Make Music New York returns with a diverse lineup of free performances across the state to celebrate the summer solstice on Saturday, June 21.
Make Music Day started 43 years ago in France as a new musical holiday. The Ministry of Culture dreamed of a day where free music lined streets, parks and rooftops. Now known at the Fête de la Musique France, celebrations have spread across the country.
The free festival is open to all ages with a variety of genres performed from folk to rock to blues to classical offered in several locations across New York State.
Albany
Make Music Day in downtown Albany features Lucia and Levi, a rock and jazz group, at Clee Memorial Park from noon to 1 p.m. followed by a performance by Songs of Sisterhood playing blue and jazz at Tricentennial Park from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Clinton Market Collective invites children to play drums with Ruth Pelham and other family friendly acoustic artists from noon to 6 p.m.
Buffalo
Buffalo’s Make Music Day celebration will take place at The Cave on 71 Military road from 7 to 11 p.m. with performances by the Maggie Roston Quintet, Adel Chouchani, Marc & Marcy, Cousins Trio, Marcus Lolo, 5 Birds on a Wire, Buffalo String Works and Ralph Walstrom. Free Admission!
New York City
“Waterway Horns” will present the Shoofly tugboat with a custom-designed Wurlitzer organ and refurbished ship horns and bells along the East River, viewable from shorefronts across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens from 1 to 8 p.m. Complementing the score, live brass and horn performances will amplify the performance at several “stages” along Shoofly’s route: Pier 17 from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m.; Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Granite Prospect from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.; WNYC Transmitter Park from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; and Hunter’s Point South Park from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m.
“24-Hour Sing for the Earth” will take place from noon on Saturday, June 21 until noon on Sunday, June 11 at All-In-One at the Church in Brooklyn. Singers will gather for nonstop music-making in honor of the planet.
“Street Motet No. 1,” a choir piece, takes place on the Upper West Side from 2:15 to 3 p.m. winding through the sidewalks and park pathways ending with a finale performance at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
“Soundscape for the Garden,” an afternoon of piano music inspired by Lily Kwong’s public artwork “Gardens of Renewal,” will go on at Madison Square Park from 3 to 7 p.m.
“Porch Stomp!” will host 18 different locations during Make Music New York from Governors Island. For more information on “Porch Stomp” see here.
For more information about Make Music New York City see here.
Rochester
The House of Guitars and I-Square will host Rochester’s Make Music Day, showcasing rising young artists. Free concerts will go on all say at the I-Square Outdoor Stage.
Troy
Troy’s Make Music Day will celebrate three years of the experience. With several events throughout the day, some notable locations include First, Second and Third Streets, Broadway, Monument Square and River Street all starting at 10 a.m. Troy will also offer the Waterfront Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Troy.
For more information and to see the full lineup of performances in Troy, see here.
Woodstock
Woodstock debuts their first Make Music Day this year at The Mothership Gallery. Starting the night at 5 p.m., Paul McMahon will perform funk, rock and experimental jam music.
Yonkers
Yonkers will feature two library performances for Make Music Day. At Will Library in the Will Children’s Room, award-winning songwriter and performer Zev Haber will perform family music for babies, toddlers and kids from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
At the Crestwood Library Courtyard, the Purchase Brass Trio will play for all ages showcasing a range of brass music from Baroque to Ragtime to Broadway favorites from 5-6 p.m.
For more information about Make Music New York 2025, see here.
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