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New York’s weekend concert calendar just took another brutal hit. The 2026 Global Citizen Festival, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, on Central Park’s Great Lawn, has been canceled as the city braces for a nor’easter bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Organizers made the decision in consultation with New York City and NYC Parks, citing the danger of moving tens of thousands of attendees (and a small city’s worth of concert equipment) onto the lawn.
“Forecasts predict dangerous conditions and circumstances in which we cannot safely bring tens of thousands of Global Citizens, artists, crew, vendors, partners and staff onto the Great Lawn, let alone all of the equipment required,” organizers said in a statement. “Safety has to come first.”
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The cancellation is a first for Global Citizen in 14 years. Organizers said they spent the week considering other arrangements but could not find a workable alternative.
This year’s frankly stacked lineup included Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey, Victoria Monét and Tomorrow X Together, with appearances from Alicia Keys, Yeonjun and Yoshiki. Hugh Jackman was set to host, while Gayle King and Rachel Brosnahan were also expected to appear.
Most festival tickets were free, but fans earned them by completing actions that support Global Citizen’s mission to end extreme poverty. Anyone who purchased tickets will receive an automatic refund. People who made donations to obtain tickets will receive an email explaining their refund options. Food intended for the festival will be donated to local organizations.
The weather has also washed out All Things Go NYC, which was scheduled to begin Friday at Forest Hills Stadium with performers including Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, Ethel Cain, Muna and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Concerns about the Great Lawn are not merely theoretical: the space sustained extensive damage after the 2023 Global Citizen Festival went ahead during a downpour, forcing it to remain closed until the following spring. But despite losing its big Central Park finale, Global Citizen said its 2026 campaign has already secured $208.8 million in commitments supporting education and vulnerable communities. Organizers also promised the festival would return next year.
“The Festival is one day, but the actions you took and the impact you created will reach far beyond Central Park,” the organization said.