Photo: Staatskanzlei Saarland/ Dietze
Our Patron The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture
Anke Rehlinger,
the Federal Republic of Germany's Commissioner for Cultural Affairs under the Franco-German Treaty, is the central German contact for France in the fields of culture and education.
"Fête de la Musique is more than a festival — it's a resounding call for openness, diversity, and togetherness.
At a time when dark political clouds are gathering, when exclusion and hatred are growing louder again, music brings light, warmth, and connection. It knows no borders, no origin, and no distrust. Especially in times of a societal climate of uncertainty, we need these strong, positive images: squares full of music, voices from all over the world, people celebrating together — that is democracy lived in the best sense. Fête de la Musique shows what Europe can be: a space of listening, exchange, and the joy of togetherness."
The Organizers of Fête de la Musique
Every Fête is different. And that's what we love!
Fête de la Musique is organized by a wide variety of hosts. Towns and municipalities, the Institut français, associations, cultural institutions, and dedicated individual volunteers each carry the idea of the Fête into their communities in their own way — however it's possible and however it fits the people of that place.
Björn Curates the Largest Fête de la Musique in Germany
Fête de la Musique has been celebrated in the capital since 1995. For its 30th anniversary in 2025, more than 300 music venues and over 900 events transformed the entire city into an open stage for music.
Berlin hosts the largest Fête de la Musique in Germany.
The Berlin Fête de la Musique is curated by Björn Döring and Fachhandel für Ereignisse. Together with numerous districts, cultural venues, and musicians, he shapes a festival that stands for openness, participation, and the diversity of Berlin's music scene.
Photo: Morena Piro
Thank You Marie for Continuing to Champion the Fête Halle Even After the Change of Host Association
Since 2007, the city of Halle (Saale) has turned into an open stage for musicians of all genres every year on June 21st. The Fête Halle now attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually, transforming the entire city into a resounding space of encounter for cultural diversity, participation, and shared experience.
Fête de la Musique Halle is organized by kreanativ e.V. — Association for Art, Culture, and Education. (Previously run by Erlebnisfabrik e.V. for 15 years.) Project lead Marie Meier has shaped the festival since 2016 and has been responsible for Fête Halle since 2017. Together with more than 30 cooperation partners from the music industry, socio-culture, and subculture, she organizes one of Saxony-Anhalt's largest free music festivals.
Photo: Morena Piro
Matthias Connects Municipal Cultural Work with Fête de la Musique in Aschersleben
Fête de la Musique in Aschersleben has taken place since 2013 under the direction of Matthias Poeschel. He is a board member of the Aschersleben Kulturanstalt (AöR) and is responsible there for the areas of culture, leisure, and tourism for the city of Aschersleben.
Together with local stakeholders from culture, education, and the music scene, Matthias transforms the city center into an open stage with multiple venues, where local and regional musicians from various genres perform — from rock and pop to choral music, classical, and jazz.
Photo: Morena Piro
Caro and Simon brought the Fête to Neubrandenburg
for the anniversary
On the occasion of the city's 777th anniversary, the music festival was celebrated on June 21st throughout the entire city center, bringing together over 30 acts at multiple venues — ranging from music to dance to performance art.
The Fête in Neubrandenburg is organized by Studio am See e.V., which developed a decentralized city festival together with the city administration. The city center becomes an open stage for a diverse music program across various locations — including squares, streets, and courtyards.
In 2025, the premiere was a great success, so the event will take place again in 2026 and continue to grow.
Good Music – Jürgen!
Photo: Morena Piro
Benjamin from Chemnitz works within the cultural region's network, collaborating with many participating locations on organizing Fête de la Musique
In Chemnitz, Spinnerei e.V. organizes the local Fête de la Musique and has continuously implemented the format in the city center since 2015.
Implementation is carried out by a permanently established project team within the association, along with a large network of volunteers. Together, they organize the Fête's core tasks: program coordination, space and stage planning, communication with musicians, as well as collaboration with local cultural stakeholders and the city's partner institutions.
Benjamin Gruner serves as project lead, responsible for coordinating Fête de la Musique in Chemnitz and acting as the central contact person for the project's implementation.
For several years, the Fête has also been carried out in partnership with the Chemnitz Cultural Region network, and continues to be developed together with surrounding municipalities.
Photo: Morena Piro
The Innenstadt Initiative organizes Fête de la Musique in Jena
Fête de la Musique in Jena is organized by Initiative Innenstadt Jena e.V. The association brings together over 160 members from retail, gastronomy, culture, the creative industry, and civil society, and is dedicated to a lively and attractive city center. A volunteer board made up of nine Jena entrepreneurs leads the association, supported by the city manager, the project coordinator, and the social media team.
