A Star-Studded Lineup, Central Park, and a Charitable Mission: The 2017 Global Citizen Festival

Soak up the last of the summer sun with great live music for a good cause.

New York City offers one of the few big-ticket music festivals that won’t drain your wallet. Tickets to the Global Citizen Festival, which was created by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and has been drawing locals and tourists alike since 2012, are completely free! Held in Central Park, the festival not only attracts huge names — Stevie Wonder and Green Day are on the docket this year — but also has a charitable mission, with a goal of ending “extreme poverty” by 2030.

This Year’s Festival

This year, the festival will be held on September 23, on the Great Lawn in Central Park. The lineup is full of a diverse array of musicians and genres, and the festival is backed by an equally impressive team of charitable partners.

Stevie Wonder is headlining, while Green Day, the Killers, and the Lumineers also have top billing. That’s not all: the Chainsmokers, Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Andra Day, and Alessia Cara will be performing as well. It’s not uncommon for celebs to perform surprise duets together, so you may even see your favorite artist more than once!

Additionally, past guest speakers have included Barack and Michelle Obama, Chelsea Handler, and Stephen Colbert, so you’ll likely be getting more than just music.

How To Get Tickets

To get your free ticket to this year’s festival, download the Global Citizen app. Then, you’ll be prompted to take specific charitable actions, including signing petitions, donating, or sharing a cause with your social network. Once you’ve accumulated 13 “points” through these actions, you can enter into a drawing for tickets.

This doesn’t mean snagging a ticket is out of reach, though! In 2016, 48,000 people got tickets — so try to arrive early for a good seat. Doors open at 2pm. Keep in mind that no alcohol is permitted so if you want to indulge in a cocktail, it’s best to do so beforehand — we recommend a rooftop bar to enjoy that last bit of summer!

Make The Most Of Your Trip

If you didn’t leave enough time in your trip itinerary for the Global Citizen Festival, don’t worry! Affinia is offering a special deal: an extra night free if you book a two- or three-night stay, at no extra cost to you. With so much to do in the city, you’ll need all the time you can get.