Organizers called off the Central Park concert because of dangerous weather forecasts, marking the event’s first cancellation in 14 years.
Organizers have canceled this year’s Global Citizen Festival in New York City’s Central Park because of extreme weather forecast from a noreaster this weekend.
The annual event was scheduled to take place Saturday, September 26, on the Great Lawn. Organizers announced the cancellation after consulting with the City of New York and NYC Parks, saying forecasts showed dangerous conditions that made it impossible to safely host attendees, performers, crew members, and equipment. It is the first time the festival has been canceled in 14 years.
Hugh Jackman was set to host the concert, which was organized to raise funds and awareness for global education, smallholder farmers, and electricity access for 2.5 million homes. Scheduled performers included Alicia Keys, Yeonjun, Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey, and Tomorrow X Together.
Ahead of the event, Global Citizen secured $208.8 million in financial commitments over the past six weeks. That total includes $151.6 million from Ireland and Canada for education efforts. Support for small agricultural businesses was pledged by the Minderoo Foundation, the Green Climate Fund, and nine African nations: Burundi, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Festival tickets that were purchased outright will be refunded automatically, and donors who secured tickets will receive emails explaining their options. Food intended for the concert will be donated to local organizations across New York City, and organizers said the event will return to Central Park next year.
