Make Music Day returns to Downtown Appleton on Sunday, June 21, for the ninth year. Celebrated worldwide as part of the Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day invites community members to celebrate music in all its diverse forms, and will be hosted on the front lawn of The History Museum at the Castle, 330 E. College Ave., starting at 12:30 p.m.
"We are honored to be among the local organizations bringing our community together for the ninth year of Make Music Day in Appleton," said Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's President and CEO Maria Van Laanen. "Everyone is welcome to be part of and enjoy the various music workshops taking place in Downtown Appleton. Regardless of age, background and ability, music connects us though its own, universal language.”
Held annually on the longest day of the year, Make Music Day (Fête de la Musique) is an international celebration coordinated by the Make Music Alliance and presented by the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants). People of all ages and skill levels across the world engage in music-making opportunities in more than 2,000 cities throughout 120 countries, including 147 cities in the United States. In 2026, people across the country will be engaging in more than 5,000 live and free music-making workshops and events.
“Make Music Day is about increasing awareness of and access to music-making for everyone,” explained DeDe Heid, President at Heid Music. “Music is a powerful force that brings people together, regardless of age, experience, or ability. There is a place for everyone to participate. Our goal is to help people feel welcomed rather than intimidated by the art of making music. We want individuals to discover their own groove, explore their creativity, and experience the joy of being part of something they can create and share with others.”
Appleton’s Make Music Day event will commence with a proclamation at 12:30 p.m. from the Appleton Mayor’s Office, inviting all community members to participate in the day's hands-on music activities. Immediately following the proclamation, attendees are invited to experience an “Instrument Petting Zoo” presented by Heid Music alongside the “Rondini’s Bombastic Bubbles” magic show. All Make Music Appleton events are free and open to the public.
A complete lineup of workshops and events for Make Music Appleton is listed below. All events are subject to change and substitution. For more information on the full schedule of activities for Make Music Day in Appleton, visit www.makemusicday.org/appleton.
All events will take place on the lawn of The History Museum at the Castle, 330 E. College Ave., Appleton, Wisconsin.
All events will take place rain or shine. In the event of rain or other weather circumstances, events will be moved inside the History Museum at the Castle. Make Music Day Appleton is a collaborative effort brought to you by Heid Music, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Mile of Music, and the History Museum at the Castle. For more information on the full schedule of activities for Make Music Day in Appleton, visit www.makemusicday.org/appleton.
ABOUT MAKE MUSIC DAY
Held annually on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, Make Music Day is part of the international Fête de la Musique taking place in more than 2,000 cities across 120 countries. The daylong, musical free-for-all celebrates music in all its forms, encouraging people to band together and play in free public concerts. This year, over 150 U.S. cities and the entire states of Connecticut, Hawaii, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin are organizing Make Music celebrations, encompassing thousands of music-making opportunities nationwide. Make Music Day is presented by The NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the nonprofit Make Music Alliance. For more information, please visit www.makemusicday.org.
ABOUT THE NAMM FOUNDATION
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
SOURCE NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)
ABOUT THE FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural education organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. Since 2002, the Center has proudly served as a multicultural gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of life through the live performing arts. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center — Where the Arts Come Alive!