All Things Go and Global Citizen festivals cancelled over storm forecast

Two large music festivals in New York City were cancelled on Sept. 25 as a severe storm moved toward the weekend.

All Things Go said its three-night New York edition, scheduled for Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, would not go ahead because of severe weather conditions including high winds, Billboard reported. Organisers said the decision was made after consultation with local officials, the stadium and weather advisers.

Hours later, the same problem took out a second event. The 2026 Global Citizen Festival, planned for Saturday evening on the Great Lawn in Central Park, was cancelled because of the extreme weather forecast for the weekend, Billboard reported. The venue, an open grass space in Manhattan’s largest park, had been due to host thousands of people in one evening, according to CBS News.

Global Citizen said the decision was taken in consultation with the City of New York and NYC Parks. The organisation said it was the first time in 14 years it had cancelled its festival.

The cancellations affect two very different line-ups. All Things Go NYC had been due to feature MUNA, Zara Larsson, Hayley Williams, Mitski and Lola Young across its three days. Global Citizen had listed Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Shaboozey, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Alicia Keys for its one-night bill.

The cause is a nor’easter, a coastal storm that travels up the east coast of the United States with strong winds and heavy rain. Forecasters expected heavy rain and strong winds in New York City on Saturday. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had warned on Sept. 23 of gusty winds, rain and high-tide flooding peaking on Friday and possibly lasting through Sunday.

Safety was the stated reason for both calls. Open-air stages, lighting rigs and temporary structures are vulnerable in high winds. For Central Park, there was an added concern that heavy rain plus a large crowd would damage the Great Lawn, ABC7 reported.

For ticket holders, this means no travel is needed. Both All Things Go and Global Citizen said refunds will be processed automatically. Fans do not need to apply.

It is a sharp disruption to the city’s live calendar. A three-day festival employs many more people than the acts on stage, from security and food vendors to crew and transport staff. A one-night charity concert carries its own logistics, including fundraising targets tied to the event.

No replacement dates have been announced.