France's Fête de la Musique street party dances to Olympic beat

France's annual Fête de la Musique on 21 June draws large crowds. Here, marching bands perform at the Palais-Royal in Paris, in 2022. Vincent Baillais / MCC

France's annual musical street party, the Fête de la Musique, will have an Olympic ring to it this year as it highlights the team spirit that unites musicians as well as athletes.

Now celebrated in some 120 countries every 21 June, Fête de la Musique – known in English as Music Day – started in France in 1982. It's an occasion for musicians – professional or amateur – to play outdoors, and for local audiences to listen for free.