A Joyful Celebration of Make Music Day
At our museum, every day is an open invitation for visitors to explore music through our many interactive instruments. But on the summer and winter solstices each year, we join cities around the world in celebrating Make Music Day—a global celebration of music in all its forms.
On June 21, we welcomed nearly 500 visitors for a free day filled with music and joy. The event featured activities for all ages, from kids building bamboo guitars, to group singing, to spontaneous jam sessions on the lawn and in the galleries, to concerts in our lobby. It was a magical, joy-filled day that truly embodied the spirit of musical connection.
There’s something uniquely powerful about making music. At the museum, we encourage everyone—whether a seasoned musician, a curious beginner, or a passionate listener—to engage with music in their own way. Music has a way of reaching the soul, and on Make Music Day, that connection was more vibrant than ever. While there were countless memorable moments, the ones that stood out most were those where strangers came together to sing, hum, dance, listen, and play—united by sound.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique and is now celebrated annually on June 21 in more than 2,000 cities across dozens of countries. Unlike traditional music festivals, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to participate. Musicians of all ages, skill levels, and genres fill streets, parks, porches, and plazas with free, live music—creating community through shared experience.
We hope you’ll mark your calendars to join us again for Make Music Winter on the winter solstice. To learn more or find out how to host your own Make Music event, visit makemusicday.org.
