So, you’re looking for when is the golden globe awards? If you’re checking the calendar right now, the short answer is that the big night just happened on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
It’s always that first or second Sunday of the year, isn’t it? The "party of the year" returned to its longtime home at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This year’s 83rd edition felt a bit like a fever dream, mostly because Nikki Glaser was back at the helm. Honestly, after she roasted the entire room last year—calling it "Ozempic’s biggest night"—everyone was a little terrified of what she’d say this time around.
The Logistics: When and Where to Watch
If you missed the live broadcast, don’t worry. You aren't totally out of luck. The ceremony aired live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). For those of us who have long since ditched cable, it was also streaming on Paramount+.
The interesting thing about the 2026 schedule was the "Golden Eve" special. They actually split the show up a bit. Instead of cramming the lifetime achievement awards into the main telecast, they aired a primetime special on Thursday, January 8, 2026. That’s when Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Mirren got their big trophies. It was a smart move—it kept the Sunday night show from dragging into the early hours of Monday morning.
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A Quick Breakdown of the Timing
- Nominations Announcement: December 8, 2025.
- Golden Eve Special: January 8, 2026.
- The 83rd Annual Golden Globes: January 11, 2026.
- Red Carpet Start: 6:30 p.m. ET on E! and Variety’s YouTube.
The red carpet is basically half the fun anyway. Seeing Lisa from BLACKPINK and Priyanka Chopra Jonas show up was a massive highlight.
What Actually Happened This Year?
This wasn't just another awards show. It was the year of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. It led the pack with nine nominations and actually delivered, taking home Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio up there again just feels right, doesn't it? He’s basically a fixture at the Hilton at this point.
But the real shocker? The White Lotus. It had six nominations going in for its third season. People were betting the house on it. And then... nothing. It went home empty-handed. That’s the thing about the Golden Globes—they love a curveball. Instead, the Netflix limited series Adolescence cleaned up, which tells you a lot about where the momentum is shifting in TV.
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The Podcast Twist
For the first time ever, they added a Best Podcast category. People were skeptical. Like, do we really need more awards for people talking into microphones in their basements? But when Amy Poehler took home the first-ever trophy for the category, it kind of validated the whole thing. It’s a new era for the Globes, especially now that they've moved away from the old HFPA structure and into this new, more commercial iteration.
Why the Date Matters for the Oscars
The reason everyone cares so much about when is the golden globe awards is because it’s the ultimate vibe check for the Academy Awards.
Winning a Globe in early January creates this massive wave of momentum. If you win here, your "For Your Consideration" billboards in Hollywood suddenly get a lot more expensive. This year, Jessie Buckley’s win for Hamnet pretty much solidified her as the person to beat for the Best Actress Oscar.
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- Voter Influence: Academy members are literally filling out their ballots right around this time.
- Narrative Building: A funny or heartfelt speech at the Globes can make a "difficult" actor suddenly look like the industry's sweetheart.
- The "Warner Bros." Factor: This year was also weird because of the industry drama. Warner Bros. is in the middle of a massive $82 billion merger with Netflix. Seeing their films like Sinners and One Battle After Another dominate the night felt like a final victory lap for the old studio system.
Practical Steps for Catching Up
If you're reading this and realizing you missed the boat on the live show, you can still catch the highlights. Paramount+ usually keeps the full ceremony up for a while for premium subscribers.
- Watch the Monologue: If you do nothing else, find Nikki Glaser’s opening on YouTube. She didn't hold back on the Warner-Netflix merger.
- Check the Winners List: Don't just look at the movies; look at the "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement" category. It’s a great way to find what’s actually worth watching in theaters right now.
- Look for the "Golden Eve" Replay: The Helen Mirren tribute was genuinely moving and worth the 45-minute watch.
The awards season is just getting started. Now that the Globes are wrapped, the path to the Oscars is basically a sprint. Keep an eye on the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards next—that’s usually where the "real" acting favorites emerge.