The Weeknd, Shakira to Headline

Global Citizen Music Festival is gearing up for another star-studded edition. On Tuesday, the fest announced that the Weeknd and Shakira will be headlining the 2025 edition of the yearly charity event, scheduled for Sept. 27.

“I’m honored to headline the incredible Global Citizen Festival in Central Park this September,” Shakira said in a press release. “Music has always been my way of connecting with people and leaving a mark on the world. I can’t wait to perform, unite, and inspire action.”

Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, and Ayra Starr are also scheduled to perform at this year’s edition, adding to the global nature of the fest. Hugh Jackman, Global Citizen Ambassador, will return as the host.

“The 2025 Global Citizen Festival marks my eleventh year as host, and I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made over the years,” said Jackman. “The growing impact of the Global Citizen movement touches every corner of the world, and I’m eager to advocate alongside my fellow ambassadors, performers, world leaders, and private sector executives to leave the world better than we found it.”

The 2025 festival will focus on increasing access to energy for 1 million people in Africa and — by working with FIFA — ensuring that 30,000 children access quality education and football. The two organizations will mobilize $200 million to protect 30 million hectares of Amazon rainforest. The event will also help register 40,000 New Yorkers to volunteer.

This year marks the return of the Weeknd to the festival, after he headlined the event alongside Janet Jackson and Cardi B in 2018. For her part, Shakira performed at a version of the fest hosted on the eve of the G20 Summit in Hamburg back in 2017.

Last year, Post Malone, Doja Cat, and Rauw Alejandro headlined the festival, which featured appearances from Lisa and Jelly Roll. Benson Boone and Raye rounded up the lineup, which featured Jackman as host and Dr. Jane Goodall as a speaker. In 2023, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Anitta, and Ms. Lauryn Hill were among the performers.

Global Citizen Fest is a free event, and fans can access tickets through the charity’s app and website by volunteering.

The event will come several weeks after the Weeknd wraps his After Hours til Dawn Tour, which concludes in early September. The Global Citizen Fest will also arrive a day after Shakira headlines a stadium show in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic as part of the Latin American leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.