The rhythm of change is set to electrify New York City’s Central Park in 2025. Global superstar Shakira, alongside dynamic rapper Cardi B, will headline the much-anticipated Global Citizen Festival. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a powerful movement uniting 60,000 attendees for a singular mission: to eradicate extreme poverty and combat climate change. Dive into how this iconic event blends world-class entertainment with urgent global activism, transforming the Great Lawn into a rallying cry for justice and sustainability.
Uniting for a Cause: The Global Citizen Vision
The Global Citizen Festival stands apart from typical music events. It’s the flagship initiative of Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization dedicated to mobilizing collective action against extreme poverty. Since its inception, this movement has inspired billions in commitments and profoundly impacted countless lives worldwide. The 2025 festival in Central Park continues this powerful tradition. It harnesses the universal language of music to drive tangible progress on the world’s most pressing issues.
Attendees don’t simply buy tickets; they earn them. This unique “action-based” model requires fans to actively support social causes. Participants sign petitions, volunteer their time, or advocate for policy changes through the Global Citizen app or website. This innovative approach ensures that every person in the crowd is an engaged advocate. It transforms passive entertainment into purposeful participation.
A Legacy of Impact and Ambition
The festival’s enduring success is built on a simple yet profound philosophy. Small individual actions, when multiplied across a passionate global community, can create monumental change. Host Hugh Jackman, a Global Citizen Ambassador returning for his eleventh year, perfectly encapsulated this sentiment. He stated, “A lot of people wonder, can I make a difference if I sign that petition? Does it really help if I vote, if I clean up that beach? Yes, it makes a difference, and tonight is the proof of it.” His words resonate deeply, underscoring the festival’s core belief in collective power.
For 2025, Global Citizen has set ambitious, impactful goals. These include securing clean energy access for one million people across Africa and raising $200 million to safeguard 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest. Furthermore, the campaign aims to provide quality education and football opportunities for 30,000 children globally. A significant push will also be made to register 40,000 New Yorkers to volunteer in their local communities, demonstrating the global mission’s local roots.
Star Power Meets Purpose: The 2025 Lineup
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival boasts an electric lineup designed to captivate and inspire. Colombian icon Shakira, celebrated for her distinctive voice and dynamic stage presence, is a headliner. Her performance is expected to be a highlight, blending global hits with heartfelt messages about social responsibility. Shakira expressed her honor to connect with people through music and ignite action.
Joining her as a headliner is Bronx-born rapper Cardi B, bringing her signature energy and “all the DRAMA” to her home city. Cardi B stepped in following the withdrawal of The Weeknd, who cited “personal reasons.” She expressed excitement about helping children globally, coinciding with the upcoming release of her sophomore album, Am I The Drama?. This star pairing promises a truly unforgettable experience.
A Diverse Roster of Talent and Advocacy
Beyond the headliners, the festival’s stage will feature a diverse array of global talent. Performances from Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo, Elyanna, and a special appearance by ROSÉ will ensure a vibrant musical landscape. Each artist brings their unique voice to amplify the festival’s critical message.
The event isn’t solely about music. A distinguished roster of co-hosts and speakers will amplify the calls to action. Science communicator Bill Nye, actors Adam Lambert, Danai Gurira, Liza Koshy, Kristen Bell, and Tony Goldwyn are all slated to participate. Advocates like Lydia Kekeli Amenyaglo and Taily Terena will share powerful stories, illustrating the urgent stakes of the festival’s mission. These voices ensure the message of global justice resonates alongside the melodies.
Driving Real-World Change: Specific Goals and Commitments
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival is precisely focused on generating measurable impact. Beyond raising awareness, it aims to secure concrete commitments from governments, philanthropies, and the private sector. Hugh Evans, Global Citizen’s co-founder and CEO, has set an ambitious target to raise the first $30 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This initiative aims to educate an impressive 100,000 children worldwide by the next World Cup final.
Key partners like Cisco, Authentic Brands Group, Bridgewater Associates, Delta Air Lines, PayPal, Venmo, and P&G provide crucial support. Live Nation serves as the Production Partner, ensuring a seamless event. These collaborations highlight the cross-sector commitment required to tackle complex global challenges. The festival’s ability to convene leaders from music, entertainment, public policy, and corporate sectors is central to its effectiveness.
Resilience and Community Spirit
Despite logistical challenges, including significant damage to Central Park’s Great Lawn from heavy rain during the 2023 festival, the event continues. This resilience underscores the unwavering commitment to its core mission. The festival fosters a powerful sense of community. Over 40,000 New Yorkers alone signed up to volunteer, with countless more participating globally. Harlem resident Gregory Turner summed up the sentiment, stating, “I think these types of things are what bring people together in real life, and we need to do more of that.”
For those unable to attend in person, the Global Citizen Festival will be streamed live. Viewers can tune in on YouTube and Apple Music, ensuring the message reaches a worldwide audience. This global accessibility extends the festival’s reach far beyond Central Park, creating a truly interconnected movement. Performances are scheduled from 4 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Shakira’s Enduring Advocacy and Future Impact
Shakira’s role at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival exemplifies how influential artists can be powerful agents of social change. Her ability to blend chart-topping music with passionate advocacy creates a unique platform. She transforms a concert into a global rallying cry. Her performance, set against a backdrop of urgent global challenges, highlights the intersection of activism and artistry. This synergy resonates deeply with fans and inspires tangible action.
The festival’s innovative model, empowering fans to earn their way in through meaningful contributions, reinforces a vital belief. Every individual, regardless of their background, possesses the potential to be a catalyst for change. As the final notes echo over Central Park, the momentum for action remains palpable. The Global Citizen Festival stands as a vivid reminder that the fusion of culture and cause can spark real-world impact. It’s about one song, one action, and one united crowd at a time. This event offers a powerful moment of unity in a world often beset by division.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Citizen Festival’s unique approach to ticket access?
The Global Citizen Festival employs a distinctive “action-based” ticketing model. Instead of purchasing tickets, attendees earn their entry by actively participating in social causes. This involves taking meaningful actions like signing petitions, volunteering for community initiatives, or advocating for policy changes through the Global Citizen app or website. This method ensures that every festival-goer is directly engaged in the movement to end extreme poverty and address climate change.
Where and when will the 2025 Global Citizen Festival take place, and how can I watch it?
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival is scheduled for September 27th in Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City. The performances are slated from 4 P.M. to 10 P.M. For those unable to attend in person, the entire festival will be streamed live globally. You can watch the event on platforms such as YouTube and Apple Music, ensuring that its message and music reach an international audience committed to global change.
How does the Global Citizen Festival make a real-world impact on its global goals?
The Global Citizen Festival drives real-world impact by setting ambitious, measurable goals and securing commitments from global leaders. For 2025, key targets include providing clean energy access for one million people in Africa, raising $200 million to protect the Amazon rainforest, and offering quality education for 30,000 children globally. Additionally, a $30 million fundraising goal for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to educate 100,000 children by the next World Cup final. The festival leverages its platform to mobilize pledges from governments, philanthropies, and the private sector.
The Global Citizen Festival remains a testament to the power of collective action and celebrity advocacy. It continues to push boundaries, inspiring millions to engage with critical global issues. Through music, art, and unwavering commitment, this movement provides hope and tangible solutions for a better world.
