The annual event returns to Central Park on September 27th
Just days after producing the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup halftime show, international advocacy organization Global Citizen announces the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, set to take place on Central Park’s Great Lawn on September 27th. The Weeknd and Shakira will headline this year’s festival, with performances by Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist. Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman will host the event, with additional participants to be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival campaign will focus on providing energy access for one million people across Africa, ensuring 30,000 children around the world can access a quality education and football, in partnership with FIFA, mobilizing $200 million to protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, and registering 40,000 New Yorkers to volunteer across the city. Tickets to the Global Citizen Festival are free and can be earned by taking action on these issues on the Global Citizen app or at globalcitizenfestival.com.
“I’m honored to headline the incredible Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this September. Music has always been my way of connecting with people and leaving a mark on the world. I can’t wait to perform, unite, and inspire action,” Shakira says.
“The 2025 Global Citizen Festival marks my eleventh year as host, and I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made over the years,” adds Hugh Jackman, Global Citizen Ambassador. “The growing impact of the Global Citizen movement touches every corner of the world, and I’m eager to advocate alongside my fellow ambassadors, performers, world leaders, and private sector executives to leave the world better than we found it.”
The Global Citizen Festival is presented by Cisco. Major partners are Authentic Brands Group, Bridgewater Associates, Delta Air Lines, PayPal and Venmo, and P&G; Production Partner Live Nation; Exclusive U.S. Audio Partner iHeartMedia; and Location Partner New York City Parks. The 2025 Global Citizen Festival is produced by Emmy Award-winning production companies Done+Dusted and Diversified Production Services.
Fans can earn free tickets by downloading the app and taking action towards providing energy access for one million people across Africa, mobilizing $200 million to protect 30 million Hectares of the Amazon rainforest, and providing access to education for 30,000 children around the world.
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival campaign is also calling on governments, philanthropies, and the private sector to fund essential services of healthcare, nutrition, and safe classrooms that make it possible for children to access educational opportunities.
Global Citizen is the world’s leading international advocacy organisation on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday advocates raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Since the movement began, $49 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen’s team operates from New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg, Lagos and beyond.
We’re SO back. #GlobalCitizenFestival returns to Central Park Sept 27 — with @theweeknd, @shakira, @Tyllaaaaaaa, @ayrastarr & Mariah the Scientist lighting up NYC. Oh, and guess who’s hosting? 👀 Our very own Global Citizen Ambassador, @RealHughJackman.
🎟️ Better yet, tickets… pic.twitter.com/3VnUcTtzdv
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) July 22, 2025
