Celebrate Make Music Day on June 21

Welcome summer with a day (and night) of live, outdoor music

Make Music Day is an international celebration of making music happening on the longest day of the year and Salem plays its part for an eighth consecutive year.

This one-day event offers free, live performances and opportunities to make music. It takes place outdoors throughout Salem on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, June 21.

Salem is one of more than 1,000 cities worldwide inspired by Fête de la Musique, which began in France in 1982.

More than 160 area musicians, from professional to those who have never picked up an instrument, will perform in over 250 performances at over 50 host venues. Locations range from the heart of the city in downtown Salem, to alleys, parks and neighborhoods in North, South, East and West Salem.

Special highlights include performances by Portland Samba Ensemble, The Beat Goes On Marching Band and an appearance by The Unipiper.

Additionally, mass appeal events encourage all to participate in the music-making merriment. Explore found sound alley, bucket drumming, a ukulele jam, harmonica give-away and play-along, kazoo give-away, jumbie jams (steel pan drum) experience, the Orgelkids organ bike and stridulations among other interactive activities.

Click here for a printable schedule of events. View the schedule by artist or genre at the Make Music website here.

Make Music Salem is a nonprofit, volunteer-run effort. Become part of the worldwide music celebration as a volunteer, sponsor or donor (sponsorship and donations are tax-deductible). Click here for more information.