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 Alpe d'Huez 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 Alpe d'Huez summer 2019

    What's new this summer in Alpe d'Huez

  • Why Alpe d'Huez is great in summer 2019

    Why summer is great in Alpe d'Huez

  • 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

Events

  • An image of a firework display

    Bastille Day

  • Oisans Col Series, Alpe d'Huez

    Oisans Col Series

  • Yoga at Pic Blanc

    Yoga at Pic Blanc

  • Classical music concert at Alpe d'Huez church and the organ

    Classical music concert

  • Oisans Trail Tour, Alpe d'Huez

    Oisans Trail Tour

  • Le Tour passing through Oisans

    Tour de France passes through Oisans