A free concert in the heart of New York to support the causes you most care about? Say less.
The Global Citizen Festival graced Central Park’s Great Lawn last week as over 60,000 concert-goers attended the advocacy group’s thirteenth-annual show. There, the community action-oriented organization announced that over 4.3 million actions were taken this year by global citizens to achieve such goals as alleviating climate change and ending poverty. That’s the most in the New York festival’s history.
Shakira sings “Hips Don’t Lie” on stage at the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park.
Photo Catherina Gioino
To celebrate, artists such as Shakira, Cardi B, Tyla, and Rosé graced the stage and brought music with a purpose.
Shakira closed the social impact festival with a high-powered performance filled with lasers and flashing lights just as rain started to kick in on the crowds– a refreshing way to cool off from the unconventionally (re: climate change) warm late September, and a sigh-inducing change of pace from last year’s torrential downpour during the festival (do I have to mention climate change again here?).
Shakira herself is no stranger to supporting international causes. The Colombian singer established Fundación Pies Descalzos (the Barefoot Foundation) in 1997 to help poor children in her home country, and became the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2003. She’s supported countless other foundations and charities, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity, and has supported Global Citizen for years. She first performed at the group’s 2017 festival in Hamburg, Germany, returned virtually in 2020 to advocate for Covid-19 precautions, and now headlined this year’s, performing her hits “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” and “Hips Don’t Lie.”
“I’m so thrilled to be here tonight knowing that each one of you is here because you gave your time or your support to someone you don’t know but who needed it,” Shakira said onstage. “Thank you so much for caring, thank you so much, Global Citizen, for this initiative.”
Cardi B, who is pregnant with her fourth child, gave an incredibly physical performance that energized the whole crowd as she teased songs from her new album, “Am I the Drama?” She was added to the lineup
Rosé, guitarist and vocalist for BLACKPINK, singing her hit “APT” on stage at the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park on September 27, 2025. Photo Catherina Gioino.
Just a few weeks ago, along with Rosé, the Weeknd dropped out due to “personal reasons.” The change was so last-minute, you could still spot staff wearing shirts bearing his name as a co-headliner.
The New York native sure did revel in performing at home. “Central Park, I’m coming for you!!! I can’t wait to be home in New York, and to bring my new songs and all the DRAMA to the Global Citizen Festival,” said Cardi B. At the festival, she performed her hits “I Like It” and “Bodak Yellow” before tossing her leather trucker’s jacket into the crowd, showing off her baby bump and then performing her new track “Outside.”
BLACKPINK’s guitarist and vocalist Rosé stole the show by singing “APT” and “2 Years,” and then absolutely dropped a beautiful rendition of “Linger” by The Cranberries. Ayra Starr, who performed solo at the beginning of the show, was joined by Nigerian superstar Rema as a special surprise as the two sang Rema’s hits “Baby (Is It a Crime)” and “Calm Down” as Ayra sang Sade’s and Selena Gomez’ parts, respectively. Tyla sang her fan favorite song “Water” as Colombian-singer Camilo dropped his favorite “Kesi” and “Vida de Rico” before bringing out his wife, and Mariah the Scientist sang “Spread Thin.”
Concertgoers capture Shakira’s laser show at the Global Citizen Festival in New York. | Photo Catherina Gioino
Long-time host Hugh Jackman joined in on the fun, introducing Global Citizen’s initiatives in between sets, along with the help of Bill Nye, Adam Lambert, Danai Gurira, Kristen Bell, Tony Goldwyn, Laurie Hernandez, and Vladimir Duthiers, among others.
The hosts announced Global Citizen that over 25 million hectares of the Amazon Rainforest will be restored after the Protect the Amazon campaign raised $280 million to date. With a $1 billion goal in mind, Global Citizen Festival: Amazônia will kick off on November 1, hoping to continue that momentum.
The FIFA World Cup was also brought on stage as Gianni Infantino, the FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots, and others announced $30 million will be going to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, and over $100 million was raised for children’s education and nutrition in over 200 communities across the world.
More than 4.6 million homes across Africa will have power by 2030 thanks to the Scaling Up Renewables in Africa campaign. Commitments from the European Commission, Pele Energy Group, Globaleq, and Energea will lead the way as both Global Citizen NOW: Johannesburg and the G20 Summit convene in late November.
If you’re looking to get more involved in the world, or even just your community, take a peek at Global Citizen’s initiatives and see how you can become a global citizen yourself.
