Explore our hub of Honors performances from 46 years of celebrating the iconic artists who have enriched American cultural life.
President Joe Biden speaks at the reception honoring the recipients of the 47th Kennedy Center Honors—Bonnie Raitt, Francis Ford Coppola, The Apollo, Arturo Sandoval, and Grateful Dead—in the East Room of the White House on December 8th, 2024.
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees receive their medallions during a special tribute ceremony held at the State Department on December 7, 2024.
Watch a frequently-updating playlist of video from the events and performances around the 47th Kennedy Center Honors.
Honors: Beyond the Broadcast
Maia Sharp & Amythyst Kiah in a Songwriters’ Showcase curated by Bonnie Raitt
Amythyst Kiah is an artist of both daring originality and uncompromising depth. In 2021, the Grammy® nominee released her breakthrough album Wary + Strange. Maia Sharp has had her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, and many more. Through it all, Sharp has continued to record her own albums including nine solo releases.
Honors: Beyond the Broadcast
YahZarah in collaboration with The Apollo
YahZarah is a District of Columbia–born Ghanian singer and songwriter hero is perfect for the times today. Her voice has been recognized in groundbreaking musical compositions with Erykah Badu. She’s also performed her music live on stage with The Roots, and traveled the world as a member of rock icon Lenny Kravitz’s band.
Honors: Beyond the Broadcast
BERTHA: Grateful Drag
The world’s first Grateful Drag band, BERTHA is an all-star collective of queer and allied East Nashville talent coming together in wigs and full face for a good cause. Fronted by a harmony trio of Berthas and backed by a rocking all-Bertha band, BERTHA has captured the heart and imagination of Deadheads everywhere
The two incredible performers join a full choir for stirring renditions of the classic spiritual and song as they tribute honoree Mavis Staples.
Watch these stellar performers enthrall honoree Buddy Guy and an audience including Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, David Letterman, Barack and Michelle Obama, Tina Fey, Debbie Allen, and many more.
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Celebrate the 46th Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements: actor and comedian Billy Crystal; acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming; British singer-songwriter producer, and member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb; rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.
Lin-Manuel Miranda delivers a lively and comedic musical tribute to 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree Billy Crystal.
Robert De Niro brings both laughter and melody to the stage as he affectionately pays tribute to his close friend, the "OG" Billy Crystal.
Cynthia Erivo brings down the house with her soulful rendition of "Alfie" in a heartfelt tribute to 2023 Honoree Dionne Warwick.
MC Lyte and Monie Love join forces with D-Nice to deliver a powerful rendition of "Ladies First" as a tribute to 2023 Honoree Queen Latifah.
Hear from honorees and performers in this clip of highlights from the 46th Kennedy Center Honors.
Watch coverage of the events leading up to the #KCHonors and highlights of the big event itself. Return to this playlist to see new videos as they're added.
Hear from honorees and performers in this clip of highlights from the 46th Kennedy Center Honors.
Experience the event with special performances, artist tributes, and reactions from honorees Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Midori, and Dick Van Dyke.
Watch highlights from 2019, including interviews with the performers and reactions from the honorees.
Honorees include singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, Country music entertainer Reba McEntire, and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter.
Honorees include dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, hip hop artist and entertainment icon LL COOL J, television writer and producer Norman Lear, and musician and record producer Lionel Richie.
Honorees include pianist Martha Argerich, rock band the Eagles, screen and stage actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples, and musician James Taylor.
Honorees include singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress and singer Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa, and actress and Broadway star Cicely Tyson.
Honorees include singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting, and comedienne Lily Tomlin.
Honorees include opera singer Martina Arroyo; pianist, keyboardist, bandleader and composer Herbie Hancock; pianist, singer and songwriter Billy Joel; actress Shirley MacLaine; and musician and songwriter Carlos Santana.
Honorees include bluesman Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, comedian and television host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova, and rock band Led Zeppelin for their contributions to the arts.
Honorees include Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Sonny Rollins, Meryl Streep, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Honorees include Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey.
Honorees include Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert DeNiro, and Bruce Springsteen.
Watch a tribute to legendary composer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record company executive, magazine founder, and record, film and television producer, Quincy Jones.
Watch a tribute to legendary dancer, choreographer, and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Judith Jamison.
In this heartfelt tribute, we celebrate the incredible legacy of James Earl Jones, who was honored at the 2002 Kennedy Center Honors for his immense contributions to the world of theater, film, and television.
Join us in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Seiji Ozawa, a renowned conductor with a remarkable career spanning the globe.
Join us in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Chita Rivera, a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree, whose immense talent and passion for performance captivated audiences worldwide.
Arturo Sandoval performs alongside the United Nation Orchestra in a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dizzy Gillespie during the 1990 Kennedy Center Honors.
Watch these stellar performers enthrall honoree Buddy Guy and an audience including Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, David Letterman, Barack and Michelle Obama, Tina Fey, Debbie Allen, and many more.
Help the Kennedy Center in its mission to present world-class performances and arts education programs.
Aretha Franklin performs live for Carole King at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors.
Sat. May 2 at 12 p.m. ET
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Sat. May 2 at 12 p.m. ET
Learn how to create your own beautiful Honors-worthy floral centerpiece with Urban Petals Floral Design owner Sarah von Pollaro, and indulge in a special Honors-inspired menu created by Executive Chef Jaime Montes de Oca.
How to Make an Honors Dinner with Chef Jaime Montes de Oca Jr.
How to Create an Honors Floral Centerpiece with Sarah von Pollaro
The Exclusive Sponsor of the Kennedy Center Honors
The Exclusive Underwriter of the Kennedy Center Honors Gala
The Official Airline of the Kennedy Center Honors
The Founding Producer of the Kennedy Center Honors is George Stevens, Jr.
