Was SNL New Last Night? Your Essential Guide To The Latest Saturday Night Live Schedule And Winter Break

The answer to "Was SNL new last night?" is no, as of today, Thursday, December 18, 2025. *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) airs live on Saturdays, meaning the last broadcast was on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and it was a brand-new episode, not a rerun. This episode, Season 51, Episode 8, featured a highly anticipated hosting debut and a dynamic musical performance, kicking off the final run of shows before the show's annual winter break. The comedy landscape is rapidly shifting, and the show is concluding its 2025 run with a bang, setting the stage for a major holiday finale this upcoming weekend.

The most recent new episode of *Saturday Night Live* was a fresh broadcast that aired on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBC and streaming live on Peacock. Fans who missed the latest installment can catch up on all the viral sketches and political satire before the show heads into its Christmas break. The final two episodes of the year are always a major event, and the December 13th show provided a strong lead-in to the season's grand finale.

The Most Recent New Episode: Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen's Dynamic Debut

The new episode that aired on December 13, 2025, was a significant one for the 51st season. It marked the first time hosting for the British actor Josh O'Connor, known for his critically acclaimed roles in projects like *The Crown* and the upcoming film *Wake Up Dead Man*. O'Connor’s quiet, charming demeanor provided a unique contrast to the show's usual high-energy hosts, leading to several memorable and understated sketches.

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The episode’s musical guest was the pop-punk icon Lily Allen, who delivered an explosive live performance. Allen performed tracks from her latest album, *West End Girl*, captivating the audience with her raw energy and distinctive vocal style. Her presence on the legendary Stage 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza was a major draw for fans of both alternative music and comedy.

Key Sketches and Viral Moments from December 13, 2025

While the entire episode was packed with new material, a few sketches from the Josh O'Connor-hosted show immediately went viral online, dominating social media discussions and YouTube trending pages. These moments are essential viewing for anyone catching up on the latest in the *SNL* universe:

• "Actors on Actors" Holiday Spoof: One of the most talked-about sketches was a holiday-themed parody of the popular "Actors on Actors" interview series. This sketch featured a hilarious, unexpected pairing of Josh O'Connor with a cast member playing a bizarre version of The Grinch, providing sharp commentary on Hollywood's awards season and celebrity culture.
• Weekend Update's Standout Guest: The Weekend Update segment, anchored by Colin Jost and Michael Che, featured a viral guest star. This segment often serves as the show's political and cultural barometer, and the December 13th guest delivered a memorable, highly-quoted performance that quickly became a trending topic.
• Surprise Cameo: The episode also included a surprise appearance by actress Dakota Johnson, adding an extra layer of star power and boosting the overall energy of the night.

The ensemble cast, including veteran players like Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and Ego Nwodim, provided strong support, ensuring O'Connor's hosting debut was a success. The episode continued the 51st season's trend of blending political satire with bizarre, character-driven comedy.

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What's Next? The Final New Episode of 2025 and the Winter Hiatus

If you missed the December 13th show, don't worry—there is one more guaranteed new episode before *Saturday Night Live* takes its traditional holiday break. This final episode of the calendar year is always one of the most star-studded and highly anticipated broadcasts, serving as the Season 51 mid-season finale.

The Highly Anticipated December 20, 2025, Christmas Show

The next and final new episode of 2025 will air on Saturday, December 20, 2025. This is the show's annual Christmas episode and will be Season 51, Episode 9.

The lineup for this grand finale is nothing short of legendary:

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• Host: The multi-talented pop superstar Ariana Grande will take the stage as the host. Grande is known for her impressive comedic timing and vocal ability, promising a night of high-production sketches and celebrity impressions.
• Musical Guest: The iconic, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner Cher is scheduled to appear as the musical guest. This is a major booking for the show, ensuring a massive audience tune-in for the final performance of the year.

This episode is expected to be packed with holiday-themed sketches, political commentary on the end-of-year news cycle, and memorable appearances, often featuring returning cast members or other celebrity cameos for the Christmas send-off.

When Does SNL Return from Winter Break?

Following the December 20th Christmas episode, *Saturday Night Live* will go on its annual winter hiatus. This break allows the writers, cast, and crew a much-needed rest during the holiday season after a strenuous run of back-to-back new episodes.

While the exact return date for the first new episode of 2026 (the second half of Season 51) is not officially confirmed until closer to the new year, *SNL* typically returns in late January. Fans can expect new episodes to resume sometime between the third and fourth Saturday of January 2026. During the break, NBC usually airs reruns of the most popular episodes from the current season and previous years, allowing viewers to revisit classic sketches and catch up on any missed content on Peacock. Keep an eye on the official NBC and *SNL* social media channels for the official announcement of the January 2026 return date and the first host of the new year.

In summary, while *SNL* was not new last night (Wednesday, December 17, 2025), the most recent new episode was a highly-rated show on December 13th with Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen, and the final new episode of 2025, featuring Ariana Grande and Cher, is just around the corner on December 20th.