Make Music Day is a city-wide music activation coming to Chattanooga on Friday, June 21, 2024.
It is a one-day event where free, live musical performances and musical events take place all around Chattanooga, and around the world, on the longest day of the year. Chattanooga is excited to join this global celebration of music-making alongside more than 1,000 cities, inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique.
This all-day event will feature a blend of live performances, interactive workshops, and diverse music-making activities held across Chattanooga and surrounding areas, with each activity hosted by members or organizations within the local music community. Below are some highlights we think you should know about!
Find out where to catch amazing local acts throughout the day on Make Music Day Chattanooga's website.
Make Music Day Chattanooga Day Events:
Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum
Songbirds will be hosting Jazz Futures, an innovative event blending performance with immersive education. Jazz Futures invites jazz enthusiasts to the listening room and aspiring musicians to the stage to collaborate with seasoned professionals, shaping a local network to keep jazz alive. This event will be hosted by Dakari Kelly, a local star, touring musician, and founder of the Jazz Futures program.
Creative Discovery Museum
Creative Discovery Museum will be featuring artist Rick Rushing. Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers is a Blues trio from Chattanooga, Tennessee, blending Blues, Jazz, Rock, and Rhythm to create an uplifting musical experience. Rick is related to the legendary Jimmy Rushing, a renowned Blues shouter and vocalist for the Count Basie Big Band.
Information Center - Aquarium Plaza
The Chattanooga Visitors Information Center at Aquarium Plaza will be hosting live music in the early afternoon! Stop by and talk to our Chattanooga Concierges to get more tips on the best spots for live, local music while you are here - they know the skinny on everything from brunch jams, to jazz nights, to locals only shows, and so much more.
Gate 11 Distillery – Calling All Monsters
At Gate 11 musicians will be paired up and switching off for a showcase of impromptu collaboration that is heavy on improvisation and short on rehearsal. You can tour the distillery, sip some award-winning spirits, and watch the fun from 4-7pm.
Make Music Day - After Dark:
Nightfall
Groove to the sounds of DK Harrell and Skip Cisto Band at Nightfall, Chattanooga’s free, live music extravaganza by Chattanooga Presents in Miller Park. Celebrating its 37th season in 2024, Nightfall features a broad spectrum of musical genres performed by superior national and international artists, who are performing in our city for the first time on the Miller Plaza stage.
DK Harrell, who is dedicated to the preservation of traditional blues music, brings his musical perspective to the world with the message that younger generations have the blues too. Skip Cistco plays raw, powerful, heartfelt blues. Music will start around seven, but gates will open at 6 for a local vendors market.
Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga
From 5pm-9pm, join the folks at Kitchen Incubator, a food-centric startup space, for an unforgettable evening filled with the soulful sounds of Karen Collins featuring Sam Patton & Friends! This event will feature local food vendors for a harmonious fusion between sonic and culinary delights.
Wanderlinger Brewing Company
Wanderlinger will have a jam-packed schedule on Make Music Day. Live music will start at noon and go until at least 8pm. Kick back with a crisp glass of Blackberry Hug and enjoy the eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, and R&B.
