This Saturday, September 27, the world’s eyes turn to New York City as the 2025 Global Citizen Festival lights up the Great Lawn in Central Park. Known for its rare blend of powerhouse live performances and life-changing activism, the festival has become a global beacon for music lovers and change-makers alike.

This year’s lineup is as bold as the cause it champions. Fans will see Cardi B step in as a headliner, taking the slot originally held by The Weeknd, alongside Shakira, Rosé of BLACKPINK (in a special appearance), Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo, and Elyanna. Each artist brings their own energy, culture, and global fanbase, making the event a true reflection of international unity.

Guiding the evening is none other than Hugh Jackman, returning for his 11th year as host. He’ll be joined by an all-star roster of presenters and speakers including Bill Nye, Adam Lambert, Danai Gurira, Kristen Bell, Liza Koshy, Tony Goldwyn, Nate Burleson, Vladimir Duthiers, and Laurie Henderson. Their presence adds weight to the message: music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a platform for real-world change.

For those lucky enough to attend in person, most tickets were earned through the Global Citizen app. By signing petitions, sharing campaigns, and taking small but meaningful actions, fans collected points that could be redeemed for ticket drawings. The final draw closed September 25, but general admission tickets are still available for purchase. It’s a model that proves activism and music can go hand in hand, rewarding everyday citizens for using their voices.

If you can’t make it to Central Park, the experience comes directly to you. Global live streams begin at 2 p.m. EDT on September 27 across YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music En Vivo, iHeartRadio, ViX, Veeps, and the Global Citizen app and website. Whether you’re at home, at a watch party, or on the go, you’ll be able to soak up every note and every call to action.

The festival is about more than a concert—it’s about driving change on issues like ending extreme poverty, combating climate change, and advancing human rights. Fans earned their way in by taking simple steps such as signing petitions, sending tweets to world leaders, and completing multi-day “Journeys” that deepen engagement and knowledge. Those actions add up, creating collective pressure that Global Citizen leverages to push for real policy shifts worldwide.

The platform’s points system turns activism into an interactive experience. Each action earns points, which can then be traded for chances to win festival tickets. Frequent participants unlock higher-level rewards—Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers that come with bonus perks and exclusive opportunities. It’s a system that proves activism can be both impactful and rewarding.

The Global Citizen Festival has always been about more than who’s on stage. It’s about what happens after the lights go down. By merging some of the biggest names in music with critical global conversations, the event leaves audiences not only entertained but also motivated to keep pushing for change.

And after the festival? Keep the spirit alive with JamFest’s Festival Radio Show. Every Thursday night is Festival Night, streaming over eight hours of nonstop live music from legendary festivals around the world. It’s the perfect way to relive those magical nights and discover sets from the festivals you’ve loved and attended throughout the years.

This weekend, New York City becomes the epicenter of music and activism, where beats and voices combine to amplify the call for a better world. Whether you’re in Central Park or watching from your living room, the 2025 Global Citizen Festival is a reminder that when music and action come together, the impact can echo far beyond the stage.