- Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora hosted ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ featuring performances from Mariah Carey, Post Malone, and more.
- Huntr/X, known for the hit film KPop Demon Hunters, performed their single ‘Golden’ in Times Square.
- The show included performances across multiple locations: New York’s Times Square, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico.
New York City welcomed 2026 with a star-studded ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ celebration last night, December 31, featuring performances from some of music’s biggest names. The annual event, a tradition since 1971, saw Mariah Carey deliver a dazzling performance of her 2009 hit ‘Obsessed’ from Las Vegas.
A Night of Music Across the Nation
Hosts Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora led the festivities, broadcasting live from Times Square, as well as from vibrant celebrations in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico. The lineup was a diverse mix of pop, hip-hop, and K-pop sensations, captivating audiences both in person and on television.
What makes ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ a long-standing tradition? The show traditionally culminates in the iconic Times Square ball drop, a symbol of hope and new beginnings.
Among the performers taking the stage in Times Square was Huntr/X, the trio of Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The group rose to prominence in 2025 with their wildly popular film, KPop Demon Hunters, which became the most-watched film on Netflix of all time. They energized the crowd with a performance of their chart-topping single, ‘Golden.’
A Diverse Lineup of Stars
The show boasted a wide array of talent, including fellow K-pop group LE SSERAFIM, alongside Post Malone, 50 Cent, Jess Glynne, Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, Demi Lovato, Maren Morris, 4 Non Blondes, Charlie Puth, OneRepublic, and Goo Goo Dolls.
Last year’s ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ featured performances by Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, TLC, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Huntr/X’s ‘Golden’ has also received critical acclaim, being shortlisted for an Oscar for Best Song and named the second best K-pop song of 2025. As one publication noted, the song “has become a chart-topping phenomenon…and has resisted the curse of being reduced to passing virality.” The song also garnered multiple Grammy nominations for 2026, including Song of the Year.
KPop Demon Hunters was also recognized as one of the 50 best films of 2025.
