The Final Two: Everything You Need To Know About SNL’s Last Musical Guests Of 2025, Featuring Lily Allen And Cher

As of Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the legendary Studio 8H is gearing up for its final two musical acts of the year, culminating in a star-studded Christmas finale that promises to be one of the most talked-about episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 51. Following a standout performance by the indie artist Dijon last week, the focus now shifts to a pair of iconic female artists: the UK’s brutally honest singer-songwriter Lily Allen and the incomparable pop icon, Cher.

The final stretch of the 2025 calendar year for SNL is packed with major debuts and legendary returns, solidifying the show's reputation for delivering must-watch live music. The upcoming episodes, featuring a celebrated actor and a global superstar taking on hosting duties, are set to send the season off on a high note before the show's winter hiatus.

The Final Lineup: Saturday Night Live Season 51 December 2025 Musical Guests

The 51st season of Saturday Night Live, under the continuing guidance of creator Lorne Michaels, has maintained a diverse and compelling roster of hosts and musical talent. Here is the essential breakdown of the final musical guests and hosts for the remainder of 2025, as confirmed by NBC.

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• December 13, 2025: Host Josh O’Connor / Musical Guest Lily Allen
• December 20, 2025 (Christmas Show): Host Ariana Grande / Musical Guest Cher
• Previous Episode (December 6, 2025): Host Melissa McCarthy / Musical Guest Dijon

This list confirms a fascinating blend of artists, from a critically acclaimed debut (Dijon) to a highly anticipated return to the stage (Lily Allen) and a monumental performance from a living legend (Cher). The choice of musical guests demonstrates a commitment to both current critical darlings and timeless commercial powerhouses.

Lily Allen’s Triumphant Return to the Stage: December 13, 2025

The episode airing on Saturday, December 13, is one of the most anticipated of the season, marking the SNL debut for both its host and musical guest. While British actor Josh O’Connor brings his dramatic chops from roles like Prince Charles in The Crown and his recent turn in the romantic sports film Challengers, all eyes are on the musical performance by Lily Allen.

A Cathartic Comeback with 'West End Girl'

Lily Allen’s appearance is particularly significant as it follows the release of her fifth studio album, West End Girl, which dropped on October 24, 2025. The album marks her first major musical output in seven years, making her SNL performance a crucial moment in her career comeback.

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The record has been described by critics as a "brutally honest" and "scathing" return to form, with Allen using her signature witty and candid lyricism to explore personal themes, including the aftermath of a split and motherhood. Her music often serves as a form of catharsis, a quality that is expected to translate into a raw and compelling live performance on the Studio 8H stage.

Fans and critics are eager to see which tracks from the new BMG-released album she chooses to perform. Will she lean into the emotional depth of her new songs, or will she treat the audience to a medley that includes her earlier, iconic hits like "Smile" or "The Fear"? Her performance is set to be a powerful statement, re-establishing her place in the contemporary music scene after her long hiatus.

A Christmas Extravaganza: Cher and Ariana Grande’s Star Power on December 20, 2025

The Saturday Night Live Christmas show, airing on December 20, is always a monumental event, and the 2025 finale is set to be one of the biggest in recent memory. The episode is being billed as a major "diva-sized" spectacle, featuring global superstar Ariana Grande as the host and the legendary pop icon Cher as the musical guest.

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Cher: The Goddess of Pop Takes the Stage

Cher's appearance as the musical guest is a massive coup for the show and a perfect capstone to the year. As a career-spanning artist whose influence stretches across six decades of music, film, and fashion, her performance is guaranteed to be a highlight of Season 51.

While details of her setlist are under tight wraps, the anticipation is electric. Will she perform a medley of her greatest hits, such as "Believe," "If I Could Turn Back Time," or "Strong Enough"? Could she debut new material, or perhaps even join host Ariana Grande—a noted vocal powerhouse in her own right—for a surprise duet? The sheer presence of Cher on the SNL stage ensures a performance that will be discussed for years to come, tapping into a deep well of pop culture history.

Ariana Grande: Host and Musical Force

The pairing of Cher with host Ariana Grande is a masterstroke of casting. Grande, who has previously appeared as a musical guest, is no stranger to the demands of live television and sketch comedy. Her hosting duties, alongside Cher's musical set, create an unprecedented level of star power for the final show of 2025.

The episode is set to be a celebration of female artistry and pop culture legacy, providing a spectacular send-off for the first half of the season. The combination of Grande's comedic timing and Cher's legendary stage presence makes the December 20th show a must-watch for fans of music and comedy alike.

The Season So Far: A Look at Dijon’s Groundbreaking Debut

To fully appreciate the diversity of the final two musical acts, it's worth looking back at the most recent performance on December 6, which showcased the rising star Dijon. This episode, hosted by the returning comedic titan Melissa McCarthy, saw Dijon make his highly anticipated SNL debut.

The Communal Power of Dijon’s Performance

Dijon, known for his experimental and genre-bending sound, brought a unique energy to the Studio 8H stage. His performance was notable for its communal and collaborative nature, featuring a massive band that included familiar faces like Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) and Nick Hakim.

His approach eschewed the typical polished pop performance for something more raw, intricate, and intimate, reflecting the ethos of his recent musical run. While some viewers noted that the live mixing may have been challenging for his complex arrangements, the performance was widely praised for its innovative spirit and emotional depth, offering a fresh contrast to the more mainstream musical guests of the season.

The inclusion of artists like Dijon, alongside established figures such as Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, and Brandi Carlile earlier in Season 51, demonstrates SNL's commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of contemporary music. The show continues to be a crucial platform for artists at every stage of their career, from groundbreaking debuts to late-career triumphs.

Conclusion: Setting the Stage for the New Year

The final two musical performances of 2025 on Saturday Night Live are poised to be historic. Lily Allen’s return on December 13 is a significant moment for her career, offering a live showcase for her cathartic new album, West End Girl. This will be followed by the colossal Christmas show on December 20, where the "Goddess of Pop," Cher, will grace the stage as the musical guest, creating a truly unforgettable night of television with host Ariana Grande.

These final episodes of Season 51 are not just closing out the year; they are setting a high bar for the music and comedy that will follow when SNL returns in the new year. Whether you are a fan of raw, honest songwriting or a monumental pop spectacle, the final musical guests of 2025 ensure that Saturday Night Live remains the premier destination for live, must-see television.