Is SNL Live Tonight? The Shocking Winter Hiatus Schedule And When Season 51 Returns
The answer to "Is SNL live tonight?" is a definitive no. As of today, Monday, December 22, 2025, *Saturday Night Live* is officially on its annual winter break, following the spectacular Christmas episode that concluded the first half of Season 51. The cast and crew are taking a well-deserved hiatus, meaning there will be no new live episodes airing for the remainder of December 2025 and the first two weeks of January 2026. Fans eager for new sketches will have to wait a few more weeks for the show's highly anticipated return.
For those checking the schedule this week, the show is expected to air a repeat episode, often a fan-favorite or a holiday special, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at its usual time slot. The good news is that the show has already announced its return date and the star-studded lineup that will kick off the new year, promising a fresh batch of political satire and pop culture parody as Season 51 continues.
SNL Season 51: The Final 2025 Episodes and Winter Break Schedule
The first half of *Saturday Night Live* Season 51 wrapped up with a trio of memorable episodes, culminating in the traditional Christmas show. The schedule leading into the winter hiatus was packed with big names and surprising musical guests, giving fans plenty to rewatch during the break. The show’s production schedule typically runs from October to May, with a major hiatus around the holidays, which is why the question of "is SNL new tonight" becomes so common during this period.
Here is a recap of the final episodes of 2025 and the confirmed return date for the new year:
- December 6, 2025: Host Melissa McCarthy
- December 13, 2025: Host Josh O'Connor with Musical Guest Lily Allen
- December 20, 2025 (The Christmas Episode): Host Ariana Grande with Musical Guest Cher
The December 20th show, featuring Ariana Grande's return to Studio 8H, served as the mid-season finale, marking the end of new content for the calendar year. While the show is off the air, NBC and Peacock will fill the 11:30 PM ET slot with reruns of classic and recent episodes. This winter hiatus allows the writers, producers, and the entire production team to recharge and develop fresh material for the second half of the season, a crucial time for the topical sketch comedy series.
The Official SNL Return Date: Who is Hosting the First Episode of 2026?
The most important piece of information for *Saturday Night Live* fans right now is the official return date. The show will not be live on December 27, 2025, or January 3, 2026, or January 10, 2026. However, the wait is almost over! The show has confirmed its official date for the first new episode of the new year, which will kick off the second half of Season 51.
The next new, live episode of *Saturday Night Live* will air on:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026
This episode will be the 10th episode of Season 51, and the show is starting the year with a bang, featuring two major stars from the worlds of film and music. The choice of host and musical guest suggests the show is leaning into younger, highly popular talent to draw a massive audience for its post-hiatus return.
January 17, 2026: Host and Musical Guest Details
Kicking off the 2026 leg of Season 51, the show has booked a host who is making his *Saturday Night Live* debut, alongside an acclaimed rapper who is also an SNL veteran. This combination is sure to generate buzz and provide plenty of material for sketches.
- Host: Finn Wolfhard
The young actor, best known for his roles in the hit Netflix series *Stranger Things* and the *It* horror franchise, will be taking the stage at Studio 8H for the very first time. Wolfhard's comedic timing has been praised in his various projects, and fans are eager to see how he handles the pressure of the live SNL format. His appearance is a major coup for the show, tapping into the massive *Stranger Things* fandom.
- Musical Guest: ASAP Rocky
The acclaimed rapper, producer, and fashion icon will be returning to the SNL stage as the musical guest. ASAP Rocky is known for his dynamic stage presence and genre-bending music, and his performance will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about moments of the night. This marks his second appearance on the show, following a previous performance that was highly praised for its artistic direction.
The January 17th episode promises to be a must-watch event, offering a blend of nostalgic pop culture references and cutting-edge music. It is a strategic move by the producers to ensure a huge audience tunes in right after the long winter break.
Where and How to Watch *Saturday Night Live* in 2026
Even when the show is on hiatus, knowing where to find the latest updates and how to stream past episodes is key for any dedicated fan. The show continues to leverage both traditional broadcast and modern streaming platforms to reach the largest possible audience.
Live Broadcast and Streaming Options
For the live broadcast of the new episode on January 17, 2026, and all subsequent episodes, the viewing details remain the same:
- Live Broadcast: NBC (National Broadcasting Company) at 11:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) / 10:30 PM Central Time (CT).
- Live Streaming: The show is available to stream live on the NBC website or through the NBC app for cable subscribers.
- Peacock Streaming: The most significant change in recent years is the availability on Peacock. All new episodes of *Saturday Night Live* are streamed simultaneously on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. This means you can watch the show live without a traditional cable subscription.
- Next-Day Streaming: If you miss the live broadcast, all episodes of Season 51 are available to stream on-demand on Peacock the following morning.
This dual-platform approach—live on NBC and simultaneously on Peacock—ensures that viewers across all demographics can tune in, whether they prefer the traditional TV experience or the flexibility of streaming. This is a critical factor for the show’s sustained topical authority and relevance in the modern media landscape.
Topical Authority: Why the Hiatus Matters
The winter hiatus is more than just a break for the cast; it is an important part of the show's production cycle that maintains its quality and topical authority. *Saturday Night Live* relies on being current and razor-sharp with its political and cultural commentary. A few weeks off allows the writers to step back, absorb the latest developments in the news, and return with a renewed perspective, preventing the sketches from becoming stale or repetitive.
Key entities and topics that will likely feature heavily in the second half of Season 51 include:
- The ongoing 2026 political landscape and upcoming elections.
- Major box office releases and Oscar contenders.
- Viral social media trends and TikTok personalities.
- The latest developments in artificial intelligence and technology.
- New music releases and celebrity scandals.
By returning in mid-January, the show positions itself perfectly to comment on the post-holiday news cycle and the start of the new legislative session. So, while the answer to "is SNL live tonight" is no, the anticipation for the January 17, 2026, return is high, promising a fresh and hilarious start to the new year.
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