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, 2025, 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 returns for a 3rd year with bands playing on front lawns, drum circles and Boomwhackers, and bands all afternoon at Everyday’s Restaurant. More Details
Buffalo
Buffalo celebrates Make Music Day at The Cave (71 Military Road) from 7-11pm, with performances by 5 Birds on a Wire and many more. Other featured events will take place at Delaware Park, the Flying Bison Brewing Co, and Island Park in Williamsville. 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 down to Bridge Street from 4-10pm, with roaming performers, a silent disco, a brass band, and more family-friendly activities. More Details
Corning
Corning’s Gaffer District hosts Make Music Day on sidewalks, Riverside Park, and on the Centerway Square Stage, while Marich Music offers free string-changing sessions for guitar, courtesy of Elixir Strings. More Details
Hudson
Hudson’s Park Theater (723 Warren St) celebrates Make Music Day – and Hudson Pride – with a free “U-Haul” party from 2-8pm, featuring a DJ and local artists. More Details
New York City
The 19th annual Make Music New York features 171 “Porch Stomp” concerts on Governors Island, a tugboat outfitted with a Wurlitzer organ playing along the East River (in harmony with brass players on shore), Street Motet No. 1 for singers walking through the Upper West Side, and hundreds more creative events across the five boroughs. More Details
Ossining-Briarcliff
Now in its 11th year, Make Music Ossining-Briarcliff, led by Mike Risko Music, has become a local institution. Join a rhythm circle at the Ossining Farmers Market, listen to bands at the Public Library and the Sing Sing Kill Brewery, rock out in an underground “weir chamber,” and much more. More Details
Red Hook
Radio station WKZE 98.1 FM is amplifying Make Music Day throughout the Hudson Valley – interviewing Make Music Day performers in the lead up to June 21, resurfacing special concerts from their archives, and broadcasting live from Make Music Day in Catskill. More Details
Rochester
The House of Guitars is putting together a day-long Make Music Day program in front of their store and in the amphitheater behind, including a Bach 2 Rock Student Showcase and Jammin’ With Jeff. More Details
Troy
The third annual Make Music Troy will feature bands throughout downtown Troy, and community music-making events for Suzuki strings, live electronic percussion, wind players sight-reading John Philip Sousa marches, members of the American Recorder Society, and a spectacular performance by Troy Samba. More Details
Woodstock
Woodstock launches its very first Make Music Day with several jam sessions, bands, and a performance by world-renowned tabla player Samir Chatterjee. More Details
Wyoming County
The new Make Music Wyoming County features participatory events throughout Perry’s downtown, with something for everyone. Check out the children’s musical workshop, teen/adult drum circle, adult jam session, and open mic night / DJ events! More Details
Yonkers
This year’s Make Music Yonkers includes an outdoor concert by the Purchase Brass Trio at the Crestwood Library, and sessions with kids songwriter Zev Haber and singer/guitarist Desy Murphy at the Will Library. More Details