CNN New Year’s Eve 2026 start time, hosts, and performers

CNN New Year's Eve
Photo: CNN

The arrival of the annual CNN New Year’s Eve special is right around the corner, so what can we say about the 2026 edition now?

Well, first and foremost, we do think that it will be plenty of fun as always. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back as hosts, which means that we will get plenty of humor — but also as much boundary-pushing as you are going to get on a premium-cable network.

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So what more can we say about what’s ahead here? Take a look at the following courtesy of an official press release:

At 8:00 PM ET, CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will feature music, comedy and some surprise guests, including Stephen Colbert, Robyn performing live from Times Square, Shakira performing from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, Brandy and Monica from The Boy Is Mine Tour presented by BPC, Bryan Adams from Madison Square Garden, Florence + The Machine, RAYE, mentalist Oz Perlman, Amy Sedaris, Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle, Grammy and Tony Nominated Singer, Songwriter Michelle Williams, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, comedians B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman and more.

In general, we just think that the CNN show is great if you are looking to sit back, relax, and more or less have a great time. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is more your jam if you are looking for a lot of great musical performances but in general, the odds of there being a viral segment on there are significantly smaller. What we’re really looking at here is a situation where what you are going to enjoy the most this holiday depends largely on your own personal preference.

What do you most want to see moving into CNN New Year’s Eve 2026?

Are you excited for at least a few surprises? Be sure to share right now in the attached comments! Once You do just that, remember to also come back here to get some other updates.

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