About
Make Music Day Appleton
Make Music Day Appleton is an annual event celebrated worldwide as part of the Fête de la Musique. The Fête de la Musique is a festival that takes place in over 1,000 cities in more than 120 countries on the summer solstice, which falls on June 21st each year. This day is set aside to celebrate music in all its diverse forms and encourages people to come together and play free public concerts.
In the United States, Make Music Day is presented by The NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the Make Music Alliance. This year, on Sunday, June 21st, 2026, Appleton will host a variety of events at The History Museum at the Castle at 330 E. College Ave. The fun kicks off at 12:30 on the front lawn of the museum.
Make Music Day Appleton is open to anyone and everyone! All ages, skill levels, and musical categories are welcome to participate in this exciting event. The range of events that have been featured in previous years is diverse and extensive, from Ghanaian bucket drumming to ukulele jams, early childhood music programming to a blues workshop. All events are welcome and celebrated.
If you’re interested in leading an event or volunteering for Make Music Day Appleton, don’t hesitate to reach out to Claire Klaver for more information. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your musical talents, learn from others, and make new connections in the community.
How did Make Music Day begin?
It all started 40 years ago in France.
In 1982, France’s Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free, live music would be everywhere: street corners and parks, rooftops and gardens, store fronts and mountaintops.
And, unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music, or host performances. The event would take place on the summer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête De La Musique. (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music!”)
Amazingly enough, this dream has come true. The Fête has turned into a true national holiday: France shuts down on the summer solstice and musicians take over. Almost 8% of the country (5 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique.
Four decades later, the holiday has spread throughout the world and is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. In the U.S., the presenting sponsor is the NAMM Foundation.
Schedule
Make Music Day Appleton Schedule – 2026
Sunday, June 21
All events will take place on the lawn of The History Museum at the Castle, 330 E. College Ave. Appleton, WI
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Instrument Petting Zoo | Drew St. side lawn
Dive into the world of music with the Heid Music Instrument Petting Zoo, open to music lovers of all skill levels! This unique day is designed for enthusiasts and novices alike, providing an opportunity to explore and play a wide variety of musical instruments. Whether you have years of experience or have never touched an instrument, this event promises a fun and educational experience for everyone. Throughout the event, you can interact with a rich assortment of brass, string, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Heid Music Sales Specialists will be on hand to guide you through the basics of each instrument, from the deep bellows of a Cello to the bold blasts of a trumpet. Discover the joys of making music in an inviting and supportive environment.
12:35 PM – 1:05 PM | Rondini’s Bombastic Bubbles | College Ave. front lawn
Join magician RONDINI as he uses his secret bubble formula to demonstrate various bubble mysteries such as bouncing bubbles, catching bubbles, volcano bubbles, bubbles inside of bubbles, square bubbles and even putting a someone inside of a bubble! Check out this video from a “typical” bubble show.
1:10 PM – 1:40 PM | Fun with Bucket Drumming | College Ave. front lawn
Get in the groove and release your inner percussionist with some fun-filled bucket drumming, with supplies from Vic Firth! – led by Percussionist Jonathan Leahy.
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Singing Resistance Fox Cities | College Ave. front lawn
We are Singing Resistance Fox Cities!
We sing for Love, Unity, Peace, Equality, and Humanity.
We sing to unite, uplift and inspire. We rise up in song together to connect, protect, and care for our neighbors and communities.
Together, we use our hearts and voices to create and live the better world we know is possible, now.
The Singing Resistance Movement calls for unified voices raised in song. Bring your enthusiasm and sing with your heart! No experience necessary. All voices can sing. All voices are welcome and embraced.
Webpage:
https://commonrootsrising.org/singing-resistance-fox-cities/
Instagram:
@singingresistancefc
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Guitar & Percussion Jam with Childbloom Guitar Program | College Ave. front lawn
Students from The Childbloom Guitar Program will perform together and have a rhythm play along, giving the audience an opportunity to add percussion instruments to their ensemble music. Several music styles will be played including folk, classical, contemporary, as well as music selections to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. The Childbloom Guitar Program offers expert music instruction to young learners.
Participate
Come and celebrate Make Music Day Appleton with us on Sunday, June 21st, 2026, and be a part of this exhilarating event! We welcome everyone to join us, regardless of their age, skill level, or music preference. Keep yourself informed of the latest happenings by frequently checking back.
Make Music Day Appleton has featured a diverse range of performers over the years, with solo artists, bands, interactive music-making sessions, and jam sessions all making an appearance. Musicians of all ages and skill levels have participated, representing various musical genres such as rock, jazz, classical, and folk. This event provides individuals with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their musical abilities, learn from others, explore new musical possibilities, and make connections within the community.
Keep an eye out for updates on the schedule of events so that you don’t miss out on anything.
Thank You Make Music Day Appleton Partners!
The partners of Make Music Day Appleton work together to create a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Heid Music, Lawrence University, Appleton Area School District, Fox Valley Performing Arts Center, Appleton Downtown Inc, Mile of Music, and Willems Marketing are all dedicated to providing the best possible programming for this wonderful day. They bring their expertise in music education and performance, venue access and equipment, and promotional support to ensure the event’s success. Working tirelessly together, they create a vibrant and engaging event that showcases the beauty and power of music in their community. Thank you so much Make Music Day Appleton Partners! Make sure to visit the partner websites and support Downtown Appleton.
Contact
We are always looking for individuals who want to support music in our community!
Are you a musician with performance ideas, a teacher who would like to share music education, a venue that would like to provide space for music, or have questions about Make Music Day Appleton? Feel free to reach out to us!
