Global Citizen Festival returns to Central Park with A‑List line-up including Shakira and The Weeknd as headliners

Global Citizen will host its 2025 Festival on Saturday, September 27, at Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City. The event is reportedly free to attend, if fans must earn tickets by taking action on issues like clean energy, education, and protecting forests. The Weeknd and Shakira are set to headline the show, with Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist also joining the lineup. Hugh Jackman return as the host for the 11th time.

Global Citizen is an international group that works to end extreme poverty. It brings together artists, activists, world leaders, and ordinary people. The Festival blends music with activism. Here, fans sign petitions, share messages, or volunteer to earn free tickets.

Headliners, artists, and host at the Global Citizen Festival

The Weeknd and Shakira will perform the main acts on September 27, 2025. They both are global stars who have done big tours this year. The Weeknd recently wrapped up a sold‑out run at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while Shakira just finished seven packed shows in Mexico City.

Other artists on the bill are Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist, who, it is expected, will bring fresh energy to the festival. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.more acts.

Hugh Jackman, returning for his 11th consecutive year as host, said in a press release:

"The 2025 Global Citizen Festival marks my 11th year as host, and I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made over the years."

Jackman added:

“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.”

Shakira shared her thoughts in a press release,

"I'm honored to headline the incredible Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this September.”

Global Goals and How to Get Tickets

Global Citizen has set clear goals for this year’s Festival:

• Provide clean energy to 1 million people in Africa.
• Raise $200 million to protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest.
• Give 30,000 kids around the world access to quality education and football, in partnership with FIFA.
• Sign up 40,000 volunteers in New York City.

Fans get free tickets by taking real action through the Global Citizen app or website to sign petitions, share videos calling on leaders to act, volunteer locally and earn points that go into ticket lotteries. Tickets are free, but there is also an option to buy VIP tickets for those who want extra perks. Streaming details and more on the full line‑up will be shared later.

This festival is more than music. It started in 2012 and now draws big names like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Coldplay. It aims to use music to spark change. The Festival runs alongside the UN General Assembly to push for policy commitments.

Last year, 2024’s Festival included acts like Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Jelly Roll, and Chris Martin. That show pushed action on poverty, climate, and foreign aid. Global Citizen names major worldwide partners to help with the goals. These include Cisco, Authentic Brands Group, Delta, PayPal, P&G, Live Nation, iHeartMedia, and New York City Parks.

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With headliners like The Weeknd and Shakira, the event is set to draw many attendees. This means more attention as well as help for issues like energy and rainforests coservation, as well as education. For New York City, it also brings local benefits. The volunteer push gives chances to help in schools and communities across the five boroughs. If you want to go, get the app or visit the website, earn your free ticket. Then show up in Central Park to celebrate the festival on the due date.

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