Today : Jan 12, 2026
Arts & Culture
09 January 2026

Golden Globes 2026 Unveils Honors And Surprises

Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Mirren receive top lifetime achievement awards as the Golden Globes return with a redesigned red carpet and a star-packed ceremony hosted by Nikki Glaser.

The glittering heart of Hollywood is beating faster this week as the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards approach, promising a star-studded celebration that’s already shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in entertainment history. The festivities kicked off in style on January 6, 2026, with the second annual "Golden Eve" gala in Los Angeles, where Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Mirren received two of the industry’s most prestigious lifetime achievement honors. But that was just the beginning of a week filled with anticipation, glamour, and a few surprises up the organizers' sleeves.

On the evening of January 8, CBS aired the "Golden Eve" special, giving millions at home a front-row seat to the emotional tributes and heartfelt moments that unfolded at the Beverly Hilton. According to ABC News, the event honored Sarah Jessica Parker with the 2026 Carol Burnett Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to television, and Helen Mirren with the 2026 Cecil B. DeMille Award, a testament to her storied career on screen.

Helen Mirren’s award was presented by none other than her "1923" co-star Harrison Ford. Reminiscing about their first collaboration on the 1986 film "The Mosquito Coast," Ford charmed the audience with a touch of nostalgia and humor. "We had three lovely children," Ford joked about their on-screen family, adding, "The script required all of us refer to Helen as 'Mother.' Forty years later, I got to work with her again when Taylor Sheridan cast her in '1923.' I was an afterthought." The crowd’s laughter was matched only by their admiration for Mirren’s decades of acclaimed performances, which have earned her three Golden Globes and an Oscar for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in "The Queen." As reported by the Associated Press, Mirren is also up for another Globe this year for her role in the series "MobLand."

The evening sparkled with more than just accolades. Actor Colman Domingo raised a cosmopolitan—a wink to Parker’s iconic "Sex and the City" character, Carrie Bradshaw—in a toast celebrating her "love, thoughtfulness, intelligence and style." Domingo declared, "What is truly iconic is her heart. Like the great Carol Burnett, she gives us permission to ask big questions about love, work, friendship and time. And she does it all with humor, elegance, nerve and grace." Kristen Davis, Parker’s co-star and friend, followed with a moving tribute, saying, "My dearest Sarah, it is a joy to be with you in this life, and to be here tonight to honor you in the name of the incredible Carol Burnett is just a dream come true."

The Golden Eve event was a family affair for Parker, with husband Matthew Broderick and son James Wilkie Broderick cheering her on, alongside "Sex and the City" co-stars Evan Handler and David Eigenberg. The night also saw appearances from luminaries like Carol Burnett herself, Tessa Thompson, Vin Diesel, and Viola Davis, further underscoring the sense of community that defines Hollywood’s awards season.

But the excitement didn’t end there. On January 8, the Golden Globes rolled out a redesigned red carpet at the Beverly Hilton, offering more than 100 media members a sneak peek at what’s in store for Sunday’s ceremony. According to GoldenGlobes.com, the oxblood-colored carpet was reimagined to accommodate ongoing construction at the hotel and the upcoming Beverly Hills One project. The new layout, complete with a dozen steps for dramatic photo opportunities, was unveiled by Globes president Helen Hoehne, host Nikki Glaser, and show executives Barry Adelman and Glenn Weiss. "The show will be bigger, better and more glamorous than ever before," Hoehne promised, aiming to create "an unforgettable night."

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s famed restaurant will once again cater the event, ensuring the stars are well-fed as they await their moment in the spotlight. Attendees at the red carpet preview also got a first look at the stage design and seating arrangements, all meticulously planned to maximize both spectacle and comfort.

As the big night approaches, the buzz is palpable. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will air live on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific) on CBS and stream on Paramount+ for U.S. viewers. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can catch the ceremony live, while Essential subscribers will have access to the broadcast on demand the next day.

The ceremony, as the Associated Press explains, marks the official kickoff to Hollywood’s awards season—a champagne-soaked affair where nominees from across film, television, and, for the first time, podcasting, gather to celebrate their craft. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s expanded categories reflect the changing landscape of entertainment, ensuring the Globes remain relevant and inclusive.

This year’s host, Nikki Glaser, returns after a widely praised debut in 2025, when she became the first woman to host the show solo. Known for her sharp wit and fearless humor, Glaser is eager to take the stage again. "It was the most fun I have ever had in my career," she said, joking, "I can’t wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team from ‘The White Lotus’ who will finally recognize my talent and cast me in Season Four as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shadowy past." Last year’s telecast drew about 10 million viewers—a far cry from the audience numbers of a decade ago, but still enough to make the Globes the most-watched awards show after the Oscars and the Grammys.

The competition for trophies is fierce. As reported by the Associated Press, "One Battle After Another" leads the film nominees with nine nods, including acting nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti, and a directing mention for Paul Thomas Anderson. The Danish film "Sentimental Value" follows close behind with eight nominations. On the television side, "The White Lotus" tops the list with six nominations. The presenters’ lineup is equally dazzling, featuring Hollywood heavyweights like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Queen Latifah, as well as rising stars such as Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams from "Heated Rivalry."

For Mirren and Parker, the Golden Eve gala was a fitting prelude to Sunday’s main event. Mirren joins a storied list of Cecil B. DeMille Award recipients, from Walt Disney to Oprah Winfrey, while Parker’s Carol Burnett Award puts her in the company of television legends like Norman Lear and Ellen DeGeneres. As CBS and Paramount+ prepare to broadcast the ceremony, Hollywood’s finest are ready to toast another year of storytelling, artistry, and, of course, unforgettable moments.

With a reimagined red carpet, a host who knows how to keep the crowd on its toes, and a roster of nominees and honorees who span generations, the 83rd Golden Globes promise more than just golden statues—they offer a glittering snapshot of an industry that, for all its changes, still knows how to put on a show.