Global Citizen Festival canceled due to extreme weather in NYC

The 2026 Global Citizen Festival has been canceled for the first time in its 14-year history due to an approaching Nor’easter threatening New York City. Organizers made the decision after consulting with the City of New York and NYC Parks, citing dangerous weather forecasts that would make it unsafe to host tens of thousands of people, artists, and staff on the Great Lawn in Central Park.

The star-studded lineup included headliners Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, as well as Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Alicia Keys, and Tomorrow X Together. Hugh Jackman was scheduled to host the event.

Ticket holders will receive automatic refunds, and those who donated to secure tickets will have the option to request a refund via email. In a move to minimize waste, food prepared for the festival will be donated to local New York City organizations. Despite the cancellation, Global Citizen reported securing $208.8 million in financial commitments through recent advocacy actions, which are intended to support education and farming communities globally.