Music fans interested in the Global Citizen Festival might want to start thinking about the philanthropic and volunteer work needed to earn a ticket. For the twelfth year, the Festival is set to return to the Great Lawn of Central Park. The event, which takes place on September 28, is free to attend, but tickets are earned by “taking action to create a world where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled, our planet is flourishing, and every person and country can prosper,” per a release from Global Citizen and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
A Timely Event
“Since 2012, the Global Citizen Festival has called Central Park its home, thanks to the long-standing partnership with NYX Parks and the City of New York,” said Hugh Evans in the release. Evans is the Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “Annually, we have welcomed 60,000 global citizens to the Great Lawn, who have played a crucial role in our mission, and we look forward to coming back again on September 28 to drive more action and commitments toward ending extreme poverty.”
The event is held every September at the same time as the gathering of the UN General Assembly in New York City. The event, which tackles all kinds of global issues but places significant emphasis on hunger, climate change, and gender inequality, draws attendees from all over the world.
“As New Yorkers, we are all citizens of the globe, and few moments are as exhilarating and rewarding as the end of the [UN General Assembly] Week each September,” said Erik Bottcher, a New York City Councilmember.
“The Global Citizen Festival is more than just a good time for music lovers,” said Sue Donoghue, the NYC Parks Commissioner. “It’s a call to action, inspiring us to be active citizens of the world in the fight against poverty, inequity, and climate change.”
A New York Special
While the Global Citizen Festival has an international reach, it’s still deeply rooted in New York culture. One official after another emphasized that the event would draw attendees from “all five boroughs.” In a city where 14% of all land is devoted to parks—that’s 30 thousand acres of land—it makes sense to show off the best park in an arena with international stakes.
Last year, the Great Lawn of Central Park was shut down following the Global Citizen Festival, as damage was assessed and repaired, though Global Citizen covered the bill. The Global Citizen Festival was the final event of 2023 for the Great Lawn, as it was shut down over the winter.
“I’m excited that with Global Citizen’s support, the Parks Department and the Central Park Conservancy will open a restored Great Lawn this week,” said Bottcher, “So that an NYC gem is ready for spring—and a season’s worth of inclusive cultural, philanthropic and recreational events that help make New York the great city that it is.”
Now that the lawn is repaired, it is set to reopen for Spring and Summer. It will have six months to stay open before the crowds of the Global Citizen Festival descend upon it once more, though perhaps this time to less damaging results.
