The Global Citizen Festival 2025 has returned, and this time it proved to be one of the most significant events of the year. The festival was headlined by two powerhouses, Shakira and Cardi B, in the heart of New York City. It’s a literal dream team for anyone who loves music with a backbone.
This festival is going to prove that a stage in the heart of NYC can echo across the globe with messages of justice, equality, and hope.
This wasn’t just another concert where you go to sing along to your favorite songs. It’s different; it’s about activism with a beat. It’s about harnessing that epic sound and massive platform to call for some serious change. This is about shaking the ground until world leaders start listening..
And as fans, it was more than just the music—you could see what commitments, pledges, and promises come from a night where rhythm meets revolution. The festival is proof that a stage in the heart of NYC can echo across the globe with messages of justice, equality, and hope.
The Festival’s Legacy
The Global Citizen Festival first launched in 2012, carving out its space as both a music and an activism festival. It wasn’t content with just putting up a stage and inviting big names. Instead, it asked fans to earn tickets through action—sign petitions, volunteer, and spread awareness. That’s how concerts for change were born.
Over the years, the festival has given us unforgettable moments. Beyoncé and Jay-Z headlined in 2018. The festival has attracted other megastars, including Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Pearl Jam, and even Metallica, proving that activism has no genre limits.
This isn’t just about big names; it’s about big promises. The festival has a rep for being more than just a party—it’s a call to action. They’ve been a force for good, raising billions and inspiring world leaders to commit to initiatives such as ending extreme poverty.
That’s why it has become part of the list of NYC music festivals for 2025—not only in terms of music, but also in terms of its mission. It is the type of show where you go home thinking that you were a part of something much bigger than yourself.
ALSO READ: Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Era: How She’s Redefining Country Music One Boot at a Time
Shakira: A Voice for Global Unity
If there’s one artist who’s a perfect fit for Global Citizen, it’s Shakira. She has been an advocate for children’s education for decades. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation way back in the late ’90s. And her Barefoot Foundation has built schools and improved access to education in Colombia and beyond.
She’s all about education, especially for kids in crisis zones, and you know she’ll be using that stage to push that mission forward.
Her work isn’t just a side gig; it’s her whole life. She’s more than a singer; she’s an icon for social justice, and her presence at the Global Citizen Festival 2025 was a huge deal. It carried something deeper: a reminder that global unity starts with opportunities for kids. She has said before, “Education is the key to unlocking human potential.” Those words echo exactly what this festival was about.
During the Shakira Global Citizen Festival set, she brought a mix of her fire classics like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Whenever, Wherever”—plus some newer jams with a message. She’s all about education, especially for kids in crisis zones, and she used that stage to push that mission forward. It was a moment.
Cardi B: Hip-Hop Meets Advocacy
And then Cardi B also headlined at the Global Citizen NYC festival 2025. Talk about a perfect match. Cardi might’ve seemed like an unlikely activist to some, but she’s been one of the most unfiltered voices in pop culture. She isn’t afraid to express her thoughts, whether it’s about politics, social issues, or simply life in general.
Cardi is an absolute force of nature, and the fact that she headlined is a sign of how this movement is evolving. She attracted younger fans, diverse crowds, and people who might not typically attend a music and activism festival. And that’s the point: bridging gaps. Cardi has always said what others are afraid to, and at a festival about demanding change, her boldness fits perfectly.
Her set was full of high-energy performance despite her baby bump. She’s an amazing artist with the incredible ability to connect with people on a super personal level while also talking about complex issues. That’s a superpower.
The 2025 Lineup Beyond the Headliners
Okay, so we’ve got Shakira Global Citizen and Cardi B Global Citizen NYC—but who else performed at the festival? The full Global Citizen lineup for 2025 was set to feature a diverse mix of genres, continents, and global artists at the festival.
The surprise duets and collaborations made the message of unity even stronger. That’s always been Global Citizen’s magic: creating a truly international event.
Stars like Tyla, Ayra Starr, Kristen Bell, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo, Elyanna, BlackPink’s Rosé, and let’s not forget the special appearance by Hugh Jackman. It was incredible. Plus, the surprise duets and collaborations made the message of unity even stronger. That’s always been Global Citizen’s magic: creating a truly international event.
ALSO READ: Afrobeats Dominates UK Charts: Rema, Ayra Starr & More Lead a Global Takeover
Music as a Platform for Global Issues
The core of this whole thing is that music can be more than just entertainment. It’s a tool for change. This year, the Global Citizen Festival 2025 highlights some heavy-hitting topics: climate change, extreme poverty, and access to education. It’s not just about raising awareness; it’s about getting real commitments.
“If we really want a world with peace, with global stability, we have to increase the investment in education,” Shakira has said before. That’s the kind of message that resonates differently when delivered from a stage in front of tens of thousands of people, backed by a massive concert for change. It’s the perfect synergy of celebrity influence and grassroots movements, where the artists lend their massive reach to the people on the ground doing the hard work.
Over 60,000 global citizens gathered at The Great Lawn in Central Park, New York City, to celebrate the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, where activism meets culture. The global media coverage was extensive, and this helped disseminate the message to millions of people worldwide.
A Concert With a Conscience
So, yeah, Shakira and Cardi B were the massive star power that brought everyone in on the 27th September 2025, but the true headliner is the mission itself. The Global Citizen Festival 2025 is a perfect storm of music, celebrity, and a call to action. You can watch the festival here.
It serves as a reminder that entertainment can be a powerful means of good and that all of us can utilize our platforms, however large or small, to make a difference. Where music and mission meet can be a beautiful thing to witness.
Now the question is: Will 2025’s festival be remembered more for the performances—or for the global commitments it inspires?
You Might Also Like:
Edinburgh Festivals 2025: Bold Highlights That Lit Up Scotland’s Biggest Stage
“Nepo Babies” Rising in Fashion: Privilege, Talent, and the Runway Debate
Colin Farrell & Margot Robbie Reveal Regret Over Cut Dance Scene in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey