The Kennedy Center Honors gala will take place offsite at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., rather than at the Kennedy Center itself. Multiple outlets report the program will be held in early December 2026, with the exact timing set by the Kennedy Center.
The move comes as the Kennedy Center’s main building is closed. The New York Times, Bloomberg, and ABC News describe the relocation as part of a plan to close the facility for about a two-year renovation, while the Kennedy Center seeks court approval for that project. The Hollywood Reporter adds that the context also includes the institution’s recent shutdown and political efforts by Donald Trump to rename the arts organization, which outlets link to uncertainty surrounding the venue and planning.
While the outlets emphasize different contributing factors, they agree on the core point: the Honors continue as scheduled in a new location because the Kennedy Center building is not available.
