Pop Break Live: Global Citizen Festival NYC 2025 at The Great Lawn at Central Park in New York City, on Saturday September 27, 2025.
Written by Yassmin Elmouzaieg
It was mid-afternoon on the New Brunswick train platform, the kind of September day where the air buzzes with leftover summer heat. Sequins shimmered under the sun, denim shorts and cowboy boots filled the crowd, and metallic tops caught the light like mirrors. You didn’t need to ask where anyone was going because we all knew. We were heading to the 2025 Global Citizen Festival.
Clusters of Rutgers students stood waiting, iced coffees in hand, already talking about the lineup. There was this quiet thrill running through everyone, the kind of collective anticipation that only happens when you know the day ahead is going to be special.
When the train pulled into the station, the excitement spilled onto the city streets. We started the 20-minute walk to Central Park, following a steady stream of festival-goers glittering like confetti in the crowd. By the time we reached the gates, the line wrapped around several blocks. For nearly 30 minutes, we shuffled forward, clutching our printed tickets, a requirement that felt oddly nostalgic in a digital world.
Once inside, the park unfolded into a festival dreamscape. Booths handed out free water, the smell of fries drifted through the air, and food vendors lined the path to the Great Lawn. Volunteers waved bright signs about climate change and ending poverty. The Great Lawn itself was split between those stretched out in the back on blankets and those standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the pit, unwilling to miss a single beat. Massive screens framed the stage, glowing with light even before the music began.
When the first artist stepped out, the crowd roared. Mars Rodriguez kicked off the afternoon with a fierce, guitar-driven set that felt raw and unapologetic, the kind of opener that jolts the audience awake. Elyanna followed, blending Arabic and pop rhythms into something mesmerizing, her voice floating effortlessly through the humid air. Then came Camilo, radiating warmth with his signature mustache and smile, leading the crowd through a singalong that turned the Great Lawn into a mini Latin street party.
Ayra Starr kept the energy rolling, strutting across the stage with confidence that was both effortless and magnetic. Her voice carried power and playfulness, pulling people to their feet. Mariah the Scientist shifted the mood slightly, her R&B vocals washing over the crowd, creating one of those rare quiet moments where everyone just listened. Then Tyla stepped out, her performance a perfect mix of grace and groove, her hit “Water” had the entire field dancing and splashing bottled water into the air.
As the sun began to set, Cardi B stormed the stage like a force of nature. Every beat hit harder than the last, her charisma filling every inch of the park. The crowd screamed every lyric back at her, it was chaotic, bold and unforgettable. ROSÉ followed with a surprise appearance, her voice delicate but commanding as she thanked fans and performed a few songs that had K-pop fans in tears. Finally, Shakira closed the night in full icon mode, hips swaying, curls flying, her voice still every bit as electrifying as it was decades ago. By her final song, the crowd had transformed into one massive dance floor, strangers spinning and singing under the New York skyline.
Between performances, hosts like Hugh Jackman and Liza Koshy reminded everyone why we were there, to take action against global poverty, protect the planet and expand access to food and education. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a movement dressed in sequins and sweat.
From the pit to the farthest patch of grass, the energy never dipped. People danced, shared snacks with strangers and waved signs that read “Take Action. End Poverty.” Every new song brought another wave of cheers, another shared moment that made the city feel a little smaller and the world a little closer.
As night fell, the sky turned deep violet and the stage lights shimmered against the skyline. The final chords echoed through Central Park, and for a moment, everyone just stood there, breathless, glowing, and connected. Thousands of phone flashlights illuminated the Great Lawn, reflecting off every last sequin like stars across the grass.
On the train ride back to New Brunswick, everyone looked exhausted in the best way. Glitter clung to our faces, our voices were hoarse, and our phones were filled with blurry videos and memories that already felt unreal.
For one night, we weren’t just Rutgers students. We were part of something bigger, a community of dreamers, dancers and believers. We were global citizens.
