The Kennedy Center Honors have announced their 49th class. On Monday, November 2, 2026, the Kennedy Center named singer-songwriter Paul Anka, composer and producer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country singer Barbara Mandrell as the recipients of the 2026 Kennedy Center Honors.
The announcement was made by President Donald Trump together with the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, with the honorees chosen on the recommendation of the Special Honors Advisory Committee (SHAC). The five will be celebrated at a ceremony on Monday, December 7, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. — the first time since the Honors began in 1978 that the ceremony will take place outside the Kennedy Center building.
The 2026 Honorees
Paul Anka: The 85-year-old singer-songwriter behind enduring classics such as "Diana" and "My Way," whose songwriting career has spanned more than six decades.
David Foster: The 77-year-old composer and producer with 16 Grammy Awards to his name, celebrated for shaping some of pop music's biggest records.
Andy Garcia: The 70-year-old film actor best known for roles in The Godfather Part III and The Untouchables.
David Mamet: The 78-year-old playwright whose Glengarry Glen Ross won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Barbara Mandrell: The 77-year-old country music singer and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
A Historic First
The December 7 ceremony at Capital One Arena marks the first time since the Honors were established in 1978 that the event will not be held at the Kennedy Center itself. The Kennedy Center building has been closed since September 15 amid a legal dispute over renovation plans and an effort to add President Trump's name to the building. No television broadcaster for the ceremony has been named yet; CBS carried the Honors from 1978 through 2025, when its contract ended. Boeing is the exclusive underwriter of this year's gala.
Watch the Official Video
As of publication, the Kennedy Center has not released an official video of the 2026 honoree announcement on its YouTube channel. This post will be updated if an official video becomes available.
More from LatestLyrics: check out our LL Cool J biography, Bonnie Tyler's final recording news, George Michael's Faith Tour concert film, and Shania Twain's 2027 UK and Ireland tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 2026 Kennedy Center Honorees?
Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell, announced on November 2, 2026 as the 49th class of the Kennedy Center Honors.
When and where is the ceremony?
The ceremony takes place on Monday, December 7, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Why is it not at the Kennedy Center this year?
The Kennedy Center building has been closed since September 15 amid a legal dispute over renovation plans and an effort to add President Trump's name to the building, so the ceremony moves to Capital One Arena — a first in Honors history.
Will the ceremony be on TV?
No broadcaster has been announced yet. CBS carried the Honors from 1978 to 2025, when its contract ended.
0 Comments
Please don't enter any spam link in the comment box.
Emoji