As much as we would love to keep watching Saturday Night Live throughout the holiday season, we know that shows take breaks around this time of year. And this is one of them. There are no more new episodes of SNL in 2025, and while that is disappointing, it’s expected news.
Everyone deserves to spend time with their family this time of year. Sure, some people can’t, and we have full respect for the first responders and hospital staff out there doing God’s work, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the time off. And if people aren’t needed, then they should get to be away from the hustle and bustle of life.
Saturday Night Live is here for our entertainment. The cast and crew don’t need to work, so let’s respect that and support their time off.
Saturday Night Live returns in January 2026
In some great news, we have a return date. NBC has confirmed that Saturday Night Live will return on Saturday, Jan. 17.
This is a usual time off. It’s three weeks of no new episodes, which gives everyone time to relax and unwind after a stressful year. Then the show will be back in full force until around May, with some likely breaks here and there.
The host and musical guest have already been set for the episode. Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard will make his hosting debut, while A$AP Rocky will make his musical debut — although not his first time on the series, as he made a cameo during Donald Glover’s 2018 hosting gig.
There is a change when SNL returns
There is some bad news that comes with all of this. When SNL returns in 2026, it will be without one of its best cast members. Bowen Yang has stepped away from the show, marking his final appearance as the one on Saturday, Dec. 20. It’s a fitting episode to end with, considering it was with bestie Ariana Grande.
While there have been midseason cast exits before, it’s rare that they happen. However, it was on good terms and with everyone’s blessing, with Yang seemingly deciding that it was time to move on from the series. He had said in September that SNL was a stepping stone in a career and a place to hone a skill.
There is no news on a new cast member joining just yet. With the announcement coming so close to the end of the year, it’s possible that an announcement will come as January gets started before the show returns.
Saturday Night Live will return with new episodes on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 11:30/10:30c on NBC.