As we ring in 2022, we say goodbye to year two of a global pandemic. But with the surging omicron COVID-19 variant sweeping across the nation and taking its toll, many New Year’s Eve celebrations around the country are being canceled, including Atlanta’s Peach Drop for the third year in a row.
It may not be the best time for a wild, crowded New Year’s Eve party just yet, but that means more time to do what we’ve become experts at during lockdown: spending quality time with family or a small group of friends at home.
Put on your party hat, ice the Champagne and grab the remote — here are the best New Year’s Eve celebrations to watch from the comfort of your couch:
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”
It’s the 50th-anniversary celebration of “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host for the 17th time. The Dunwoody High School alumn will share duties with co-hosts Liza Koshy, Billy Porter and Ciara from Times Square. And for the first time in the show’s history, Roselyn Sánchez along with performer Daddy Yankee will host a Spanish-language countdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This year’s performers include Jennifer Lopez, Cyndi Lauper, Porter, Jimmie Allen, and Nelly, among others. Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, Mayor Bill De Blasio announced that the celebrations will continue, but with stricter rules and fewer revelers at the venue.
Where to watch: You can watch the famous ball drop on ABC (via cable, YouTube TV+, Hulu+). Or if you don’t have any of those options, the event will be live-streamed at TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream.com/2022 and TimesSquareBall.net starting at 6 p.m. when the ball is raised above One Times Square.
“2021 And Done With Snoop Dogg And Kevin Hart”
The NBCU streamer Peacock has teamed up with comedy duo Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart yet again, and the special “2021 And Done” is already available to watch. In it, the pair provides edgy and hilarious takes on everything that happened in the previous year, from politics to fashion to sports and space billionaires.
Where to watch: Streaming now on Peacock.
“2021: It’s Toast! With Hoda And Jenna”
In the two-hour special “2021: It’s Toast!” airing Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. on NBC, “Today” co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager will reflect on some of the year’s more lighthearted and humorous moments.
They’ll be looking back at viral videos, trends, bloopers, and pranks “that provided a much-needed break during a challenging year,” with a star-studded lineup of guests including Lisa Vanderpump, Carson Kressley, Howie Mandel and Michael Bublé.
Where to watch: 8 p.m. on NBC.
“Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party”
Once “2021: It’s Toast!” signs off the air, Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson will take over on NBC. They will co-host a show from Miami that features performances by Saweeti, Brandi Carlile, Billie Joe Armstrong and 24KGoldn.
It will be the first time since 2004 that Carson Daly will not host NBC’s New Year’s Eve coverage (with the exception of Dec. 31, 2017, when it was canceled due to an NFL game).
Where to watch: Live on NBC starting at 10:30 p.m. and live-streamed on Peacock from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live”
For the fifth year, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will host CNN’s New Year’s Eve celebration from Times Square. The celebration will include performances and appearances from Katy Perry, William Shatner, Amanda Gorman, Duran Duran, Patti LuPone, David Arquette and Leslie Jordan.
At 12:30 a.m., the duo will hand over to CNN’s Don Lemon and Alisyn Camerota, as well as comedian Dulce Sloan, who will keep the party going in New Orleans to ring in the Central Time Zone.
Where to watch: CNN and streaming on CNNGo app at 8 p.m.
“Nashville’s Big Bash”
More than 50 country music live acts will be hosted by Bobby Bones and “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent Rachel Smith at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The annual live concert kicks off at 8 p.m. with headliners including Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Blake Shelton among many others.
The show will air twice over five hours, counting down the East Coast midnight and returning to count down at the show’s Nashville base.
Where to watch: On CBS, starting at 7 p.m. It will also be available on Paramount+ for live and on-demand streaming.
“Feliz 2022 con El Gordo y La Flaca”
“El Gordo y La Flaca,” Univision’s popular entertainment news show, ends the year with a special program hosted by Lili Estefan and Raúl de Molina. The show goes coast-to-coast with Tanya Charry (Los Angeles), reporter Gelena Solano (New York) and reporter Elizabeth Curiel (Mexico). Musical guests include Nacho, Gloria Estefan, Guaynaa, Calibre 50, Farruko, CNCO and Carlos Vives.
Where to watch: Univision starting at 11:00 p.m.
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