The streets of Paris and the pulse of music. The cultural moment that is Fête de la Musique

The first time I heard about Fête de la Musique was in 2021 from a friend who grew up in France.

Music had always been a primary form of connection for us, so in a normal conversation discussing upbringing, cultures amongst other things - I was fascinated by the idea of growing up somewhere that honours and celebrates music from around the world. I’m Gloria, a community manager here at ourppls. This June I got to experience my second Fête and it only felt right to share this with you.

Although World Music Day (21st June) is not an exclusive experience to Paris or France, its’ origins date back to 1982 with a goal to make music accessible to all by the French Ministry of Culture. This year, they took it a step further introducing France Music Week, a week full of concerts, music storytelling and professional discussions all culminating in free concerts and celebrations across the country on Fête de la Musique. 

Attending solo in 2022 sparked the need to make this a personal yearly occasion - a chance to roam the streets, follow your ears and bask in the beauty of spontaneity. All free and accessible during the day might I add! Having grown in popularity after viral videos and trends last year, it’s a no-brainer that the start of summer 2025 for a lot of us was in the streets of Paris. Not only is it a day to celebrate but equally a platform for DJ’s, curators, artists and event organizers to share their sound, culture, identity and niche with a mass audience. There’s something for everyone - quite literally. Whether it’s the 60 year old man setting up on his porch with a vinyl record player or the upcoming artist looking to step into a new scene, the options are endless for the experience you are seeking. Serendipitous moments feel like they’re at the tips of your fingers and a full playlist awaits you on the other side. Music genres sprinkled across arrondissements and the possibility of reuniting with old friends or making new ones make the day what it is. 

Is it overwhelming to choose where to go or not to go? Definitely, but communities such as WNDRLST with their FDLM guide and the Let’s Vibe Community whatsapp channel are examples of many people who made it incredibly effortless for those coming from outside France to not only navigate the city but link-up and create a memory set to last a lifetime. Exploring music, food and culture all at once is what makes this day special.

Pictures by: Hotel Zamara / Film Abdi / Nimbles Archive

It’s undeniable if you attended this year that you experienced what feels like and is a cultural zeitgeist. The streets came alive from dusk till dawn and the pulse of music kept us moving, dancing and feeling all day long. I can’t wait to experience it all over again next year and maybe we’ll see you then too. In case you’re not yet convinced, here’s a quick visualizer to help you set the scene.