Global Citizen 2025: The Stars to See and How to Get Involved

by Aleisha Flores

AUG 24 2025

On September 27, the Global Citizen Festival will return to Central Park’s Great Lawn for another star-studded event. This year’s star-studded lineup is headlined by The Weeknd and Shakira, who are music icons in their own right. It will also see legendary actor Hugh Jackman hosting the event for the 11th year in a row. Joining them are the “Queen of Popiano” Tyla, afropop darling Ayra Starr and sultry R&B singer Mariah the Scientist.

But the Global Citizen Festival isn’t just about bringing together some of music’s biggest names – as an international advocacy organization, Global Citizen aims to eradicate extreme poverty worldwide.

It’s strategically timed to take place during the United Nations General Assembly, also in New York City, to maximize pressure on government, corporate and philanthropic leaders to take action. This year, the festival aims to hit three goals: provide access to energy to 1 million people in Africa, raising $200 million to support Indigenous-led efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest and fund education for 30,000 kids around the world.

Additionally, the festival is also aiming to register 40,000 volunteers across New York City who can take actions towards those goals and potentially win festival tickets. And while tickets can be purchased, general admission festival tickets are free, but fans have to “earn” free tickets by downloading the Global Citizen app.

Each artist on the lineup also has causes they are working to support in collaboration with Global Citizen.

The Weeknd, who first performed at Global Citizen 2018, has supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund by donating $1 from every ticket sold for his After Dusk Til Dawn Tour. This year, his focus areas are defeating poverty and protecting the planet.

Shakira has taken Global Citizen stage around the world in person and virtually over the years to raise money for education access, food security, women’s rights and public health. 

Tyla is making her Global Citizen debut in September with the goal of defeating poverty and defending the planet from climate change.

Ayra Starr, who first performed at Global Citizen’s Power Our Planet event in Paris in 2023, is continuing her commitment to urging powerful countries and regular people to tackle climate change.

And Mariah the Scientist, who will also be making her Global Citizen debut and released her latest album "HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY" last week, also selected fighting climate change and poverty as her priority issues.

Those eligible for free tickets can enter draws from August 19 to September 1, September 2 to 15 and September 16 to 22. In addition to free ticket draws, GA and VIP tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster starting at $99. You can learn more about the available ticket tiers here.