As the license holder for Fête de la Musique in Jena, the initiative coordinates the event and brings musicians and venues together. The music is spread across various locations in the city center — from squares and courtyards to areas in front of shops and restaurants.
The open character of Fête de la Musique is especially important: alongside the coordinated venues, contributions also emerge from spontaneous initiative. Visitors can either seek out specific concerts or simply wander through the city and linger wherever music is playing. It's precisely this diversity that gives Fête de la Musique in Jena its special appeal.
Photo: Fête Jena
Photo: Florian Arp
Hannover – UNESCO City of Music Celebrates Fête de la Musique
Hannover has been part of the international Fête de la Musique network since 2008. Since 2017, MusikZentrum Hannover has coordinated the nationwide network and handles the licensing of new Fête de la Musique cities in Germany.
With its diverse music scene, the state capital of Hannover has held the title of UNESCO City of Music since 2014. This musical diversity is reflected every year on June 21st, when the city center transforms into a large open-air stage.
At more than 30 stages and venues, choirs, orchestras, bands, singer-songwriters, DJs, dance groups, and solo artists present a varied program — from amateur music to professional ensembles. Whether classical, jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, world music, electronic, or choral music: Fête de la Musique Hannover invites everyone to discover new music and artists, free of charge.
The event is organized by the Event Management department of the state capital of Hannover. Production is led by MusikZentrum Hannover. Together with numerous cultural institutions, associations, initiatives, and venues, a music festival is created each year that brings public space to life and connects people through music.
Non-financial Partners of Fête de la Musique
Fête de la Musique thrives on strong partnerships. Nationwide associations, networks, and organizations from culture, music, civil society, and the events industry accompany and support the idea of freely accessible music in public space. Together, they are committed to cultural participation, social cohesion, and a diverse music culture.
We believe in the power of music!
Photo: BBE
FEDERAL NETWORK FOR
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Lilian Schwalb,
Managing Director of the Federal Network for Civic Engagement
"Fête de la Musique shows how cultural engagement brings people together, fosters participation, and makes social cohesion visible in public space — far beyond national borders. We are convinced that this network further strengthens our shared work for a vibrant, diverse, and internationally connected civil society."
The Bundesnetzwerk Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (BBE) is an alliance of stakeholders from civil society, government, and business, representing the interests of around 30 million people who volunteer in civic engagement across Germany.
Photo: Maxim Green
GERMAN MUSIC COUNCIL
Antje Valentin,
Secretary General of the German Music Council
"Fête de la Musique is a celebration of living diversity. It brings music in all its facets directly to the people — revealing the cultural richness, especially of amateur music, and the power of music to create connection and cohesion. Music is not a luxury on top of everyday life, but a foundation for individual personal development and social togetherness. Culture and music promote democratic values and democratic behavior in their own way."
The German Music Council is the central umbrella organization of musical life in Germany, representing around 15 million people, including musicians, associations, and institutions at the national and international level.
Photo: BMCO
Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester
Prof. Judith Mohr,
Vice President of Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester
"Fête de la Musique celebrates the power of sound in a truly unique way. But without volunteers, there would be no stage — not even for Fête de la Musique. Because real community is built by people who give more than what's expected and get involved wholeheartedly. In amateur music too, this voluntary commitment is the heart of our togetherness. That's why we at Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester say: thank you to everyone who makes culture possible in the first place."
The Bundesmusikverband Chor & Orchester (BMCO) is the central advocacy body for amateur music in Germany, representing around 100 member associations with a total of approximately 16 million people making music in choirs and orchestras.
Voices from Politics and Society
Fête de la Musique brings people together and makes culture accessible to everyone. Politicians from cities, states, the federal government, and Europe accompany this idea with their greetings and perspectives, underscoring the importance of the Fête for cultural life and social togetherness.
Appreciation for the Significance of Fête de la Musique!
Barbara Klepsch, Saxon State Secretary for Culture and Tourism
Bettina Martin, Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Nicole Westig, Chair of the German-French Parliamentary Group (2025)
François Marie Delattre, French Ambassador to Germany
Dr. Florian Drücke, Chairman of the Board of the German Music Industry Association (Bundesverband Musikindustrie)
Katja Lucker, Managing Director of Initiative Musik
Falko Mohrs, Minister for Science and Culture in Lower Saxony
Rainer Robra, Head of the State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt and Minister for Culture
Christian Wulff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Deutschlandstiftung Integration, President of the German Choral Association
Arne Braun, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg
Foto: Nadja Majoub