Kennedy Center Honors 2026

Key Points:

• The Kennedy Center announced its 2026 honorees: singer Paul Anka, composer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, writer David Mamet, and musician Barbara Mandrell, to be recognized for lifetime achievement in the performing arts at a December ceremony.
• The Honors celebrate individuals whose artistic contributions have significantly influenced American culture and the performing arts.
• Former President Donald Trump, who has been involved in controversies and legal disputes over his role as chair of the Kennedy Center board and the renaming of the institution, praised the 2026 honorees.
• The 49th Kennedy Center Honors will be held on December 7, 2026, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., rather than the Kennedy Center itself due to ongoing renovation and legal issues.
• Recent honorees included George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and Sylvester Stallone, with Trump having hosted the 2025 ceremony, marking the first time a sitting president emceed the event.