GALVESTON — Music lovers across Galveston will have something special to look forward to this summer as the island joins more than 150 cities nationwide in hosting Make Music Day—a worldwide celebration of sound, community, and creativity. The inaugural Make Music Galveston will take place Saturday, June 21, bringing a series of free, live performances to streets, parks, and other public spaces throughout the city.

The local event is part of Make Music Day, an international music festival that began in France in 1982 and has since expanded to over 2,000 cities around the globe. Unlike traditional music festivals with ticketed events and headliners, Make Music Day invites musicians of all skill levels—from beginners to professionals—to perform in public, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy music in the most spontaneous and accessible way possible.

In Galveston, the event is the result of a new collaboration between the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, Arts Downtown Galveston, and Visit Galveston. The three organizations formed the local Make Music Alliance earlier this year, aiming to spotlight the island’s vibrant music culture and encourage more community involvement in the arts.

“Artistic talent can be found overflowing the streets during every ArtWalk and throughout the city,” says Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Gina Performance. “Make Music Galveston will give all of our residents and visitors a chance to experience the city’s diverse musical riches in their own backyards – or explore the sights and sounds of other areas across the island.”

Genres are expected to range widely, from folk and classical to Latin jazz, hip hop, punk rock, and more. All performances are open to the public and free of charge.

Musicians and community members interested in participating can register to perform or host an outdoor venue at makemusicday.org/galveston. Registration is open through June 20. A full schedule of events and locations will be published on the same site ahead of the celebration.

Photo credit: Oludeleadewale Photography