Apple has launched a series of global celebrations throughout March to mark its 50th anniversary, bringing together artists, creators, and cultural leaders in events held across major cities worldwide. The program officially kicked off on March 13 with a special performance by 17-time Grammy Award-winning singer and producer Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central in New York City. The artist performed some of her most iconic songs on the venue’s historic staircase in a show captured using the iPhone 17 Pro.
Over the course of the month, the company has hosted gatherings designed to showcase human creativity and the role technology plays in artistic expression. In London, at Apple Battersea, DJ, producer, and singer Nia Archives, previously featured as an Apple Music “Up Next” artist, took part in the celebrations. A dedicated Logic Pro user, she has gained recognition for helping revive the jungle music scene and has produced remixes for artists including Jorja Smith and Jamie xx. The event also featured folk rock band Mumford & Sons, winners of major awards such as the Grammy and BRIT Award for Album of the Year. The band recently released its sixth studio album, Prizefighter, which reached No. 1 on the UK album charts.
China
In China, singer, songwriter, and actor Chris Lee was among the highlights of the celebration at Apple Taikoo Li Chengdu. A major figure in Chinese pop culture, Lee has won more than 260 music awards and is known for blending pop, electronic, and alternative sounds. She has previously cited Apple’s iconic “Think Different” campaign as an inspiration for her artistic vision.
Back in New York, Alicia Keys was also recognized for her long-standing commitment to innovation in music. She was one of the first artists to release her catalog in Spatial Audio on Apple Music and has been involved in immersive experiences developed for Apple Vision Pro, offering fans behind-the-scenes insight into her creative process.
Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., Academy Award-winning actor Troy Kotsur, the first deaf male performer to win an Oscar for his role in CODA, joined a discussion on the future of Deaf creativity alongside Roberta Cordano, president of Gallaudet University. The event brought together hundreds of accessibility advocates to reflect on how technology can empower people with disabilities, highlighting features such as wheelchair tracking on Apple Watch and assistive tools available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
Australia
In Australia, Apple announced a yearlong collaboration with the Sydney Opera House aimed at supporting emerging artists. The initiative, titled Illuminating Creativity, transformed the landmark’s iconic sails into a large-scale digital canvas featuring artworks created by 11 emerging Australian artists and members of the public using the Procreate app. The visual experience was accompanied by an original musical score composed by Bailey Pickles using Logic Pro.
Bangkok
In Bangkok, Thai artist Molly Yllom shared her creative journey, which began with traditional sketching and expanded after purchasing her first MacBook Pro during university. Her original character Crybaby has since evolved into a globally recognized artistic universe spanning paintings, sculptures, and visual storytelling projects.
Seoul
Meanwhile in Seoul, rising K-pop group CORTIS met fans at Apple Myeongdong for a special conversation about their artistic path and performed songs from their upcoming album. The group recently released an immersive music experience for Apple Vision Pro, offering audiences unprecedented access to their choreography rehearsals.
According to Apple, additional anniversary activities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the company continues celebrating five decades of technological innovation and cultural impact.
