- On December 31, 2025, viewers can watch several major New Year's Eve television specials to ring in 2026.
- Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will air on ABC starting at 8 p.m.
- ET and run until 4 a.m.
- ET, featuring performances from Diana Ross, Ciara, and Post Malone across multiple time zones.
Quick Summary
Viewers have multiple options to celebrate New Year's Eve 2025 on television to ring in 2026. The schedule includes Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC, New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash on CBS, and CNN's New Year's Eve Live hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
These specials feature extensive musical performances and celebrity hosts across various time zones. Additionally, the Times Square Ball Drop will be available via a free livestream for those wishing to watch the festivities in New York City.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
Ryan Seacrest returns to host Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, airing on ABC. The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET and runs until 4 a.m. ET, marking the show's longest broadcast ever. It can be streamed on Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, and Fubo.
The show will span multiple time zones with hosts and performers stationed in Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, and New York. In Chicago, Chance the Rapper is co-hosting and will lead the Central Time Zone countdown. Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough will co-host the Las Vegas broadcast, while Rita Ora joins Seacrest in New York.
The 2026 broadcast will feature 42 performers. Diana Ross will headline with a midnight performance. Performers in Times Square include Ciara, LE SSERAFIM, Little Big Town, and Maren Morris.
West Coast performances will feature:
- 50 Cent
- 50 Cent
- Demi Lovato
- Mariah Carey
- New Kids on the Block
- OneRepublic
- Pitbull
Additional performers include Post Malone from Nashville, Daddy Yankee from Puerto Rico, and Chappell Roan from Kansas City.
Nashville's Big Bash
New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET. It will be broadcast in two segments: 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. ET/PT.
The five-hour special is a celebration of country music featuring headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman. Special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers will perform live from Nashville's Bicentennial Park.
Hosts for the evening are comedian Bert Kreischer and country star HARDY, who will also perform. Additional performances will be provided by:
- Dierks Bentley
- Brooks & Dunn
- Rascal Flatts
- Keith Urban
- Gretchen Wilson
Additional appearances are scheduled by comedian Dusty Slay, TV host Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard, and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.
CNN and Times Square Livestream
CNN's New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen begins at 8 p.m. ET. The special will feature performances by Robyn from Times Square and Shakira from Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Other performers include Bryan Adams, Florence + The Machine, and RAYE.
Appearances are also scheduled by mentalist Oz Perlman, comedians Stephen Colbert and B.J. Novak, and actors Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell.
A free livestream of the Times Square Ball Drop will be available at Timessquarenyc.org. This webcast offers commercial-free coverage leading up to midnight. A livestream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is also available on YouTube. Both streams begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve start?
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve begins at 8 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025, and runs until 4 a.m. ET.
Where can I watch the Times Square Ball Drop livestream?
A free livestream is available at Timessquarenyc.org and on YouTube with ASL interpretation, starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Who is hosting Nashville's Big Bash?
The event is hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer and country star HARDY.
