The Official Guide To SNL50: 15+ Confirmed Stars & The Exact Date You Can't Miss

The monumental 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live (SNL) is officially set to air, marking one of the biggest television events of the decade. After months of anticipation and speculation, the date for the star-studded, three-hour special has been confirmed, promising a spectacular reunion of comedy legends, musical icons, and Hollywood heavyweights. This article, updated in December 2025, provides the definitive breakdown of the "SNL50" celebration, including the exact broadcast details, the massive list of confirmed returning cast members and celebrity guests, and the full schedule of anniversary events.

The special, officially titled "SNL50: The Anniversary Special," will be a massive retrospective of the show's five decades of cultural impact, political satire, and groundbreaking comedy. Fans should prepare for a nostalgic journey back to Studio 8H, featuring new sketches, classic character reprisals, and emotional tributes to the show that launched thousands of careers. Here is everything you need to know about the can’t-miss event.

SNL 50th Anniversary Special: Broadcast Details and Confirmed Appearances

The "SNL50" celebration is not just a single broadcast; it's a multi-day event culminating in the main special. The core event is a live, three-hour telecast that will follow the format of a typical Saturday Night Live episode, complete with an opening monologue, new and revisited sketches, and a special edition of "Weekend Update."

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Official Broadcast Date and Time

• Event Title: SNL50: The Anniversary Special (also billed as SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration)
• Air Date: Sunday, February 16, 2025
• Time: 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
• Network: NBC
• Streaming: Live on Peacock
• Location: Live from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center, New York City

The Star-Studded Guest and Alumni Lineup (Entity List)

The true measure of SNL's legacy is its alumni and the hosts who have graced its stage. The 50th-anniversary special is set to feature a colossal, unprecedented gathering of comedic talent. While the final list of attendees is still growing, the following names have been confirmed or heavily rumored to be part of the celebration, ensuring a high level of topical authority for the event. This list includes former cast members, iconic hosts, and musical guests.

Confirmed and Expected Cast Alumni:

• Eddie Murphy (1980–1984)
• Tina Fey (1999–2006)
• Amy Poehler (2001–2008)
• Adam Sandler (1991–1995)
• Will Ferrell (1995–2002)
• Chris Rock (1990–1993)
• Fred Armisen (2002–2013)
• Andy Samberg (2005–2012)
• Martin Short (1984–1985)
• Chevy Chase (1975–1976)
• Garrett Morris (1975–1980)
• Jason Sudeikis (2003–2013)
• Colin Jost (Current Cast/Head Writer)
• Michael Che (Current Cast/Head Writer)

Confirmed and Expected Celebrity Guests & Iconic Hosts:

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• Tom Hanks (Iconic Host)
• Steve Martin (Iconic Host)
• Dave Chappelle (Iconic Host)
• John Mulaney (Writer/Host)
• Adam Driver (Host)
• Kim Kardashian (Host)
• Ayo Edebiri (Host)
• Bad Bunny (Musical Guest/Host)
• Miley Cyrus (Musical Guest/Host)
• Paul McCartney (Musical Guest)
• Sabrina Carpenter (Musical Guest)
• David Letterman (Special Guest)

The sheer number of high-profile names guarantees that the special will be a non-stop parade of star power, likely exceeding the already legendary turnout for the 40th-anniversary show.

The Full SNL 50th Anniversary Celebration Schedule

The main special on Sunday is the grand finale, but NBC and Peacock are rolling out a full weekend of celebratory programming. Fans who want to fully immerse themselves in the world of SNL's golden jubilee have several key dates to mark on their calendars. This expanded schedule ensures that even the most dedicated fans have fresh content to enjoy.

Friday, February 14, 2025: The Homecoming Concert

The celebration kicks off with "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert." This event will focus on the incredible musical history of the show, which has hosted virtually every major artist in modern music. It will stream live on Peacock and feature performances and appearances from musical alumni and guests, setting a celebratory tone for the weekend.

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Saturday, February 15, 2025: A Look Back

On the eve of the main event, NBC will re-broadcast the very first episode of Saturday Night Live, which originally aired on October 11, 1975. This is a rare opportunity to see the show's humble beginnings, featuring the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" like Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and Laraine Newman.

Additionally, a documentary focused on the music of SNL, titled "Questlove's 50 Years of SNL Music," has already aired and is available for streaming on Peacock, offering a deep dive into the show’s legendary musical moments.

Sunday, February 16, 2025: Red Carpet and Main Event

The main event on Sunday will be preceded by a multi-hour live red carpet special. Similar to the 40th anniversary, this pre-show will feature interviews with the arriving celebrities, offering a glimpse of the fashion and excitement as the stars return to Rockefeller Center. This is where fans can catch the first live reactions and anecdotes before the three-hour show begins.

What to Expect: Format, Sketches, and Nostalgia

The "SNL50" special is expected to closely mirror the highly successful format of the "SNL 40th Anniversary Special," which balanced live sketches with archival footage and musical performances. The show will be a high-energy mix of the past and present, aiming to please both long-time viewers and newer fans.

Iconic Sketches and Character Revivals

The special is built on nostalgia, and the biggest draw is seeing beloved characters and sketches return. While the exact lineup of sketches is a closely guarded secret, speculation is high for revivals of fan-favorites.

• "Weekend Update": This segment is a near-certainty to return, likely featuring a rotating cast of former anchors like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers joining current hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che.
• The Californians: Given Fred Armisen’s expected attendance, a return to the melodramatic soap opera sketch is highly likely.
• Dick in a Box/Lazy Sunday: The presence of Andy Samberg and the focus on digital shorts suggests a new or retrospective look at The Lonely Island's groundbreaking contributions.
• Celebrity Jeopardy!: This classic sketch, which features Will Ferrell's iconic Alex Trebek, is a perennial favorite for anniversary shows.
• The Coneheads: An original-era sketch that often makes an appearance at major reunions.

The Emotional Tributes

A significant portion of the special will be dedicated to honoring the legends who are no longer with us, including John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, and Jan Hooks. The show is expected to include a heartfelt "In Memoriam" segment, paying tribute to the cast members, writers, and crew who shaped the show's history.

The celebration will also highlight the show’s political satire, from Dan Aykroyd’s Nixon to Will Ferrell’s George W. Bush, and the modern-day portrayals of presidents, showcasing how SNL has reflected and influenced the American political landscape for five decades.

Why SNL50 is More Than Just a TV Special

The 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live is a cultural touchstone. It represents half a century of live television, a feat of endurance and relevance that few other programs can claim. The show’s ability to constantly reinvent itself while serving as a launching pad for generations of comedy superstars—from the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players to the digital-era stars—is its greatest legacy.

This special is a masterclass in marketing nostalgia, leveraging the collective memory of millions of viewers who grew up watching the show. The strategic scheduling of the concert, the re-broadcast, and the red carpet event creates a weekend-long cultural moment, ensuring maximum buzz and viewership. Don't miss the chance to witness television history when the "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" airs on Sunday, February 16, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. It will be the biggest comedy reunion ever assembled.