Saturday Night Live Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Star-Studded Events

Saturday Night Live Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Star-Studded Concert and Special Events

Saturday Night Live (SNL) marked its 50th anniversary with a weekend of celebratory events, including a live concert and a three-hour special episode. The festivities kicked off on Friday, February 14, 2025, with the SNL50: Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, featuring performances by a lineup of renowned musicians and appearances by SNL alumni and celebrities.

The concert, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, included performances by Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, the Backstreet Boys, and many others. Additional stars such as Cher, Dave Grohl, Lauryn Hill, and Snoop Dogg joined the lineup, making it a star-studded event. The concert was live-streamed on Peacock and also screened in select IMAX theaters across the country.

The anniversary weekend continued with a rebroadcast of SNL’s very first episode from October 11, 1975, hosted by George Carlin and featuring musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston. The episode aired on NBC and Peacock at 11:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 15, followed by an encore broadcast of Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music.

The culmination of the celebrations was the SNL50: The Anniversary Special, a live three-hour telecast on Sunday, February 16, from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center. The special featured appearances by SNL legends such as Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Eddie Murphy, alongside celebrities like Adam Driver, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson. The event highlighted five decades of sketches, cast members, hosts, and musical performances, solidifying SNL’s enduring cultural impact.

The anniversary weekend also included a red-carpet special hosted by Willie Geist and Leslie Jones, which aired on NBC, E!, and Peacock. The red-carpet event showcased the show’s legacy and its influence on comedy and entertainment over the past half-century.

SNL’s 50th anniversary celebrations underscored its status as a cultural juggernaut, bringing together generations of fans, cast members, and collaborators to honor its groundbreaking history and enduring relevance.

How to watch the 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary events

How to watch the 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary events

For its 50th anniversary, Saturday Night Live has a weekend of live events starring cast members, musicians and celebrities.

www.npr.org
How To Watch Sunday’s ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ Online & On TV

How To Watch Sunday’s ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ Online & On TV

'Saturday Night Live' will celebrate its 50th anniversary Valentine's and President's Day weekend in February with a concert and three-hour special.

deadline.com
‘SNL50: Homecoming Concert’ Kicks Off With Tom Hanks, James Franco, Donna Langley and Many More Stars in Attendance

‘SNL50: Homecoming Concert’ Kicks Off With Tom Hanks, James Franco, Donna Langley and Many More Stars in Attendance

The SNL50: Homecoming concert has kicked off with many stars in attendance.

variety.com
What to know about the massive 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special

What to know about the massive 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special

“SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration” airs at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC.

www.nbcnews.com
Where To Watch ‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert’ if You Missed the Live Show

Where To Watch ‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert’ if You Missed the Live Show

Jimmy Fallon will host the kickoff concert for a weekend full of Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary specials

www.thewrap.com
Inside the Stylish Weekend Celebrating Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary

Inside the Stylish Weekend Celebrating Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary

Miley Cyrus, Pete Davidson, and Ayo Edebiri were among the many celebrities toasting 50 years of “Saturday Night Live” on Friday night.

www.vogue.com
The 35 best Irish songs to sing at the pub this St. Patrick's Day

The 35 best Irish songs to sing at the pub this St. Patrick's Day

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this collection of traditional and contemporary Irish songs including Molly Malone and Danny Boy.

www.today.com
Tom Hanks ‘storms out’ of SNL 50th anniversary concert

Tom Hanks ‘storms out’ of SNL 50th anniversary concert

‘There’s been some confusion,’ host Fallon said before Hollywood couple comedically left venue

www.independent.co.uk