Kennedy Center Honors Announces 2026 Honorees

The 2026 Kennedy Center Honors lineup includes celebrated entertainers Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell, the Kennedy Center announced. The annual celebration recognizes distinguished contributions to American performing arts and entertainment.

The 49th class will be celebrated December 7 at a gala ceremony held for the first time at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., as the Kennedy Center building faces a planned closure for potential renovations.

Since its founding in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors has celebrated lifetime contributions across music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures and television.