Is There A New Saturday Night Live Tonight? Your Ultimate SNL Holiday Schedule Guide For December 2025

The short answer is no, there is not a new episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) tonight, December 15, 2025. The legendary sketch comedy show, which is currently in its 51st season, airs exclusively on Saturday nights. Since today is a Monday, you will not find a new live broadcast from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. However, the good news is that the show is wrapping up its 2025 run with a massive, star-studded final new episode this coming Saturday, December 20, 2025, before heading into its traditional holiday break. This article will break down the full, current schedule so you don't miss any of the fresh, late-season content.

The current Season 51 has been delivering a strong lineup of hosts and musical guests, and the final new episode of the calendar year is set to be one of the biggest. After tonight, fans have just a few days to wait for the highly anticipated last show of the year, which will also serve as the mid-season finale before the show returns in the new year.

The Complete SNL Schedule: What's On and What's Next?

Since Saturday Night Live does not air new episodes on a Monday, the program is currently on a brief hiatus between live shows. For tonight, December 15, 2025, NBC will likely be airing a rerun of a classic or recent episode. To catch the next fresh, new sketches, you’ll need to tune in this weekend. Here is the definitive schedule for the final new episode of 2025 and the planned return in 2026, which is crucial for any dedicated SNL fan to know.

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The Final New Episode of 2025: A Christmas Extravaganza

The last original episode of the calendar year is scheduled for:

• Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
• Host: Ariana Grande
• Musical Guest: Cher

This is a major television event, as it marks the third time Ariana Grande has hosted the show, showcasing her multi-talented abilities in both comedy and music. The addition of music icon Cher as the musical guest creates a powerhouse duo to close out the year. The episode is expected to be a holiday-themed spectacular, full of memorable sketches and celebrity cameos that traditionally accompany the final show before Christmas.

Recap of the Last New Episode

The last original episode to air was just this past Saturday, December 13, 2025. This episode marked a successful run for a new host and a celebrated musical artist:

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• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Host: Josh O’Connor
• Musical Guest: Lily Allen

Josh O'Connor, best known for his dramatic roles, made his hosting debut and was praised for his comedic timing and commitment to the sketches. This episode officially concluded the first half of the December run, setting the stage for the big mid-season finale.

SNL's Mid-Season Break and 2026 Return

Following the December 20th episode, Saturday Night Live will take its customary mid-season break. This annual hiatus allows the cast and crew to rest, recharge, and prepare for the second half of Season 51. During this time, NBC typically airs reruns of the season's most popular episodes and holiday specials, so your Saturday night comedy fix won't be entirely gone, but it won't be fresh.

The show is currently scheduled to return in the new year with a fresh episode on:

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• Return Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026

While the host and musical guest for the January 24th return are yet to be officially announced, the anticipation is already building for who will kick off the 2026 run. Fans should keep an eye on official SNL and NBC social media channels for the latest announcements, which usually drop in early January.

Spotlight on the Upcoming Talent: Ariana Grande and Cher

The December 20th episode is a must-watch due to the caliber of its talent. Here is a brief profile of the two iconic figures set to close out the year, which speaks to the show's topical authority and ability to attract A-list celebrities.

Ariana Grande – Host (December 20, 2025)

• Born: June 26, 1993 (Boca Raton, Florida)
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
• SNL History: This will be her third time hosting/performing. She previously hosted and served as the musical guest in March 2016, and appeared as a musical guest in 2014.
• Recent Projects: Her highly anticipated new album and her starring role in the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked (as Glinda).
• Notable Achievements: Multiple Grammy Awards, numerous Guinness World Records, and one of the most-streamed artists globally.

Cher – Musical Guest (December 20, 2025)

• Born: May 20, 1946 (El Centro, California)
• Occupation: Singer, Actress, Television Personality
• SNL History: Cher has appeared on SNL multiple times throughout its history, dating back to the 1970s. Her appearances are always highly memorable and often feature surprise cameos.
• Recent Projects: Continuing her Las Vegas residency and various music projects, proving her status as a timeless icon.
• Notable Achievements: An Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. She is one of the few artists to have won all four major American entertainment awards (EGOT status, if counting her Emmy and Golden Globe wins as a TV/Film performer).

Why SNL Remains a Cultural Touchstone

Even when a new episode isn't airing, the conversation around Saturday Night Live never stops. The show's power lies in its ability to quickly integrate current events, political satire, and pop culture into its sketches, making it instantly topical and relevant. The cast members, including long-standing players like Kenan Thompson and Michael Che, alongside newer breakouts, consistently deliver performances that drive social media trends and water cooler talk for the entire week.

The show is broadcast live across all time zones on NBC, starting at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT. For those who miss the live broadcast, new episodes of Season 51 are available to stream the next day on Peacock, NBC's streaming service. So, while there is no new episode tonight, Monday, December 15, 2025, mark your calendars for this Saturday to catch the final, must-see episode of the year before the show takes its seasonal break.