Is SNL Live Tonight? Your Ultimate Guide To The December 2025 Schedule, Host, And Musical Guest Lineup

Is *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) new tonight, December 10, 2025? As of this week, the answer for Wednesday night is no, but the good news for fans is that the show is deep into its new season run and will be back with a brand-new, live episode this coming Saturday! The legendary sketch comedy series broadcasts live every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on NBC, with a simultaneous live stream available on Peacock, ensuring you can catch the latest political satire and celebrity parodies as they happen. The current Season 51 is wrapping up its final episodes of the year, promising a strong finish with a lineup of major stars.

To get straight to the point for the upcoming weekend, the show is indeed live this Saturday, December 13, 2025. The upcoming episode will feature a highly anticipated first-time host, a critically acclaimed actor known for his dramatic roles, and will be one of the final new episodes before the show breaks for the holiday season. This final stretch of shows leading up to the Christmas break is often considered the most exciting, as the writers and cast pull out all the stops.

The Next New Episode: Host, Musical Guest, and Air Date

The next new episode of *Saturday Night Live* will air on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This episode is one of the most anticipated of the season, featuring a host making their debut on the iconic Studio 8H stage. This is a crucial episode for fans of both dramatic and comedic acting, as the host is stepping outside his usual genre to tackle live sketch comedy.

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• Host: Josh O'Connor
• Musical Guest: To Be Announced (TBA)
• Air Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Time: 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT
• Where to Watch: Live on NBC and streaming live on Peacock

Josh O'Connor is best known for his award-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in the Netflix series *The Crown*. His hosting gig follows a series of high-profile hosts for Season 51, including Glen Powell and the recently wrapped episode featuring comedy icon Melissa McCarthy. O'Connor’s experience in period dramas and intense roles suggests his SNL appearance could be a delightful surprise, potentially showcasing a hidden comedic talent or a willingness to lean into self-parody. The announcement of the musical guest for this specific date is usually confirmed closer to the air date, so fans should keep an eye on official SNL social media channels for the final word.

Josh O'Connor: A Brief Biography and Career Highlights

Josh O'Connor is a British actor who has quickly risen to prominence in the film and television world, earning critical acclaim and major awards. His transition from serious drama to the unpredictable world of live sketch comedy is a major draw for the upcoming episode.

Full Name: Josh O'Connor

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Date of Birth: May 20, 1990

Place of Birth: Southampton, Hampshire, England

Key Career Highlights:

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• Breakthrough Role: Played Johnny Saxby in the 2017 film *God's Own Country*, for which he received a British Independent Film Award.
• The Crown: Gained global recognition for his role as Prince Charles in the third and fourth seasons of the Netflix series *The Crown*.
• Major Awards: Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for his work on *The Crown*.
• Recent Film Work: Starred in the 2024 romantic sports comedy *Challengers* alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist, which further cemented his status as a versatile leading man.
• Other Notable Roles: Appeared in the 2020 film *Emma.* and the 2023 film *La Chimera*.

O'Connor's appearance on *Saturday Night Live* is an excellent opportunity for him to reach a new, broader American audience outside of his typical dramatic fare. Fans are eager to see how the SNL writers will incorporate his distinctive look and serious acting chops into their trademark humorous sketches.

The Final Stretch: December’s Star-Studded SNL Lineup

The month of December 2025 is set to be one of the most high-impact periods for *Saturday Night Live* Season 51, featuring a trio of hosts that span comedy legends, dramatic actors, and pop music megastars. This scheduling strategy, often used to boost ratings before the holiday hiatus, ensures there is something for every viewer.

The Pre-Holiday Schedule Breakdown

The final three episodes of the year, which began with the December 6th show, are a must-watch for any pop culture enthusiast. This stretch of shows is vital for the show’s topical authority, as they often feature the most memorable political cold opens and holiday-themed sketches.

December 6, 2025: Melissa McCarthy

The episode immediately preceding O'Connor’s was hosted by the brilliant comedian and actress Melissa McCarthy. A seasoned SNL veteran, McCarthy is a member of the coveted "Five-Timers Club" (or close to it), known for her physical comedy and unforgettable impressions, most notably her Emmy-winning portrayal of Sean Spicer. This episode likely featured high-energy sketches and a number of surprise cameos, setting a high bar for the rest of the month.

December 13, 2025: Josh O'Connor

As detailed above, this is the upcoming live episode. The choice of O'Connor demonstrates SNL's continued commitment to bringing in hosts from various entertainment backgrounds, providing the cast with fresh material and different acting styles to bounce off of. Expect sketches that play on his regal background from *The Crown* or his work in *Challengers*.

December 20, 2025: Ariana Grande

The final new episode of 2025 is scheduled for December 20th, featuring the global pop superstar Ariana Grande. This will be a major event, as Grande is an accomplished singer, actress, and impressionist. She has previously appeared on the show as both a host and musical guest. Her return, especially to close out the year, is a huge draw and is expected to be one of the highest-rated episodes of the season. The combination of her comedic timing and undeniable musical talent means this episode will likely be a true variety show, blending music, sketches, and potentially even a few celebrity impressions.

How to Watch SNL Live and On Demand

For those asking "is SNL live tonight" on a given Saturday, knowing the viewing options is essential. *Saturday Night Live* is famous for its "live coast-to-coast" broadcast, meaning viewers across the United States can watch the show simultaneously, regardless of their time zone.

• Live Broadcast: Tune in to NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET (which is 10:30 p.m. Central, 9:30 p.m. Mountain, and 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time).
• Live Streaming: The entire live show is simulcast on the NBC streaming service, Peacock. This is the easiest way for cord-cutters to watch the show live as it airs.
• On-Demand Viewing: If you miss the live broadcast, new episodes are typically available to stream on Peacock the following morning. You can also find clips of individual sketches, the cold open, and "Weekend Update" on the official SNL YouTube channel shortly after the broadcast.

Whether you are tuning in for the political commentary, the latest viral sketch, or to see a dramatic actor like Josh O'Connor tackle comedy, the final episodes of *Saturday Night Live* Season 51 are set to deliver. The show will then take a traditional holiday break, with new episodes returning in early 2026, so make sure to catch the December 13th and December 20th broadcasts while they are fresh!