New Year’s Eve Television Specials: Your Guide to Ringing in 2025

Dick Clark’s iconic New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will return for its 53rd year, promising a spectacular celebration to usher in 2025. Ryan Seacrest will continue his hosting duties, joined by Rita Ora in Times Square. The star-studded lineup includes performances by Lenny Kravitz, Jonas Brothers, Teddy Swims, Alanis Morisette, and Cody Johnson, guaranteeing a night filled with music and excitement.

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For country music fans, CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash offers a different flavor of celebration. Keith Urban and Rachel Smith will host from Nashville, while Cody Alan and Lonnie Quinn cover the Times Square festivities. The lineup boasts a stellar cast of country music superstars, including Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Big & Rich, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, and Lainey Wilson.

Viewers seeking a blend of news and entertainment can turn to CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Returning for their eighth year together, Cooper and Cohen will bring their unique brand of humor and commentary to the night’s events. This year’s special will feature performances and appearances by 50 Cent, Sting, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Diplo, Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, and Michael Ian Black.

For those who prefer comedic reflection on the past year, Peacock offers “Back that Year Up,” hosted by Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson. This special promises a hilarious look back at the most memorable moments in pop culture, sports, and entertainment, featuring appearances from Jon Hamm, Machine Gun Kelly, Mookie Betts, Blake Griffin, Jonquel Jones, and Kenny G.

NBC’s “A Toast to 2024!” with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager provides a more traditional New Year’s Eve experience. This two-hour special will celebrate the year’s highlights with a mix of celebrity guests, including Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, George Lopez, Michael Bublé, and Jeff Goldblum. The show promises a warm and engaging way to reflect on the past year and welcome the new one.

These diverse New Year’s Eve television specials offer a variety of entertainment options for viewers of all tastes. Whether you prefer high-energy musical performances, comedic retrospectives, or a blend of news and entertainment, there’s a show to help you ring in 2025 in style. From iconic ball drops to intimate musical performances, these specials promise to make your New Year’s Eve memorable, regardless of how you choose to celebrate.