Ring in the new year with “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” 2026, airing Wednesday, December 31, on CBS. The annual country music special returns with a night full of star-studded performances that will leave people talking. “Nashville’s Big Bash” is all about bringing in 2026 with a bang, but where can you watch it? Get all the details in our “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” spoilers below.
‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’ Schedule & Performances
The 2026 “Nashville’s Big Bash” special will air on Wednesday, December 31. It will take place at 8:00-10:00 p.m., ET/PT, and then pick right back up at 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., ET/PT on CBS. Country music fans can also stream the special on Paramount+.
The night will be co-hosted by comedian and actor Bert Kreischer and country music star HARDY. They will be joined live by social media star Haley Baylee, who will be serving as a correspondent from New York City. She will help count down with the East Coast at midnight ET for New York City’s Ball Drop.
Viewers can also look forward to performances from some of the biggest names in country music. HARDY will be performing live at Bicentennial Park in Nashville. Other headliners performing live at Bicentennial Park are Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman. They will also have special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The evening will include even more performances from different venues around Music City. Those other performers are Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Stephen Wilson Jr.
A NYE Tradition for CBS
“New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” is CBS’s country-music-focused New Year’s Eve celebration. It first premiered on December 31, 2021, bringing Music City’s vibrant live performances and festivities to national television.
The special, which broadcasts from Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and surrounding venues, gives viewers a chance to see some of country music’s top artists. It features live entertainment and culminates with Nashville’s iconic Music Note Drop at midnight in the Central Time Zone.
Since its debut in 2021, this annual event has become a highlight of the holiday broadcast lineup. It blends big-name musical acts with Nashville’s energetic party atmosphere. The musical lineup expands year after year, while also bringing in the ball drop in New York City for viewers.
“New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” airs live on December 31 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
