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Out with the old, in with the new! It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome a new year. As you count down the hours and minutes to 2026, there are various ways to ring in the new year without feeling as though you dropped the ball on your plans.
What are the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? That depends on whether you prefer to stay in or go out. There are plenty of New Year’s Eve parties, concerts and other events happening this week, including plenty of Las Vegas residencies shows (including Jennifer Lopez and Bruno Mars) that’ll make staying home a more enticing idea.
Plus, you can keep it classic by watching the ball drop from New York City’s Time’s Square, indulge in live performances from your favorite artists, and catch all the hilarious (and viral) New Year’s Eve moments, without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Rather than scroll through your channels the day of, we put together a list of the most popular New Year’s Eve specials to tune into. See below for a list of 2025-26 NYE specials to watch this tonight.
Here’s How to Watch Every 2026 New Year’s Eve Specials
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will return for its 54th year with Ryan Seacrest as the host with Rita Ora joining him on stage in Times Square as co-host starting Sunday (Dec. 31) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. You can expect a slew of performances by hit artists including Chappell Roan, Chance the Rapper, 50 Cent, Charlie Puth, Post Malone, Demi Lovato, and Diana Ross.
Don’t have cable? The best option that’ll give you access to watch ABC without cable is DirecTV, which comes with a five-day free trial. Other great ways to watch include: DirecTV, FuboTV, SlingTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash
CBS is bringing the fireworks and New Year’s cheer to TV screens everywhere with New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. Hosted by country music star HARDY and comedian Bert Kreischer, the show is set to air live on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m., ET on the CBS. You can look forward to a night filled with must-see performances from country music’s biggest superstars, including Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, and special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Fans can stream the CBS event on Paramount+, don’t have the streaming service? New users will receive a seven-day free trial when you sign up. Once the free trial is over, you’ll be charged based on the plan you choose at checkout. Other great ways to watch include: DirecTV, FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV.
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
For their 9th consecutive year, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen return to co-host CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live airing live from New York City’s Times Square. The annual special is slated to air Sunday, Dec. 31 at 8pm ET on CNN and will feature feature music, comedy and some surprise guests, including Stephen Colbert, Robyn, Shakira, Monica, Bryan Adams, Florence + The Machine, RAYE and more.
No cable? No problem. You can stream CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live on DirecTV, which is currently running a five-day free trial. You can also stream the new year event on FuboTV, SlingTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
NBC’s A Toast to 2025! NYE Special with Hoda Kotb & Jenna Bush Hager
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are back once again to ring in the new year as hosts of the two-hour NBC primetime special A Toast to 2025! on December 31st at 10:30 p.m. ET. As they celebrate and look back at the year’s biggest moments, the two will be joined by a star-studded guest list including Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Frei, Howie Mandel, Wanda Sykes and more.
The New Year’s Eve special from NBC is streaming live on Peacock. For as low as $7.99, you’ll gain access to the entire NBC lineup of hit shows and programs, live TV, and an expanding collection of hit movies. You can also watch the NYE special on DirecTV, FuboTV, SlingTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
DCP (Dick Clark Productions) is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldrige. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.
