Germany's Fête de la Musique draws 4 million visitors in record-setting day of free concerts across 180 cities
More than 75,000 musicians performed at 45,000 concerts in over 180 German towns and cities, drawing an estimated four million visitors on June 21, according to the national network that coordinates the event.
Record-breaking edition
Germany's annual Fête de la Musique reached new heights this year, with roughly four million people attending free outdoor performances across the country. The Bundesnetzwerk Fête de la Musique Deutschland reported that 75,000 musicians took part in 45,000 concerts in more than 180 municipalities on 21 June. The scale marks the largest edition of the event ever recorded in Germany.
Enabling people to participate in, encounter and exchange ideas about music is our concern.
The declaration from Antje Valentin, Secretary General of the German Music Council, accompanied the release of the figures. Organisers described the turnout as a demonstration of the public's appetite for accessible, community-based culture.
Berlin and beyond
Berlin alone saw thousands of visitors attend over 1,000 concerts, according to local reports. The capital's dense network of street-corner stages, courtyards and parks hosted everything from classical ensembles to electronic DJs, reflecting the festival's genre-blind ethos.
Beyond Berlin, the 180 participating cities ranged from major hubs like Hamburg and Munich to smaller towns, making it one of the most decentralised cultural events on the German calendar. No central ticket system exists; all performances are free and open to the public.
A French tradition goes global
The Fête de la Musique was founded in France in 1982 and has since spread to more than 1,000 cities worldwide. The German edition, coordinated by the federal network, has grown steadily and now stands as one of the largest national offshoots.
- Fête de la Musique founded in France
- Record attendance in Germany: 75,000 musicians, 4 million visitors across 180 cities
