How To Watch the Kennedy Center Honors

Lauren Novak December 8, 2023, 4:22 pm

Queen Latifah and Barry Gibb. Pictured (L-R bottom row) Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, and Dionne Warwick were recognized for their achievements in the performing arts during the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors — Mary Kouw/CBS via Getty Images

Since 1978, with the exception of the pandemic, The Kennedy Center Honors happen each year to honor those in performing arts for their contributions to American culture. Five honorees are chosen are generally individuals. However, couples, musical groups, musicals, or television shows have been honored in the past.

A special host is chosen each year to kick off the event, which is televised after the holidays. Honorees are selected by an executive committee of the board of trustees after the general public accepts recommendations.

How do I watch the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors?

The awards ceremony will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. ET. It will then be available on demand on Paramount+.

Who are the 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees?

Honorees Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick, Renee Fleming, Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah listen to the national anthem during the 46th Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center December 3, 2023, in Washington, DC.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

This year, comedian and actor Billy Crystal, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb, rapper and actress Queen Latifah, opera singer Renée Fleming, and singer Dionne Warwick were honored at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors, which were held on December 3, 2023. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a reception for Crystal, Fleming, Gibb, Latifah, and Warwick at the White House earlier on Sunday.

Comedian Billy Crystal, opera singer Renée Fleming, music star Barry Gibb, actor Queen Latifah and prolific hitmaker Dionne Warwick during the Kennedy Center Honorees Reception in the East Room of the White House on Sunday, December 3, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images

“This year’s slate represents an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms and demonstrated remarkable tenacity and authenticity in becoming an original,” the Kennedy Center president, Deborah Rutter, said in a statement.

Who is the host of the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors?

Gloria Estefan arrives at the Frost School of Music's Knight Center for Music Innovation Inauguration Gala at the University of Miami on November 2, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida

Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Frost School of Music at The University of Miami

Past honoree, Gloria Estefan hosted the ceremony this year.

Who performed at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors?

Ben Platt performs at the 46th Annual Kennedy Center

Gail Schulman/CBS via Getty Images

To honor Warwick, Cynthia Erivo (“Alfie”), Chloe Bailey (“Walk on By”), Mickey Guyton (“Then Came You”), and Gladys Knight (“I Say a Little Prayer”) performed some of her greatest hits. Several celebrities, including Meg Ryan and Rob Reiner, spoke about Crystal and Lin-Manuel Miranda performing an original song in his honor. Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, and Monie Love performed to pay tribute to Queen Latifah.

Tituss Burgess, Christine Baranski, Susan Graham (“You’ll Never Walk Alone”), Dove Cameron, and others performed for Fleming, including a performance of “Song to the Moon” from Antonín Dvořák’s opera “Rusalka.” Lastly, there was a video tribute by Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, and Barbra Streisand, as well as performances by Michael Bublé (“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”), Little Big Town (“Lonely Days”), Ben Platt (“Nights on Broadway”), and Ariana DeBose (greatest hits medley) for Gibb.