What is Make Music Southeastern CT?

Make Music Southeastern CT is part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide. Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 1,000 communities around the world.

What happens on Make Music Day in Southeastern CT?

Make Music Day in Southeastern CT features music-makers of all abilities and music from any genre. Everyone is invited to participate by performing, providing an outdoor space, or attending to appreciate music. All Ages. Free. Join the celebration in your community and help fill every town and city in Southeastern CT with music.

Who coordinates Make Music Day in Southeastern CT?

The Cultural Coalition is the designated Make Music Day chapter in Southeastern CT. Now in its 8th year, this project is part of our mission to improve the economy, vitality and quality of life in Southeastern Connecticut by supporting the arts, cultural and creative community.

New for 2025: New London is a separate Make Music chapter. If you are looking to host or play in the City of New London, check out their website and registration portal.

Find out more about participating below, then register with us! (REGISTRATION OPENS in April.)

Make Music Southeastern CT is administered by the Cultural Coalition in partnership with the Make Music Alliance, with support from the Department of Economic & Community Development, CT Office of the Arts.

How did Make Music Day get started?

Make Music Southeastern CT is modeled after a Parisian tradition (Fête de la Musique) that began in 1982 as a tribute to the Summer Solstice. In 2007, Fête de la Musique crossed the Atlantic with the debut of Make Music New York. In the U.S., Make Music Day is presented by the NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance.

Make Music Day Southeastern CT is Saturday, June 21, 2025!

Make Music Southeastern CT is returning on June 21, 2025, for our region’s 8th annual celebration. We expect numerous venues across the region to offer an exciting schedule of live public performances and music-making.

We invite you to join in one of the many Make Music Day initiatives that will take place this year in Southeastern CT. You can also curate and share your own free performance.

Musicians & Host Locations – How Can You Participate?

All Make Music Southeastern CT performances must be free to attend and family-friendly.

Anyone interested in celebrating Make Music Day by performing or hosting a performance(s) in Southeastern CT should register with us. Create a profile and search the listings to find a venue or performer. Registered performances also appear on the online Make Music Southeastern CT schedule and will be promoted on social media, our website, and via email.

Click HERE TO REGISTER

Registration & “match-making” for musicians, groups, venues/performance hosts

Users who registered with us in 2023 or 2024 will be able to revise/update your existing profile.

Join the celebration in 2025!

Featured National Projects 2025

Musicians may also participate in National Projects coordinated by the Make Music Alliance.

These include:

• Critical Impact
• Flowerpot Music
• Make Music, Make Friends
• #MySongIsYourSong
• String Together
• Stridulations
• Mass Appeal

Information about how to participate is available at www.makemusicday.org

Support

Make Music Southeastern CT is a program of the Cultural Coalition, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the economy, vitality and quality of life in Eastern Connecticut by supporting the arts, cultural and creative community. Help us make events like Make Music Southeastern CT possible! Click here to make a tax deductible donation!

2025 Make Music Southeastern CT Sponsors:

support from Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts

Interested in being a sponsor of Make Music Southeastern CT, contact Wendy Vincent at 860-448-5135.

Press

Make Music Day celebrations return to Connecticut
CT Fox 61 Interview, May 30, 2024 – with Kia Baird, Cultural Coalition and Jacob Graham, musician

Old Lyme comes alive with music
The Day, June 21, 2023 – By Rick Koster, Day Staff Writer

Make Music in New London
The Day, June 21, 2023 – By Sarah Gordon, Staff Photographer

Make Music Day serenades southeastern Connecticut
The Day, June 22, 2022 – By Dana Jensen, Staff Photographer

Make Music Day heralds the return of live music in New London
The Day, (video) June 22, 2021 – By Peter Huoppi and Rick Koster Day staff writers

‘Music is the key to happiness’: Make Music Day brings joy back to Norwich
The Bulletin, June 22, 2021 – By Matt Grahn

Hundreds Celebrate Summer Solstice With Stroll Down Lyme St. Enjoying ‘Make Music Day’
LymeLine.com – June 24, 2021 by Olwen Logan

Region celebrates Make Music Day
The Day, June 21, 2021 – By Sarah Gordon Day staff writer

Sunday’s Make Music Day events go virtual and live
The Day, June 19, 2020

Celebrate Make Music Day online with performances from local musicians
WTNH News

SE Connecticut hosts live tunes aplenty on second Make Music Day
By Rick Koster, Publication: The Day, June 21, 2019

Singin’ in the rain- Damp weather couldn’t derail Make Music Day in New London
By Rick Koster, Publication: The Day, June 21, 2019

Make Music Day to ring in summer with hundreds of live free concerts in Connecticut
By Chip McCabe, Publication: Hartford Courant, June 17, 2019

Make Music Day Photo Gallery 2019

Make Music Day 2018, The Day,  Video by Rick Koster and Peter Huoppi

Make Music Day info and questions: 
Wendy Vincent, Executive Director at w.vincent@culturesect.org
Kia Baird, Outreach & Community Impact Coordinator at k.baird@culturesect.org

For New London venues and musicians, please visit Make Music New London for info and to register.