Fête de la Musique in Berlin 2023: Back to the Roots

The summer in Berlin traditionally kicks off with the Fête de la Musique. In 2023, the grand festival celebrating music throughout the city is returning to its roots. This year, street music will be heard everywhere, embracing the original idea of the event. Whether you’re into rock, pop, hip-hop, soul, singer-songwriters, jazz, or electronic beats, there’s something for everyone on June 21st. And for those with open ears, there may be a few hidden gems to discover. Here are the key details about Fête de la Musique 2023 in Berlin.

Fête de la Musique in Berlin: No need for big stages or famous names

“There’s no need for big stages or famous names to promote the spirit of Fête in Berlin. On the contrary, without overshadowing headliners, we can draw attention to all the amazing places and projects that make music possible throughout the city,” says Björn Döring, the curator of Fête de la Musique.

In 2023, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is the partner district for Fête de la Musique. Here, too, the motto is “Back to the Roots.” Nowhere else in Berlin is music loved, lived, and celebrated as much as in this district. “Kreuzberg was the first district where streets had to be closed by the police because so many people flocked to the stages,” Döring recalls.

Friedrichshain quickly followed suit. Today, both sides of the Oberbaumbrücke showcase the full spectrum of Fête, from the Passionskirche to Golgatha in Viktoriapark (one of the first Fête stages ever), to Bürgergarten Laskerwiese and established clubs like Ritter Butzke, Yaam, and Badehaus. The diversity is what characterizes this twin district.

Berlin and the music festival are a perfect match. While the idea is implemented in numerous cities across Europe, the capital undoubtedly hosts the biggest party. Even the organizers in Paris, the birthplace of Fête where it first took place on June 21st, 1982, look in awe at Berlin: In 2019, there were more concerts here than in Paris.

Without street music, Berlin would be “considerably less lively, sadder, and duller”

In 2023, street music will take center stage. Because without street music, Berlin would be “considerably less lively, sadder, and duller,” says Döring. This form of music has already gained recognition and is practiced at a very high artistic level in Berlin. Pan flutes and “El Condor Pasa” belong to the past. Today, street music is a creative engine of the city, representing an authentic urban sound. Good street music can be heard throughout the summer in Berlin, but on June 21st, 2023, there will be an abundance of it at Fête de la Musique.

Fête de la Musique 2023: The Details

Fête de la Musique will take place on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, throughout Berlin, with a significant number of stages in this year’s partner district, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. We will showcase our highlights for Fête de la Musique, and you can find the complete program and further information here.