Alicia Keys, YEONJUN & More Join 2026 Global Citizen Festival Lineup: ‘Every Time We Come Together, Something Shifts’

The Central Park event is adding even more major names ahead of its Sept. 26 return, with additional performers still to come. Alicia Keys performs during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images Trending on Billboard The 2026 Global Citizen Festival is getting even bigger. Alicia Keys, Victoria Monét, YEONJUN and YOSHIKI are among the roster of stars set to take the stage at the event, which returns to New York City’s Central Park on Sept. 26. Keys will perform alongside a group of special guests, while Monét, YEONJUN and YOSHIKI will make their Global Citizen Festival debuts. They join a previously announced lineup that includes Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and TOMORROW X TOGETHER. More performers are expected to be announced ahead of the festival. The event will also feature appearances from Bill Nye, IZA, Jordan Fisher, Katie Couric, Lais Ribeiro, Marcus Samuelsson, Naomi Watanabe, Nomzamo Mbatha, PJ Sin Suela and Vladimir Duthiers. For Keys, returning to the festival carries some hometown significance. “There’s nothing like standing on that Global Citizen stage in the middle of Central Park, in my city, with people who love the world enough to show up for it,” she said in a statement. “Every time we come together, something shifts.” This year’s festival is built around Global Citizen’s efforts to address issues connected to extreme poverty, with campaigns focused on education, supporting smallholder farmers and expanding access to electricity. Fans can earn free festival tickets by completing action-based challenges through the Global Citizens app. New Yorkers also have opportunities to earn points through local volunteer efforts throughout September, including urban planting, beach cleanups and food donations. Participating organizations include Bowery Mission, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Pollinator Pathways, Support + Feed and 9/11 Day. There’s also a new way to turn those points into a ticket: After completing an action journey and earning enough points, fans can either enter the free-ticket lottery or make a $25 charitable donation to instantly secure a ticket, while supplies last. Donations will support New York City initiatives, including free programming through City Parks Foundation and organizations serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. And for fans who want to rep the festival before heading to Central Park, the 2026 Global Citizen Festival merchandise collection is now available, featuring artist collaborations with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, Lainey Wilson, TXT and Shaboozey, along with collections with Aviator Nation and Brooklyn Industries. The 2026 Global Citizen Festival will stream on the Amazon Music app, Amazon Music channels on Fire TV and Twitch, Prime Video, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, TikTok, Veeps and YouTube. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up