A Global Movement Comes to Laredo

Make Music Laredo is part of a transformative international celebration rooted in France's Fête de la Musique, a tradition launched in 1982. The festival has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon spanning over 750 cities across 120 countries, and Laredo has been officially recognized as a Make Music city since 2020 when the Mayor's Office proclaimed June 21 as Make Music Day.

The Festival Model

Unlike traditional music festivals that rely on curated lineups and dedicated stages, Make Music Laredo operates on a radically democratic principle: anyone can participate, regardless of age, experience level, or musical genre. No auditions required. No entry fees. No barriers to participation. This approach transforms the entire city into a concert venue, activating unexpected performance spaces and creating spontaneous musical encounters throughout Laredo.

The Venues

Performances happen across the urban landscape—at coffee houses, art galleries, shopping plazas, retail stores, beer gardens, and street corners. This dispersed model encourages musical discovery beyond traditional concert halls. The festival spans multiple indoor and outdoor venues, with some locations specifically marked as accessible for people with disabilities. Rain accommodations are available at all indoor locations, ensuring the celebration continues regardless of weather.

Musical Diversity

The 2026 lineup reflects Laredo's musical richness, spanning brass ensembles (956 Brass), classical groups (Gateway City Strings), theatrical performances (Laredo Little Theater), jazz, rock, pop, electronic music, indie-folk, and musical theater. Featured artists include Joel Izquierdo, Luis Daniel Parra, Charlie Saucedo, Bon Bon Saucedo, Gardens Gate, and Big Drum Jam. This breadth celebrates the principle that music exists in all genres and that amateur and professional musicians alike have valuable contributions to share.

Community Coordination

The event is coordinated by the City of Laredo, the Laredo Cultural District, and numerous partners including the Laredo Center for the Arts, Pan American Arts Complex, the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Morales Fine and Performing Arts. Musicians register online to secure their performance times and locations, taking creative responsibility for their presentations. This model encourages artistic autonomy while maintaining community coordination, allowing performers to leverage existing relationships or create entirely new performance spaces.

Why June 21

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, symbolically representing the celebration of light—musical light in this case. It's a date recognized worldwide by Make Music Alliance participants, creating a sense of simultaneity and global connection even as each city celebrates locally.