Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebrations have long been a highlight for country music fans, but on December 31, 2025, the city truly outdid itself. The fifth annual New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash transformed Music City into a dazzling stage, uniting country’s biggest stars and tens of thousands of revelers beneath the winter sky. With performances by the likes of Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, and Bailey Zimmerman, the event was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, making it accessible to fans across the nation.
For those lucky enough to be in Nashville, the heart of the action was the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where the main stage was set. The event, free and open to the public, quickly filled with fans eager to ring in 2026 in style. According to Rolling Stone, this year’s bash ran from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT, took a brief pause for local news, and resumed from 10:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. ET/PT. The iconic Music Note dropped at midnight, marking the official start of the new year in true Nashville fashion.
Hosting duties were split between comedian Bert Kreischer and country musician Hardy, both of whom brought energy and humor to the proceedings. The pair were joined throughout the night by special guests, including comedian Dusty Slay, Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard, and even UFC champion Kayla Harrison. Their presence added a fun, unpredictable element to the show, keeping viewers entertained between sets.
The list of performers was nothing short of a country music all-star team. Headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman took the main stage at Bicentennial Park, delivering crowd-pleasing sets that had the audience singing along. Meanwhile, other stars like Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Stephen Wilson Jr. performed at various venues scattered across Nashville, ensuring that the city’s legendary honky-tonks and concert halls pulsed with music all night long.
One of the night’s most anticipated acts was Megan Moroney, the so-called “emo cowgirl” who has been riding a wave of success throughout 2025. According to American Songwriter, Moroney appeared on stage in a flashy sequined dress, her signature pink guitar slung over her shoulder. She opened with “6 Months Later” from Barstool Nashville, captivating the crowd with her heartfelt delivery. Later, she returned to perform “I’m Not Pretty,” another fan favorite, and the audience responded with roaring applause. Moroney’s star power was unmistakable, and her performances were among the night’s highlights.
“I am so excited for my fans and I to dive into this new world of Cloud 9 together,” Moroney said in a press release, hinting at what’s next for her career. “Similar to the first two albums, it’s all written about honest, personal experiences, but these songs were written by the strongest, most confident version of myself I’ve ever been.” She added, “My feet feel firmly planted in my artistry and it was fun to play around sonically, while still sticking to my roots of what my fans and I love. Cloud 9 is a state of mind, and I have no doubt this will be the best chapter yet.”
Moroney’s 2025 was already a banner year, but she’s not slowing down. Her upcoming LP, Cloud 9, is scheduled for release on February 20, 2026, and she’s set to embark on a major tour just a few months later. The tour kicks off May 29 in Columbus, Ohio, with stops across the United States, culminating in a homecoming show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on August 21. After a brief break, Moroney will take her music to Europe for nine shows, marking her growing international appeal.
While Moroney’s rise is noteworthy, the broader event was a testament to Nashville’s enduring status as the epicenter of country music. The night’s programming didn’t stop at the main stage. Dwight Yoakam and Marcus King performed at Category 10, the official watch party location, joined by special guests Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack. The inclusion of legendary acts alongside rising stars offered something for everyone, from traditionalists to fans of the genre’s new wave.
The event’s scale and inclusivity were evident in its accessibility. As Rolling Stone reported, the bash was not only broadcast live on CBS and available to stream via Paramount+’s Premium plan, but it was also free and open to the public in Nashville—a rarity for such a star-studded affair. This openness, combined with the city’s welcoming spirit, created an electric atmosphere that was felt both on the ground and through screens nationwide.
This year’s Big Bash marked the fifth iteration of CBS’s New Year’s special in Nashville, a tradition that has grown in both scope and ambition. Last year’s event, hosted by Keith Urban, featured performances from Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Shaboozey, Eric Church, and Chris Stapleton. The 2025 edition built on that momentum, drawing even bigger crowds and more high-profile artists. Other major New Year’s specials, such as ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live, were also mentioned throughout the night, but Nashville’s offering stood out for its unique blend of country charm and musical excellence.
Of course, no celebration in Music City would be complete without a nod to the city’s deep musical roots. The inclusion of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, CeCe Winans, and a host of genre-spanning acts underscored Nashville’s reputation as a melting pot of talent. The event not only showcased established stars but also provided a platform for emerging voices, ensuring the future of country music remains bright.
As the final chords rang out and the Music Note dropped, signaling the start of 2026, there was a palpable sense of optimism in the air. For Nashville, for country music, and for fans everywhere, New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash was more than just a party—it was a joyful affirmation of community, creativity, and the enduring power of live music. With artists like Megan Moroney leading the charge into the new year, the stage is set for even bigger moments ahead.
