By Lookout Staff
June 16, 2026 -- Santa Monica will join more than 2,000 cities in dozens of countries around the world Sunday in a celebration of live music everyone can take part in.
Participating for a 15th year in Make Music Day, which takes place on the Summer Solstice, the City will "activate parks, a beach venue, and a major transit hub with live performances, participatory music-making, and hands-on workshops."
The performances during Make Music Santa Monica are "inspired by local culture and global themes such as the World Cup and Route 66," Recreation and Arts Department officials said.
The day kicks off with Music Meets the World Cup at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station and Kiss & Ride Parking Lot with performances anyone can take part in from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Ocean Park Association will offer a beachside concert series with multiple musical acts from 1 to 5 p.m. at Beach South Lot 1, while the Miles Memorial Playhouse will host a free "community play day paired with an open-air concert and participatory jam celebrating the summer solstice" starting at 4 p.m.
Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors will offer a neighborhood concert featuring local artists across musical genres from 4 to 8 p.m. at Colorado Center Park, and North of Montana Association (NOMA) will hold a family-friendly celebration with live music and community activities from 5 to 8 p.m. in Palisades Park.
There's still time to register to perform, host or add an event. To register click HERE
Make Music Day was first celebrated in 1982 when France’s Ministry of Culture "dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday," according to the global festival's website.
"They imagined a day where free music would be everywhere, all around each city: street corners, parks, rooftops, gardens, and store fronts.
"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."
Today Make Music Day has turned into a national holiday, as "the country shuts down" and "musicians take over."
"Almost 11% of French people (7 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique, and 64% of the country (43 million people) comes out each year to listen," according to the website.
After debuting in New York 20 years ago, Make Music Day has spread across the country, with 147 U.S. cities taking part last year.
For more information on Make Music Santa Monica click HERE