Fête de la Musique Gera

An International Idea in Thuringia

The Fête de la Musique was launched in Paris in 1982 and is now a global movement: Every year on June 21st — the summer solstice — the city centers of numerous cities transform into open-air stages. Over 500 cities worldwide participate, including Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, Eisenach, and Gera in Thuringia.

Gera — the "City of Arts" in the Vogtland

Gera, with around 92,000 inhabitants, is the third-largest city in Thuringia, located in the Vogtland region and the birthplace of the painter Otto Dix. The city has a rich industrial and cultural history and sees itself as the "City of Arts." The Fête de la Musique fits seamlessly into this self-image — as a deliberately accessible city festival that includes all generations.

20 Venues, One Day, Free Admission

On June 21st, 2026, bands, solo artists, and ensembles will perform free of charge at around 20 venues in Gera's city center. The market square, Johannisstraße, Klosterhof, small courtyards, and churches will become stages. The styles range from jazz and classical to rock and pop, world music, Caribbean sounds, and singer-songwriter concerts.

No Fees, No Admission — Purely for the Joy of Music

The principle is programmatic: Musicians perform without fees or remuneration, and the audience pays no admission. The Fête de la Musique thrives on direct contact between musicians and the audience, spontaneous encounters, and the diversity of a single day. The organizer is the association Musik für Gera e.V., which collaborates with the city's cultural office.

Summer Solstice and City Festival Culture

With its fixed date on June 21st — the day of the summer solstice — the Fête de la Musique joins a series of summer events that shape Gera as a culturally active city in eastern Thuringia. It is one of the city's most important musical open-air events and, at the same time, a statement for accessible, democratic festival culture.