Fête de la Musique Magdeburg

Magdeburg Sounds — June 21st, Free, Everywhere

The Fête de la Musique is a global movement founded in Paris in 1982 on the initiative of the then French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang. The idea: On June 21st — the astronomical start of summer, the longest day of the year — an entire city transforms into an open stage for handmade music. Admission is free everywhere, and musicians perform without a fee.

In Magdeburg, the Fête has been held since 2003 — the 24th edition will take place in 2026. The organizer is the association Aktion Musik e.V., a civil society initiative. Performance venues are spread throughout the city — the Klosterbergegarten is the main stage, along with the Feuerwache Sudenburg, the Yachthafen (marina), Café Weinzeit, Café Flair, and many other locations, from backyards to squares to restaurants.

All Genres Allowed

The program principle is open: Classical, Folk, HipHop, Pop, Jazz, Indie, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, World Music — anything handmade is allowed. Both ambitious amateurs and professional musicians perform on the stages. Registration runs annually until March 15th — venues can apply until February 28th.

The State Capital of Saxony-Anhalt in a Musical Fever

Magdeburg on the Elbe is the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The mix of university city, industrial city, and cathedral city creates a diverse musical culture — from the classical music of the Cathedral Festival to the indie scene around the Campus Festival to the jazz underground. The Fête de la Musique is the open format that brings everything together and turns the entire city into a stage on June 21st.