For the first time since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors won’t be held at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The 49th annual ceremony is heading to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, trading intimate theater seating for full arena scale. The show will still be called the Kennedy Center Honors, and President Trump’s name will not appear in the title.
The move comes after the Kennedy Center closed its main building on Sept. 15, 2026, for an estimated two-year renovation. On top of that, President Trump became chairman in February 2025 and has been deeply involved in choosing honorees, making this one of the more talked-about awards seasons in the institution’s history. A judge has also ordered the administration to provide 30 days’notice before any demolition steps.
What’s still up in the air? The 2026 honorees and the broadcast partner. CBS has aired every ceremony from 1978 through 2025, but that nearly 50-year streak hasn’t been confirmed for this year. Last year’s honorees included George Strait, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone, so whoever gets the nod this December has serious shoes to fill. Who do you think deserves to be honored in 2026?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.