Global Citizen Cancels 2026 Central Park Festival

Global Citizen canceled its 2026 festival in Central Park, saying a forecast of dangerous nor’easter conditions made it unsafe to bring tens of thousands of attendees, performers and workers onto the Great Lawn. Organizers said Friday the decision followed consultation with New York City and NYC Parks and marked the first cancellation in the event’s 14-year history. The one-day festival had been scheduled for Saturday, September 26. Organizers said they had considered contingencies during the week but concluded they could not safely proceed. The storm was forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the New York area over the weekend; the reports do not establish what weather impacts ultimately occurred. Global Citizen said tickets purchased for the festival would be refunded automatically. People who made donations to secure tickets could choose to seek a refund. Organizers also said food planned for the festival would be donated to local organizations. The refund and donation arrangements were announced by the organizers; the available information does not confirm that they have been completed. The cancellation followed a six-week campaign that organizers said generated 3.