Global Citizen Festival 2025

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International advocacy organization Global Citizen, 2025 Global Citizen Festival is set to take place on Central Park’s Great Lawn. 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.

Announced September 4th, Bill Nye, Adam Lambert, Danai Gurira, and Liza Koshy will join the festival as cohosts. Speakers set to participate include Kristen Bell, Tony Goldwyn, Laurie Hernandez, Nate Burleson, and Vladimir Duthiers, as well as Lydia Kekeli Amenyaglo, Fy Rajaonarivelo, Esther Kimani, Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Valeriia Rachynska, and Taily Terena. Additionally, Colombian singer-songwriter and musician Colombian singer-songwriter and musician Camilo will also join the music lineup.

The 2025 Global Citizen Festival campaign will focus on providing energy access for 1 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.

To earn free tickets to the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, download the Global Citizen app or visit globalcitizenfestival.com and take action towards three campaign goals:

• Goal 1: Provide Energy Access for 1 Million People Across Africa
• Goal 2: Mobilize $200 Million to Protect 30 Million Hectares of the Amazon Rainforest
• Goal 3: Provide 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. The Global Citizen Festival proudly supports and partners with mission-aligned nonprofit organizations across New York’s five boroughs, including: Bowery Mission, Breaking Ground, Citymeals on Wheels, Covenant House, Henry Street Settlement, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA), South Bronx Unite and WIN (Women in Need, Inc). Additionally, Global Citizen is partnering with Goodera to drive 40,000 to sign-up for volunteer opportunities to earn points towards festival tickets by providing career development mentorship for young people around the world, such as resume guidance, and interview coaching.

Volunteer Opportunities (Earn Free Tickets)

There are two opportunities to volunteer in the lead-up to the 2025 Global Citizen Festival. All participating volunteers will earn a free ticket to the 2025 Global Citizen Festival.

1. Global Citizen Day at The Bowery Mission, September 13th Register Here!

Global Citizen is partnering with The Bowery Mission to host a Global Citizen Day on Saturday, September 13. This hands-on volunteer opportunity is part of our broader effort to engage New Yorkers in meaningful community action across the five boroughs as part of the festival campaign, while also providing nutrition, care, and dignity for those living in poverty in our local communities.

Throughout the day, volunteers will assist with meal service, food prep, and sorting clothing donations, directly supporting the Bowery Mission’s mission of compassion and care for New Yorkers in need.

2. Canarsie Pier Beach Cleanup, September 19th Register Here!

Global Citizen, in partnership with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, supported by Goodera, alongside the Black Surfing Association East Coast Chapter, will host a shoreline cleanup at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Canarsie Pier on Friday, September 19th.

This initiative offers a hands-on way to defend the planet and help protect New York City’s coastline. Global citizens who participate can earn free festival tickets by helping to remove trash and marine debris from the shores, contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Jamaica Bay for wildlife and future generations. Together, we’ll uplift community stewardship and demonstrate the power of local action to drive meaningful environmental change and defend the planet.

Open to the Public. Tickets via Global Citizen App