Hit the right notes with Make Music Day

June 21st is the longest day, so what better way to mark the extended hours of daylight than as part of a worldwide celebration of music. 

Make Music Day was launched in France in 1982, it is now held on the same day each year in more than 1,000 cities and towns in 120 countries. 

Make Music Day is unlike any other music festival – it is open to young and old, amateur and professional, to play music of any genre. People gather in public places, on streets, in parks and porches to share their music and it’s all free and fun. 

There are several themes for this year including electronic music, music in libraries, performing in rural locations and sharing it online and performing the Make Music Day anthem, Morecambe & Wise’s Bring Me Sunshine where musicians are encouraged to perform weird and wonderful versions in unusual places. 

Abingdon is hosting a variety of events to celebrate Make Music Day starting with a drumming workshop at Abingdon Library at 2pm. From 3.30pm, there are music workshops in the Guildhall Rooms including song-writing, ukulele, fiddle playing, singing and body music.  

A range of local musicians will take to an outdoor stage in the Market Place from 5-9pm and in the evening the music will spread to the local pubs and venues with a blues jam, a band night for teen artists, acoustic acts and more – and all for free! 

Join accordionist Pete Watson at Oxfordshire County Library, Queen Street, Oxford, for a live performance in your lunch time from 12.30pm-1pm.