When Will SNL Return With a New Episode? Latest Update Explained

Saturday Night Live is not airing a new episode tonight. The show is on a short break as NBC shifts to holiday programming and football coverage. Fans are now asking when SNL will return with a fresh episode. The next live installment is confirmed for early December, and the network has released a full schedule for the rest of the year.

The hiatus comes during the middle of season 51. NBC often pauses live episodes around Thanksgiving weekend due to travel schedules, holiday specials, and major sports broadcasts. This year follows that same pattern, giving the cast and crew time off before a packed December lineup.

New SNL Episodes Resume in December

The next new episode of Saturday Night Live will air on Saturday, December 6. Melissa McCarthy will host, and Dijon will be the musical guest. This marks McCarthy’s sixth time hosting. She has earned multiple Emmy nominations for past appearances. Dijon is set to perform new music on the Studio 8H stage.

Before the show returns live, NBC will air reruns and a Thanksgiving special. Tonight’s broadcast features a repeat of the season premiere hosted by Bad Bunny with musical guest Doja Cat. That episode also introduced five new featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Some markets may see local scheduling changes because of college football.

On Wednesday, November 26, NBC will air the annual SNL Thanksgiving special. It will feature classic holiday sketches from past seasons and will run from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. Another rerun will follow on Saturday, November 29 as the cast enjoys the holiday break.

After Melissa McCarthy’s episode, SNL will air two more new shows in December. Josh O’Connor will host on December 13 with Lily Allen as the musical guest. This episode supports O’Connor’s new film release and Allen’s latest album.

The final SNL episode of 2025 will air on December 20. It will be hosted by Ariana Grande with Cher as the musical guest. This will be a high-profile finish to the year. Grande has hosted SNL before, including once while performing double duty. Cher last performed on the show in the late 1980s.

Trusted entertainment outlets, including AP and CNN, confirmed the full December schedule. NBC has also highlighted the holiday break as part of its annual programming adjustments.

What This Schedule Means for Viewers

The late November break is normal for Saturday Night Live. The show traditionally pauses on Thanksgiving weekend because of travel, production timelines, and primetime sports broadcasts. The December run is usually one of the busiest of the season, featuring major celebrities and heavy audience attention.

The break also gives new cast members time to settle in before the next stretch of live shows. Season 51 has already seen major changes. Several long-time cast members left before the season started. New featured players are beginning to take on more roles in sketches.

The three-episode December lineup is expected to draw strong ratings. Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor, Ariana Grande, and Cher are all major names with large fan bases. SNL often schedules high-profile guests in December to build momentum heading into the new year.

Saturday Night Live will return on December 6. The December schedule is packed with major stars and will close out season 51’s first half in a big way.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is SNL not new tonight?

SNL is not airing a new episode tonight because NBC scheduled reruns during the Thanksgiving break. Football coverage and holiday programming also affect the schedule.

Q2: When will SNL return with a new episode?

SNL returns with a live episode on Saturday, December 6. Melissa McCarthy will host and Dijon will perform.

Q3: Who is hosting the next few SNL episodes?

December 6 features Melissa McCarthy. December 13 features Josh O’Connor. December 20 features Ariana Grande.

Q4: What SNL specials are airing this week?

NBC will air a Thanksgiving special on November 26 and reruns throughout the holiday weekend.

Q5: Who are the new cast members this season?

New featured players include Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.