The Ultimate Guide: What Time Is Saturday Night Live On Tonight, December 20, 2025?

The answer to "What time is Saturday Night Live on tonight?" is crucial for comedy fans, especially as we head into a major, star-studded end-of-year episode. For Saturday, December 20, 2025, you can catch the latest installment of the iconic late-night sketch comedy show at its standard time: 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). This episode is particularly special as it marks the final new broadcast of Season 51 for the calendar year, featuring an unprecedented diva-sized pairing of a massive pop star as host and a legendary icon as the musical guest.

The show will air live simultaneously across both coasts—a tradition that began a few seasons ago to ensure no fan has to wait. This means if you are on the West Coast, you can tune in at 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). Whether you’re watching on NBC or streaming live on Peacock, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the air time, the hosts, and all your viewing options for this highly anticipated weekend.

The Definitive SNL Air Time and Channel for December 20, 2025

For decades, Saturday Night Live has been the cornerstone of late-night weekend viewing, and its air time remains consistent. Knowing the exact schedule is key, as a major new episode is airing tonight, Saturday, December 20, 2025, which is Episode 9 of Season 51.

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Here is the essential air time breakdown for viewers across the United States:

• Eastern Time (ET): 11:30 p.m.
• Central Time (CT): 10:30 p.m.
• Mountain Time (MT): 9:30 p.m.
• Pacific Time (PT): 8:30 p.m.

The show airs live on the NBC Television Network. For those who have cut the cord or prefer streaming, the entire broadcast is also available to stream live on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. This simultaneous live broadcast is a huge benefit for West Coast fans, who no longer have to wait three hours for the delayed feed.

The live-from-New York experience, broadcast from the famous Studio 8H in 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is the freshest comedy you can get, and the December 20th episode is guaranteed to be a major event before the holiday break.

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Who is Hosting and Performing on the Next New Episode?

The upcoming episode on December 20, 2025, is a spectacular holiday show that will close out the first half of Season 51. The show is known for ending the year with a bang, and this year is no exception, featuring two of the biggest names in entertainment.

Host: Ariana Grande

Taking the reins as host is the multi-talented superstar Ariana Grande. Grande is no stranger to the SNL stage, having previously served as both a host and musical guest in the past. Her return to Studio 8H is highly anticipated, and fans are eager to see her comedic chops in the sketches, especially her impressions and musical parodies. As a major pop culture entity, her monologue and involvement in the sketches are expected to be highlights of the night.

Musical Guest: Cher

In a pairing that has generated significant buzz, the legendary icon Cher will be the musical guest. Cher's performance is a massive get for the show and adds a layer of pop culture history to the episode. This makes the December 20th broadcast a must-watch for fans of both contemporary pop and classic music legends. It’s a perfect way to cap off the 2025 run of new episodes.

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How to Watch Saturday Night Live: Streaming and Catch-Up Options

While the classic way to watch SNL is tuning into NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET, there are several modern viewing options that offer flexibility, especially if you miss the live broadcast or prefer streaming on-the-go.

Watching Live via Streaming

The most convenient way to watch Saturday Night Live live without a traditional cable subscription is through Peacock. Peacock Premium subscribers can stream the show live at 11:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. PT) as it airs on NBC. This is the only official streaming service that offers the live broadcast.

• Peacock: Live stream available with a Premium subscription.
• Live TV Streaming Services: Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV (with the NBC channel included) also carry the live broadcast.

Catching Up On-Demand

If you can't stay up until 1:00 a.m. (or later, depending on your time zone) to catch the full show, you have several options to watch the episode on Sunday morning or later:

1. Peacock: The new episode is typically available to stream on-demand on Peacock by 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. This is the fastest way to catch the full episode if you miss the live airing.

2. NBC.com and NBC App: Full episodes are usually posted to the NBC website and app the day after the broadcast. You may need to sign in with a TV provider (cable or live TV streaming) to access them.

3. YouTube and Social Media: The individual sketches—including the cold open, the monologue, and the Weekend Update segment—are uploaded to SNL's official YouTube channel and social media platforms throughout the night and the following morning. This is perfect for watching the highlights without committing to the full 90-minute show.

What to Expect After the December 20th Episode

As the December 20th episode is the final new show of 2025, Saturday Night Live will enter its traditional winter hiatus. This means that for the next few weeks, NBC will likely air reruns, or "classic" episodes, at the standard 11:30 p.m. ET time slot. This is a common practice for the late-night comedy series.

The show will return with new episodes for the second half of Season 51, typically in mid-to-late January 2026. Keep an eye on official SNL and NBC announcements for the exact date and the first hosts of the new year. Until then, enjoy the final new comedy offering of 2025 with host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher tonight!