City of Adelaide will bring the city to life on Saturday 20 June 2026 for Make Music Day, a global celebration of live music.
More than 360 performers across 107 acts will take to 40 venues from morning to midnight, transforming cafes, bars, galleries, bookstores and public spaces into live performance stages.
Building on the success of 2025, this year’s program features a curated mix of genres, cultures and artists—from solo performers and bands to choirs and community groups—appearing in both iconic venues and unexpected locations.
Delivered in partnership with the local music community and Make Music Australia, the program also creates new opportunities for young and emerging artists, culturally diverse musicians, neurodivergent performers and artists living with disability to connect with new audiences.
Part of a global movement that began in France as Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day celebrates the creativity, diversity and energy that define the city as a UNESCO City of Music.Lord Mayor of Adelaide Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said she was looking forward to another successful Make Music Day across the Adelaide CBD and North Adelaide following its debut last year.
“This free festival which showcases bricks and mortar venues will be an expression of Adelaide’s grassroots music culture, music making and supporters of music.” said the Lord Mayor.
“Adelaide’s music scene is world-class for many reasons, but above all it reflects the diversity that defines our city. With a focus on accessibility and inclusion, this festival is for everyone. “From techno to Tarab, we’re home to an extraordinary range of musical traditions, and Make Music Day is about celebrating them all throughout Adelaide for one big day.”
Alex Masso, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Music Association is proud to work with the City of Adelaide as part of the nationwide Make Music Australia campaign. ‘Although Make Music Day is focused on community involvement, the benefits extend much further than the audience and performers. There’s an entire industry dependent on people making and
enjoying music in all forms. City of Adelaide should be commended for providing so many opportunities for people to get involved and show their support.’
Alliance Francaise d’Adelaide will again collaborate with the Adelaide Central Market, where a curated program of music will bring the songs and sounds of France to the city’s premier food destination.
A snapshot of Make Music Day 2026 includes:
Emerging artists and next generation talent
▪ The Metropolitan Hotel (the Metro) will host an All Ages show in partnership with Runt Records, while on Currie Street ARTHUR Bar will showcase Adelaide’s emerging local talent; together highlighting the next wave of artists.
Cultural and community showcases
▪ Nexus Arts delights with a Hafle Arabic event featuring group and solo performances, a vocal choir and traditional Middle Eastern dance, dabke.
▪ Adelaide Migrant Resource Centre will feature an event titled Café Musica, A Million Stories – A Million Songs as part of Refugee Week, marking the arrival of the one millionth refugee to Australia since World War II.
Across the city: unexpected stages
▪ Adelaide Railway Station will bring a pop-up ensemble of 50 young string musicians to morning commuters, followed by the Public Primary Schools Festival of Music Choir performance in the afternoon.
▪ Rundle Mall will host some of Adelaide’s favourite musicians through their City Sessions program across the day.
Live music venues and curated lineups
▪ The Howling Owl will host a neo-soul, funk and jazz lineup.
▪ Revived West End venue TIA Live (formerly the Big Ticket); will host an all-metal lineup including Aboriginal metal band Falter, with support from xGemmini, Death Televised and Nomada, an Adelaide-based band with roots in Colombia. This metal lineup highlights the diversity of SA’s talent across its many thriving creative scenes.
The City of Adelaide is proud to work with our partners Three D Radio, Alliance Francaise and the Australian Music Association along with many community venues and music industry supporters.
Make Music Day delivers on City of Adelaide’s Strategic Plan commitment to amplify Adelaide’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. More information: https://www.experienceadelaide.com.au/make-music-day/
We will be tracking songs as they come in from My Song Is Your Song, a great collaborative project coordinated by our friends from the 
A music podcast based in the Central Coast of NSW, focusing on Australian music and musicians, has featured Make Music Day in this week’s episode.
