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The lights are about to get a little merrier and brighter over at 30 Rock, because tonight is officially Saturday Night Live’s Christmas Special. The sketch comedy show, which usually airs live on weekends, is dropping its annual Christmas event tonight at 9 p.m. EST — and we’ve found out how to stream it live without cable.
At a Glance: How to Stream NBC’s Saturday Night Live Christmas Special Online
The two-hour special will feature holiday-themed sketches from past SNL seasons, along with a few newer favorites. While there’s no host for tonight’s event, viewers can expect musical performances from previous years and fan-favorite moments like The Hanukkah Song, Christmas Robe, and Schweddy Balls. The entire episode is pre-taped. A brand-new live episode will air on Dec. 20, with Ariana Grande hosting and Cher as the musical guest.
How to Watch NBC’s Saturday Night Live Christmas Special Without Cable
If you don’t have access to NBC — or you’ve recently cut the cord to save room in your budget for things like cookies and milk for Santa — we’ve found out how to watch Saturday Night Live’s Christmas Special for free online. Follow our guide below, and have yourself a very merry SNL-mas.
Editor’s Pick
DirecTV
➤ $39.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 185+ channels
DirecTV is our number one choice for watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special online. The streaming service includes NBC in several of its channel packages, including the budget-friendly MyNews plan, which starts at $39.99 per month and comes with a five-day free trial.
Free trial
Fubo
➤ $73.99/month
➤ Five-day free trial
➤ Up to 400+ channels
Fubo also offers NBC access for livestreaming the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special. To watch, you’ll need the Fubo Pro plan or higher, which is priced at $73.99 per month. New user can take advantage of a five-day free trial, plus $30 off their first month.
Peacock Premium Plus
➤ $16.99/month
➤ On-demand and live content
Fans can also stream the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special on Peacock. It’s a more budget-friendly option at $16.99 per month for the Premium plan, which is required to access live NBC streams, though it does not include a free trial.
Sling
➤ $45.99/month
➤ Up to 46 channels
Sling is another option for cord-cutters who want to stream the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special online. Access to NBC requires the Sling Blue plan, which starts at $45.99 per month. Sling does not currently offer a free trial.
Hulu + Live TV
➤ $89.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 95+ channels
Hulu + Live TV is one of the most all-in-one streaming services available, combining Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, and live television in a single package. The service includes major networks like NBC, with the ad-supported plan starting at $89.99 per month after a three-day free trial.
How Can I Watch NBC’s Saturday Night Live Christmas Special for Free?
You can watch the special for free with a trial of DirecTV. Sign up below.
Is There a Host?
No, the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special does not have a host. Ariana Grande will host the live episode on December 20, 2025, with Cher serving as the musical guest.
What Sketches Can I Expect?
You can expect classic sketches like Dick in a Box, The Hanukkah Song, Schweddy Balls, and many more fan favorites.
