Everything You Need to Prepare for the Global Citizen Festival This Year

The Global Citizen Festival is everything that we love about music festivals with the added bonus of philanthropy.

Held on the Great Lawn in the middle of Manhattan’s iconic Central Park, the Global Citizen Festival 2024 takes place on Saturday, September 28 from 4 to 10 pm. Founded in 2012 by the Global Poverty Project, the purpose of this one-day event is to band people together under a shared aspiration to end extreme poverty, combat climate change, promote gender equality, and advocate for education.

In addition to big-name music performances across all genres like rap, hip hop, country, and indie, the event is hosted by Hugh Jackman and attendees can expect renowned activists to take to the stage to inspire the crowd and rally for change.

There are a couple ways to secure tickets to this can’t-miss event (including one way into the fest that’s totally free of charge), so here’s everything you need to know about the Global Citizen Festival this year.

Participating in humanitarian efforts via the festival’s app, which can help you score free tickets.

All you need to do is download the app and complete daily assignments which include sending emails to politicians, reading articles, taking quizzes, signing petitions, and posting across social media. These tasks earn you action points and when you reach a certain number of points, it enters you in a raffle for tickets to the show—the more points, the more entries into the raffle.

Global Citizen Festival is held on the Great Lawn within Central Park in Manhattan. The lawn can be found in the middle of the park between East and West 82nd and 85th Street.

Public transit, walking, or biking is encouraged to get to the festival.

For West Gate entry tickets, take the A, D, or 1 train to 59th Street-Columbus Circle and walk to the 72nd Street entrance of Central Park. Or opt for the B or C train to the 72nd Street stop.

For East Gate entry tickets, take the 4 or 6 train to 68th Street-Hunter College, 77th Street, or 86th Street and walk to the 72nd Street entrance. Or opt for the Q train to 86th Street or 72nd Street stops.

If you have VIP tickets, take the B or C train and exit at the 81st Street station.

The festival is set to go from 4–10 pm. Note that gates open at 2 pm and close at 8 pm.

If you’re not interested in the raffle or want to ensure entry, you can buy tickets online now. Global VIP General Admission tickets start at $250, Citi Premium VIP General Admission tickets are $325 and up, and Ultimate VIP General Admission tickets start at $3,000.

Music performers this year include Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Rauw Alejandro, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, and Raye. Hosted by Hugh Jackman, there will also be appearances by Chris Martin and Dr. Jane Goodall.

The festival does not release a set list, so if you’re really looking forward to a specific performance your best bet is staying for the whole event.

It’s important to know that most bags are not allowed at the festival. Small, clear, plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags are allowed, with a maximum size of 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches. Non-clear bags, clutches, and fanny packs can be no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. No backpacks are allowed.

Assuming it's a sunny fall day, you can also bring a small sunscreen, empty plastic water bottle, disposable and digital camera (non-professional), small beach towel (35 inches by 75 inches is the maximum size), sunglasses, and earplugs.

Prohibited items include alcohol, vapes, cigarettes, bicycles, blankets, chairs, coolers, non-service animals, umbrellas, and tents. Consult the full list of banned items here.

The Great Lawn will have a variety of vendors offering food and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be plant-based options as well. Vendors accept both cash and cards.

For those bringing plastic water bottles, there are free water refill stations.

No smoking is allowed at the Global Citizen Festival. That being said, since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2021, infused gummies and chocolates should be fine as long as they’re packaged safely.

General admission ticket holders can use any of the available porta potty stations. Certain VIP tickets will give attendees access to private restrooms.

You must print your ticket out beforehand. If you don’t have a paper ticket, you won’t be allowed into the festival. This means there will be no mobile version of your ticket to show at the gate.

If you don’t own your own printer, the best laid plan is to find a friend who has one or search for the nearest business or public library that offers printing services.

After entry, there will be recycling stations for discarding your tickets.

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