • Tour de France 2020 in Les Arcs

    Tour de France 2025 in Courchevel