Global Citizen Festival 2025: Highlights and Standout Moments
A recap of the best performances and onstage moments from Central Park’s Great Lawn.
Overview
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival drew over 60,000 attendees to Central Park’s Great Lawn for a day that blended music, spectacle and activism. The star-packed bill featured Shakira, Cardi B, ROSÉ, Rema, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Tyla, Camilo and Elyanna, among others.
Beyond the performances, the event spotlighted several major commitments aimed at tackling global challenges — from expanding access to clean energy across African households to new conservation and education initiatives. Organizers announced projects intended to bring renewable power to millions of homes in Africa, protect vast areas of the Amazon, and support schooling programs in hundreds of communities worldwide.
Hugh Evans, co‑founder and CEO of Global Citizen, said the festival demonstrates how artists, civic participants, businesses and governments can combine forces to combat extreme poverty — and that while the evening celebrated important progress, the movement’s work continues.
The day balanced surprise collaborations and show-stopping headline sets, underscoring the festival’s global reach and cultural breadth. Below are some of the most memorable moments from the night (presented in no particular order). You can also watch the full Global Citizen 2025 broadcast on YouTube here.
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Shakira’s She‑Wolf Spectacle
Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen Opening her headline set with “She Wolf,” Shakira delivered a theatrical entrance that included elaborate visuals and choreography. She moved effortlessly between classic hits and newer material, combining high-energy staging with moments of sheer pop charisma.
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Cardi B’s Confident, Pregnant Performance
Image credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images Radiating bold energy, Cardi B performed while visibly pregnant and commanded the stage with her trademark bravado. She opened with “Outside” from her recent release and closed her brief but electric set with “I Like It,” even tossing a piece of her costume into the crowd as a playful flourish.
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ROSÉ’s Intimate, Dreamy Set
ROSÉ of BLACKPINK delivered a soft, stripped‑back set that leaned into indie and pop textures. Under a wash of warm lights and sporting platinum hair and a flowing dress, her emotive delivery on songs like “On The Ground” resonated with the audience and highlighted a more vulnerable side of the lineup.
A clip from ROSÉ’s set shared on Instagram. -
Afrobeats Moment: Rema & Ayra Starr
The crowd lit up when Rema and Ayra Starr joined forces for an impromptu duet, blending their voices on tracks including “Calm Down” and a cover moment that echoed Sade’s original lines. The two asked attendees to switch on their phone flashlights, creating a shimmering sea of light across the park.
Earlier, Ayra Starr energized the audience with a high‑octane solo set, marked by tight choreography and a stylish, street‑savvy wardrobe that completed her onstage presence.
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Tyla Reignites the Crowd with “Water”
South African breakout Tyla transformed the lawn into a massive dance floor with her hit “Water.” When a brief interruption occurred to assist an attendee, she paused, checked on the situation, then warmly asked if the audience wanted the song restarted — they cheered for it, and she performed it again with infectious energy.
Her casual, youthful aesthetic — including knee‑high Converse — and playful rapport with fans underscored why she’s a rising international star.
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Camilo’s Heartfelt Acoustic Set
Camilo brought a breezy, acoustic warmth to the bill with sing‑along favorites like “Tutu” and “Vida de Rico.” Dressed in a mustard knit and relaxed denim, he infused tropical rhythms and playful crowd interaction into a charming set that culminated in a surprise moment when his wife Evaluna joined him onstage.
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Mariah the Scientist’s Bold Aesthetic
Mariah the Scientist arrived in a striking military‑inspired outfit — a green helmet, tailored shorts and a statement microphone — and delivered tender performances of tracks like “Spread Thin.” Her blend of classic R&B sensibility with forward‑looking visuals made her set a memorable, emotionally resonant stop on the festival lineup.
