The BBC has revealed its extensive New Year's Eve 2025 schedule, featuring music, chat shows, and live celebrations across TV, iPlayer, radio, and Sounds to welcome 2026. Highlights include specials hosted by Graham Norton, Ronan Keating, and Jools Holland, alongside Scottish Hogmanay festivities and London's fireworks. The lineup promises a mix of nostalgia, star guests, and diverse musical performances.
As 2025 draws to a close, the BBC is preparing a festive array of programming to usher in 2026. On BBC One and iPlayer, the evening kicks off at 10:30pm with the traditional New Year's Eve edition of The Graham Norton Show. Host Graham Norton will welcome guests including Tom Hiddleston, returning in the second series of The Night Manager; Laura Dern and Will Arnett, starring in Is This Thing On?; young actor Owen Cooper from the 2025 TV hit Adolescence; and Carey Mulligan with Tim Key in The Ballad of Wallis Island. Musical performer Alison Limerick will mark the 35th anniversary of her hit "Where Love Lives," while audience stories from the Big Red Chair add personal touches.
At 11:30pm, Ronan Keating hosts Ronan Keating & Friends on BBC One and iPlayer, joined by former Boyzone bandmates Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch for a nostalgic reunion. Boyzone, known for six UK number-one singles and over 25 million records sold worldwide, will perform alongside pop icon Louise, whose solo career has sold 15 million records; Shona, fresh from I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!; and Calum Scott, celebrated for songs like "You Are the Reason."
Switching to BBC Two at the same time, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra present the annual Hootenanny, featuring Ronnie Wood, Olivia Dean, Lulu, Jessie J, Craig David, Heather Small, The Kooks, Imelda May, Joe Webb, David Hermlin, and Ruby Turner.
For Scottish viewers, BBC One Scotland airs Hogmanay at 11:30pm, led by Amy Irons with performances from Nathan Evans, Michelle McManus, Robert Robertson, and Georgia Cécile, backed by Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire and Mànran. Live coverage from Edinburgh includes Des Clarke reporting on the Lone Piper, the firing of Mons Meg, and fireworks accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Midnight brings live fireworks from London's Thames on BBC One at 00:01am, with Big Ben's chimes.
Radio offerings span genres: BBC Radio 1 features James Cusack from 6pm and Connor Coates from 10pm; Radio 2 includes Sophie Ellis-Bextor's party anthems from 12pm and Michelle Visage's show from 10pm; Radio 3 has Soweto's jazz from 11:30pm with messages from Norma Winstone, NIJI, Gary Crosby, and Brandee Younger; Radio 5 Live previews 2026 TV from 10pm before Nick Bright's late-night slot; and 6 Music boasts Beth Ditto from 7pm, various DJs, and SHERELLE's jungle set until midnight, followed by Call Super, UNIIQU3, and AZADI.mp3.
This diverse schedule blends entertainment, music, and tradition for a global audience.
