Paris: When the Summer Solstice arrives on Saturday, millions of people across France will attend the impromptu street concerts of Fête de La Musique hosted by restaurants, bars, museums, and even libraries—a French summer tradition for more than 40 years now. The Summer Solstice of June 21, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, also heralds France's beloved music festival, the Fête de la Musique, which is marking its 44th year.
According to France24.com, the festival will see thousands of concerts held across streets, bars, restaurants, gardens, museums, and libraries in France for one night only. The full lineup for concerts in Paris is available online, and the complete schedule for all of France can be found on the government website. Over the years, millions have attended the festival, with some traveling from outside France to join the festivities. This year, Beyoncé will be performing for three days over the weekend at the Stade de France, drawing even more music lovers to Paris.
Social media, especially TikTok, is buzzing with foreigners, mainly British, eager to join the celebration. Many are sharing tips on how to participate and even practicing their French. The Paris transport system will offer a special Fête de la Musique pass for £4.20, providing unlimited access to all public transportation (except to airports) from 5 pm on June 21 until 7 am on June 22.
The festival this year falls on a weekend, coinciding with a heatwave that could see Paris temperatures soar to around 35°C (95°F). The next Summer Solstice to take place on a Saturday will be in 2031. The festival was launched in 1982 by former minister of culture Jack Lang, inspired by a survey showing that around 5 million French citizens played an instrument. The event was designed to break down barriers between amateur and professional musicians, open to all music genres without a hierarchy.
Some credit Joel Cohen, an American musician at France Musique public radio, as the originator of the musical solstice idea. In 1976, Cohen launched Saturnales de La Musique, a special broadcast to celebrate the solstices on June 21 and December 21 with music. The European Year of Music in 1985 aimed to export the celebration abroad, and by 1997, a charter on La Fête Européenne de la Musique was signed in Budapest.
Today, thousands of cities around the world celebrate Fête de la Musique, which translates to Music Party in French and is a play on words with Faites de la musique—meaning to make music. Organizers emphasize that the event is "for all music and all audiences without any lucrative purposes." More than 120 countries now host Fête de la Musique events in various cities worldwide.