Fête de la Musique: Berlin's Annual Open-Air Music Festival
Celebrating the Beginning of Summer with Live Music on the Streets
May 15th, 2023
Berliners mark the beginning of summer with an open-air music festival called the Fête de la Musique. This French tradition has been celebrated in the city annually since 1995 and sees musicians of all genres perform live music on the streets for free. The festival falls on the 21st of June each year and is known as Bonjour au Soleil - a greeting to the sun!
Thanks to a special permit for street musicians, acoustic music can be played in public spaces across all twelve districts of Berlin from 4 PM to 10 PM on June 21. However, musicians are asked to be considerate of facilities such as hospitals, schools, and memorials when performing. With over 80 locations across Berlin hosting musicians, there is plenty of opportunity for people to enjoy live music on this special day.
The Fête de la Musique was first initiated by Jack Lang, the then French Minister of Culture in Paris in 1982. It started off as a small-scale celebration of music and musical idealism but has since grown into a global success, attracting players and listeners from all over the world. Today, the festival is celebrated in more than 120 countries, with over 700 cities participating in the festivities.
In Berlin, the Fête de la Musique has become a much-anticipated event for locals and tourists alike, signaling the start of summer and a time to enjoy the beautiful city's vibrant music scene. The festival's inclusivity of both amateur and professional musicians makes it a truly unique celebration of music that brings people together in a festive atmosphere.
