Fête de la Musique in Nanterre

The Fête de la Musique in Nanterre: A Multicultural Celebration

Every June 21st, the city of Nanterre enthusiastically embraces the national Fête de la Musique. Founded in 1982 at the initiative of Jack Lang, this popular festival takes on a particularly rich color in Nanterre thanks to the cultural diversity and associative vitality of a city of 95,000 inhabitants rooted in the heart of the Greater Paris metropolitan area.

An Eclectic and Multicultural Program

The Fête de la Musique in Nanterre is distinguished by the variety and authenticity of its musical offerings. The program encompasses numerous styles and cultures: African percussion, contemporary choirs, Senegalese rap, jazz, pop-rock, classical music, and flamenco. This diversity reflects that of the inhabitants and associations that make up Nanterre's cultural richness.

The Maison de la Musique de Nanterre

A major artistic education institution in the city, the Maison de la Musique de Nanterre plays a central role in the Fête de la Musique. Its teachers and students perform in various venues across the city, offering the public concerts of high artistic quality: string trios, voice-guitar duos, flamenco workshops, guitar and accordion classes. These performances highlight the music education provided throughout the year.

The Neighborhoods Come Alive

The unique aspect of the Fête de la Musique in Nanterre is its integration into the city's neighborhoods. Starting at 11:30 AM, music fills several Nanterre spaces simultaneously, allowing residents to enjoy concerts close to home. Cultural centers, neighborhood squares, media libraries, and green spaces become ephemeral stages for this festive day.

The Pierre-et-Marie-Curie Media Library

The Pierre-et-Marie-Curie Media Library hosts special musical events for the whole family each year. Dance conferences, workshops for discovering traditional dances, and interactive performances enrich the musical program and offer a broader approach to culture.

Nanterre, a City of Culture and Creation

Nanterre is a city with a special relationship with culture. Home to the Paris-Nanterre university, host of the street festival Parade(s) — one of the most important in Île-de-France — and a hub for the performing arts with its numerous companies and cultural associations, Nanterre has cultivated a strong artistic vocation for decades. The Fête de la Musique is part of this tradition of popular and accessible culture, free and open to all.

Admission is completely free at all venues, in line with the original spirit of the Fête de la Musique.