New York Unites to Make Music on June 21!
Join the chorus of Make Music New York State, where world-class talent and first-time performers alike add their voices to the Empire State’s rich musical legacy. On June 21, 2026, New York celebrates the longest day of the year with the joy of live music, from Western New York and the Finger Lakes, to the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
We invite artists of all ages and genres, amateur and professional alike, to sign up to perform free concerts on June 21 in public spaces throughout the state. Everyone is welcome, and we mean everyone — even if you’ve never touched an instrument before, our regional organizers will have free music lessons and special hands-on music making opportunities just for you. And if you have a location to offer — a storefront, park, porch, or sidewalk — we invite you to sign up to host musicians on June 21. Just find your local celebration to get started!
Make Music Day programs in New York State are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Highlights From Across the State:
Albany
Make Music Albany’s fourth year includes a Make Music Day stage in Washington Park (by State & Willett) from 11am – 6pm, with multiple sessions for bucket drumming, open mics, and folk jams. More Details
Beacon
Previewing next year’s launch of Make Music Beacon, local musicians will perform from the steps outside Savage Wonder on Main Street all afternoon, including singing circle leader Onome, father-and-son guitarists Fin and Matt Dunn, and multiinstrumentalist Tanyanne Ball. More Details
Buffalo
Buffalo celebrates Make Music Day at The Cave (71 Military Road) from 4-7pm, with performances by Ralph Walstrom, the GUIMAH jazz quartet, Strings Unbound, and 4 Birds on a Wire. More Details
Catskill
Celebrate the longest day of the year at the Catskill Summer Solstice Celebration! Main Street becomes a pedestrian-only zone from the northern corner of Main Street down to Bridge Street from 4-10pm, with live music, roaming performers, an outdoor dance party, and more family-friendly activities. More Details
Chatham
The inaugural Make Music Chatham begins at 5:23am with the world premiere of a processional boombox piece by Phil Kline, followed by Flowerpot Music led by Matt Gold, an open mic at Stonykill Coffee and Records, Ground Score jam band in a parking lot, and other highlights throughout the day. More Details
Corning
Corning’s Gaffer District comes alive on the eve of Make Music Day (June 20) with a drum circle, kazoo choir, karaoke party, community recital, and local bands. More Details
New York City
The 20th annual Make Music New York includes a tugboat outfitted with a Wurlitzer organ playing down the Hudson River (in harmony with brass players accompanying from on shore). Other highlights include a participatory “Pianokosmos” recital, a “River of Song” choral procession, and hundreds more creative events across the five boroughs. More Details
Ossining-Briarcliff
Now in its 12th year, Make Music Ossining-Briarcliff, led by Mike Risko Music, has become a local institution. All afternoon, the Boathouse Restaurant will host an acoustic open mic, a rhythm circle, ukulele meetup, a harmonica jam (with free Easttop harmonicas for participants), and more! More Details
Rochester
Make Music Rochester reintroduces itself with a pilot program at the Avenue Blackbox Theater, before expanding citywide in 2027 for the first time since Covid. More Details
Troy
The fourth annual Make Music Troy will feature “storefront serenades” throughout downtown Troy, and community music-making events for Suzuki strings, a drum circle, wind band players sight-reading John Philip Sousa marches, and a community jam with Troy Samba. More Details
Woodstock
The Town of Woodstock and Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts unite for the second annual Make Music Woodstock, with a program including a participatory solstice drum event led by Fre Atlast on the Chamber’s front porch. More Details
Yonkers
This year’s Make Music Yonkers includes an outdoor concert by the Library Jazz Band at the Waterfront Promenade, and a Bach to Rock Musical Petting Zoo at the Will Library. More Details