Is There A New Saturday Night Live Tonight? Your Ultimate Guide To The SNL Winter Hiatus And 2026 Return
The short answer is no, there is no new episode of Saturday Night Live tonight, Monday, December 22, 2025. The iconic sketch comedy series has officially wrapped up its 2025 run and is now on its annual winter hiatus, following a spectacular final show of the year just this past weekend. While Studio 8H is dark for the holidays, fans won't be completely left without their fix, as NBC will likely air a classic or holiday-themed rerun tonight.
For viewers wondering about the schedule or what to expect, the Season 51 cast and crew are taking a well-deserved break after a busy fall season. This comprehensive guide will break down the exact date the show returns, who is hosting the first new episode of 2026, and a look back at the incredible hosts and musical guests who closed out the year.
The SNL Winter Hiatus: Confirmed Schedule and What's Airing Instead
The tradition of Saturday Night Live taking a break after the final December episode is a long-standing one, giving the writers, cast, and production team time off for the holidays before the intense production schedule resumes in the new year. The last live show of 2025 aired on Saturday, December 20, serving as the official mid-season finale for Season 51.
During the hiatus, NBC typically fills the 11:30 PM ET/PT time slot with reruns. Instead of a fresh batch of political satire, hilarious commercial parodies, and digital shorts, viewers can expect a classic or recent episode to be broadcast. This is a great opportunity for dedicated fans to catch up on an episode they might have missed or re-watch a fan-favorite sketch from the current or previous seasons. You can still stream every Season 51 episode on Peacock, which is the official streaming home for Saturday Night Live.
Key Details of the SNL Winter Break
- Last New Episode: Saturday, December 20, 2025 (Host: Ariana Grande, Musical Guest: Cher)
- Current Status: On Winter Hiatus
- What's Airing Tonight (Dec 22): A rerun or special holiday programming (check local listings for the exact episode)
- Season Status: Season 51 Mid-Season Break
- Network: NBC and Peacock
The Highly Anticipated Return: Host and Musical Guest for January 2026
The good news for fans is that the break is a short one. The show's producers, led by creator Lorne Michaels, have already announced the return date and the star-studded lineup to kick off the new year. This news has generated significant buzz across social media and entertainment news outlets, setting the stage for a strong start to the second half of Season 51.
The next new episode of Saturday Night Live is officially scheduled to air on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Kicking off the 2026 run will be a first-time host who is a major star in film and television, along with a prominent figure from the music world.
SNL's First Show of 2026: The Confirmed Lineup
The first episode back from the winter hiatus will feature:
- Host: Finn Wolfhard
- Musical Guest: A$AP Rocky
Finn Wolfhard, best known for his roles as Mike Wheeler in the Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things and Richie Tozier in the *It* film series, will make his hosting debut. His appearance is highly anticipated, as his comedic timing and familiarity with pop culture are expected to lead to some memorable sketches. Fans are already speculating on potential cameos from his *Stranger Things* co-stars or a parody of the show's upcoming final season.
Joining him is musical guest A$AP Rocky, the influential rapper, singer, and fashion icon. His performance will mark his third time as an SNL musical guest, and he is expected to debut new material from his upcoming projects. The combination of Wolfhard's youthful energy and A$AP Rocky's artistic flair promises a dynamic start to the new calendar year.
Recapping the December Run: A Star-Powered Finale
The final three episodes of 2025 were packed with high-profile celebrities, marking a strong close to the first leg of Season 51. The momentum generated by these shows is a great reason to re-watch the episodes during the break, as they featured some of the season's most talked-about sketches. The December run is often referred to as the "holiday run" and typically features some of the biggest names in entertainment.
The December 2025 Lineup
The three-week sprint to the holiday break featured an impressive roster of hosts and musical guests, adding significant topical authority to the season:
- December 6, 2025: Host Melissa McCarthy, a fan-favorite SNL veteran, returned to Studio 8H.
- December 13, 2025: Host Josh O'Connor, the Emmy-winning star of *The Crown*, made his hosting debut, showcasing his versatile acting skills in a live comedy format.
- December 20, 2025 (Mid-Season Finale): Host Ariana Grande, performing double duty as both host and musical guest Cher. Grande's hosting stint was a major event, and her chemistry with the repertory players was a highlight of the season.
These episodes provided plenty of material for fans to discuss during the holiday break, including political sketches involving the current administration, holiday-themed sketches, and breakout performances from cast members like Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman. The show’s ability to remain relevant and timely, even in its 51st season, is a testament to the enduring vision of Lorne Michaels and the talented writing staff.
What to Watch While You Wait: Essential SNL Content
While a new episode isn't airing tonight, the world of Saturday Night Live is vast. The winter hiatus is the perfect time to explore other SNL-related content and deep-dive into the history of the show. This can help viewers maintain their connection to the show and explore the careers of their favorite cast members.
Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Your SNL Fix
To deepen your appreciation for the show and its history, consider exploring these related topics and entities:
- The "Five-Timers Club": A prestigious group of celebrities who have hosted the show five or more times, including Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin.
- SNL Digital Shorts: Revisit some of the most famous pre-taped sketches, which revolutionized comedy, such as "Lazy Sunday" or "Dick in a Box" featuring The Lonely Island.
- The Repertory Players: Follow the careers of current and former cast members like Colin Jost, Michael Che, Kenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, and Pete Davidson.
- Peacock Streaming Library: Utilize the NBC streaming service to watch classic seasons, *SNL* specials, and the full archive of every episode.
- Studio 8H: The legendary location at 30 Rockefeller Plaza where the show has been broadcast live since 1975.
- Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon: Catch up on the late-night shows hosted by former SNL cast members, which often feature SNL alumni and similar comedic styles.
- Weekend Update: Re-watch classic installments of the news parody segment, a foundational element of the show's structure.
- The Groundlings and UCB: Explore the improv and sketch comedy theaters that serve as common training grounds for SNL talent.
- Lorne Michaels' Influence: Study the career and impact of the show's creator and executive producer, the single most important figure in the show's history.
In summary, while you won't be seeing a new sketch tonight, the break is brief. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 17, 2026, when Saturday Night Live returns with host Finn Wolfhard and musical guest A$AP Rocky to continue Season 51.
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