November 2, 2026Updated November 3, 2026, 10:21 a.m. ET
The Kennedy Center honorees for 2026 have been revealed.
On Nov. 2, the cultural center announced the final group of artists set to receive Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Honors: singer and songwriter Paul Anka, composer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, writer David Mamet and musician Barbara Mandrell will be recognized at the annual ceremony, scheduled for December.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognize “individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world” and who have “impacted the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts.”
“We recognize extraordinary artists whose work throughout their lives has shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences,” President Donald Trump said in a statement. “We are proud to honor this year’s class and continue a tradition that has defined the Center for nearly 50 years.”
George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone were the most recent winners. They were recognized at a December 2025 ceremony hosted by Trump, who became the first president to host the event. The show aired on CBS and Paramount+.
Trump’s actions around the Kennedy Center have sparked controversy and legal challenges since 2025, after the president took over as chairman of the board, which voted to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
In September, the center’s Trump-aligned board voted to close the main building for renovations, but the president threatened to increase renovations if his name was not added to the building. A judge previously blocked a board vote to close the center. The legal battle that will determine the future of the Kennedy Center still remains ongoing.
The 49th annual Kennedy Center Honors is scheduled for December 7. The event will not take place at the Kennedy Center, but at the Capital One Arena in Washington.
Contributors: Joey Garrison and Melina Khan, USA TODAY
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