Highlight
- The Weeknd and Shakira will headline the 2025 Global Citizen Festival.
- Performers include Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist.
- The festival takes place on 27 September at Central Park, New York.
- Hugh Jackman returns as host for his 11th year.
- The campaign aims to mobilise funding for energy access, education, and Amazon rainforest protection.
Global Citizen Festival returns with major headline acts
Global Citizen has announced that The Weeknd and Shakira will headline the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, which will be held on 27 September on Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City. Other confirmed performers include Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist.
Global Citizen ambassador Hugh Jackman will host the festival, marking his 11th year in the role. Additional acts and speakers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival continues its tradition of featuring top global talent, with last year’s lineup including Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, and Raye.
Focus on global action
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival supports a multi-pronged international campaign that aims to:
- Provide energy access for 1 million people across Africa
- Raise $200 million to protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest
- Support education access for 30,000 children worldwide
How to attend
Tickets for the event are free and can be earned by taking action through the Global Citizen app or at globalcitizenfestival.com. Actions include signing petitions, contacting government representatives, and volunteering.
Campaign goals in detail
Goal 1: Expand energy access across Africa
With support from the European Commission and governments including the UK, Denmark, and Australia, Global Citizen aims to mobilise $1.5 billion to train 50,000 young workers in critical energy skills and fund renewable infrastructure projects. These efforts are expected to bring clean electricity to at least 1 million people.
Goal 2: Protect the Amazon rainforest
In partnership with Re:wild, the festival seeks to raise $200 million to support indigenous-led conservation projects, aiming to protect 30 million hectares of rainforest and safeguard over 20 billion trees. The initiative is also calling for financial commitments from the governments of Germany, Norway, and France.
Goal 3: Improve global education access
Working with FIFA, the campaign will raise $30 million to provide at least 30,000 children around the world with access to education. Funds are sourced from public donations, corporate contributions, and ticket sales from events such as The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Community engagement and support
Global Citizen will partner with several New York-based non-profits including:
- Bowery Mission
- Covenant House
- Citymeals on Wheels
- WIN (Women in Need)
- Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
The organisation has also teamed up with Goodera to facilitate 40,000 volunteer sign-ups, with opportunities including career mentorship for young people.
Additional initiatives
One artist from the America’s Next Top Hitmaker competition will be selected to perform at the Global Citizen Festival pre-show. The competition, run in partnership with Colossal, features over 65,000 participants. Public voting closes on 31 July 2025 via tophitmaker.org.
The festival is presented by Cisco, with support from partners including:
- Authentic Brands Group
- Bridgewater Associates
- Delta Air Lines
- PayPal and Venmo
- P&G
- iHeartMedia (exclusive U.S. audio partner)
- Live Nation (production partner)
- New York City Parks (location partner)
Media support is provided by Atmosphere TV, Captivate, Clear Channel, Grocery TV, iHeart Media, PMC (Penske Media Corp), and others.
