History of Global Citizen Festival in Timeline

The Global Citizen Festival, an annual music festival, was launched in 2012 by Global Poverty Project and founded by Ryan Gall and Hugh Evans. Gall was inspired by Austin City Limits and sought to replace corporate branding with charity branding on stage. The festival aims to raise awareness and encourage action towards ending extreme poverty.

September 29, 2012: Inaugural Global Citizen Music Festival

On September 29, 2012, the Global Citizen Music Festival was first held in New York City, featuring headliners like the Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, John Legend, Band of Horses, K'naan, and Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

2012: Gall Proposes Festival Idea

In 2012, Ryan Gall proposed the idea of holding a festival on the Great Lawn of Central Park to Hugh Evans at Columbia University, later partnering with Goldenvoice to launch the Global Citizen Festival.

2012: Inception of Global Citizen Festival

In 2012, Ryan Gall was inspired by Austin City Limits to create a festival with charity branding instead of corporate branding, leading to the start of the Global Citizen Festival.

September 28, 2013: Second Annual Global Citizen Festival

On September 28, 2013, the second annual Global Citizen Festival took place, headlined by Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Alicia Keys, and John Mayer, focusing on education, women's equality, global health, and global partnerships.

2014: 2014 Festival Line-Up and Speakers

In 2014, the Global Citizen Festival featured Alicia Keys, Tiësto, Fun, The Roots, Carrie Underwood, No Doubt, and Jay Z, along with speakers like Queen Silvia of Sweden, Narendra Modi, Erna Solberg, and Barack Obama.

2015: Chris Martin Named Curator

In 2015, Coldplay's Chris Martin was announced as the curator for the Global Citizen Festival for the next 15 years.

2015: 2015 Festival Performances and Appearances

In 2015, the Global Citizen Festival included performances by Beyoncé, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, and Fall Out Boy, with appearances by Stephen Colbert, Hugh Jackman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama.

2015: Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

Since 2015, the Global Citizen Festival has aligned its goals with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on ending extreme global poverty by 2030.

January 2016: 2015 Festival Airs in Hong Kong

In January 2016, the 2015 Global Citizen Festival was aired on TVB Pearl in Hong Kong.

September 17, 2016: Global Citizen Canada 2016

On September 17, 2016, the Global Citizen Canada was held in Montreal, featuring Usher, Metric, Grimes, Half Moon Run, Charlotte Cardin, Justin Trudeau and Bill Gates.

2016: 2016 Festival in Mumbai, India

In 2016, the Global Citizen Festival was also hosted in Mumbai, India, headlined by Coldplay and Jay Z, with appearances by Narendra Modi, Demi Lovato, A. R. Rahman, The Vamps and various Bollywood stars.

2016: 2016 Festival in New York City

In 2016, the Global Citizen Festival was held in New York City with Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Demi Lovato, Major Lazer, and Metallica headlining, and appearances by Chelsea Handler, Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Salma Hayek Pinault, and Seth Meyers.

2017: Ticket distribution model generates significant actions

In 2017, Global Citizen's ticket distribution model generated 1.6 million actions in two months, leading to commitments and announcements of $3.2 billion for sustainable development, affecting 221 million people.

2017: Global Citizen Concert in Hamburg

In 2017, on the eve of the G20 Hamburg summit, a Global Citizen concert was held headlined by Coldplay, Shakira, and Herbert Grönemeyer, with politicians including Olaf Scholz, Justin Trudeau, Erna Solberg, Mauricio Macri, and Sigmar Gabriel making appearances.

2017: 2017 Festival in New York City

In 2017, the Global Citizen Festival was held in New York City with Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers, The Lumineers, and The Chainsmokers headlining, and hosts and presenters including Hugh Jackman, Demi Lovato, Jane Goodall, Whoopi Goldberg, Priyanka Chopra, Lupita Nyong'o, Connie Britton, and Camren Bicondova.

2018: Argentina invited to the G20 Buenos Aires summit

In 2018, Argentina invited the Global Citizen Festival to the G20 Buenos Aires summit.

2018: 2018 Festival in New York City

In 2018, the Global Citizen Festival was held in New York City with Janet Jackson, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, and Janelle Monáe headlining, and hosts and presenters including Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, Danai Gurira, Chris Martin, Naomi Campbell, Dakota Johnson, Robert De Niro, Andrew Cuomo, and Chris Coons.

2019: 2019 Festival in New York City

In 2019, the Global Citizen Festival took place in New York City, featuring Queen + Adam Lambert, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, OneRepublic, H.E.R., and Carole King headlining, with Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness returning to host.

2020: Cancellation of 2020 Festival and One World: Together at Home Concert

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Global Citizen Festival was cancelled and replaced with One World: Together at Home, a benefit concert organized by Global Citizen and curated by Lady Gaga.

2021: 2021 Event in Multiple Cities

In 2021, the Global Citizen event took place concurrently in multiple cities around the world, including Lagos, Seoul, Paris, New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, and Sydney.

2022: 2022 Festival in New York City

In 2022, the Global Citizen Festival took place in New York City, featuring Metallica, Charlie Puth, the Jonas Brothers, Måneskin, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton and Rosalía headlining, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas hosting.

2023: 2023 Festival in New York City

In 2023, the Global Citizen Festival took place in New York City, featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jung Kook, Anitta, Conan Gray, D-Nice, Sofia Carson and Stray Kids headlining.

2024: 2024 Festival in New York City

In 2024, the Global Citizen Festival took place in New York City, featuring Post Malone, Jelly Roll, LISA, Doja Cat, and Chris Martin with special guest Ed Sheeran.

2025: Announcement of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Venues

At the 2024 Global Citizen Festival, the venues for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States were announced.

2030: Target Year for Ending Extreme Global Poverty

2030 is the target year for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, including the end of extreme global poverty, a key focus of the Global Citizen Festival since 2015.