The Kennedy Center Honors are coming up. This year's event will be different

Elizabeth Blair

December 05, 2025 / 6:00 am

The Kennedy Center Honors have traditionally been one of Washington's splashiest affairs. Think Hollywood on the Potomac.

Every year, an astonishing number of A-listers come to Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to the honorees with performances and speeches. Think Beyoncé performing for Tina Turner, Audrey Hepburn rhapsodizing about Cary Grant, Rob Reiner praising Norman Lear, Aretha Franklin singing for Carol King, Sidney Poitier honoring Harry Belafonte or James Taylor and John Williams playing for Yo-Yo Ma.

This year's Kennedy Center honorees are Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, the rock band KISS, Gloria Gaynor and English actor and singer Michael

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