This article refers to a European music festival. There is a Lebanese music festival also called Fête de la Musique .

The Fête de la Musique takes place in France, Switzerland, and Belgium on June 21, the summer solstice. It is spreading out, also taking place in many other countries in Europe and across the world.

It was thought up by French culture minister Jack Lang in 1981 and first took place in 1982.

It is the occasion of a mass celebration which has grown more and more successful over the last two decades.

Its purpose is to promote music in two ways:

• Amateur musicians are encouraged to perform in the streets. The slogan Faites de la musique (Make music), a homophone of Fête de la Musique, is used to promote this goal.
• Many free concerts are organized, making all genres of music accessible to the public.
• This is one of the only nights in the year where, under French law, there is no sound restriction at nighttime. One can party on without being bothered by neighbors calling the police

External links

• The French Culture Ministry's website on the Fête de la Musique (in French, international section also available in English)