Award shows dominate the entertainment calendar for months on end, honoring everything from independent films to network television.
The season begins with critics groups making their picks in December and runs all the way through the following September when the Emmys wrap up the cycle.
Keeping track of when each ceremony happens can feel overwhelming, especially when major events like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards cluster together in the first few months.
This award shows list lays out the full timeline so fans know exactly when to tune in for their favorite ceremonies and which months deliver the most star-studded action.
How the Award Season Works
Award shows concentrate heavily between January and March, while television operates on a completely separate schedule, with Emmy nominations landing in July and the main ceremony taking place in mid-September.
Organizations start announcing winners in December, setting early momentum before guild and academy voting begins.
Guilds coordinate their timelines carefully to avoid conflicts, ensuring voters have adequate screening time before casting ballots for their respective categories.
This separation creates two distinct cycles within a single year, each building toward its own major conclusion.
Award Shows List by Month
This award shows list breaks down ceremonies by month, with film dominating the early part of the year and television taking over by late summer.
December 2025
- Gotham Awards launch the season on December 1st with a focus on independent film achievements
- New York Film Critics Circle typically announces winners on December 2nd, traditionally one of the earliest influential voices
- National Board of Review reveals selections on December 3rd alongside Independent Spirit Award nominations
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association weighs in on December 7th from the heart of the industry
- Golden Globe nominations drop on December 8th, generating massive buzz heading into the new year
- Oscar shortlists get announced on December 16th, narrowing the field across technical and international categories
January 2026
- Palm Springs International Film Awards on January 3rd with their annual gala
- Critics Choice Awards air January 4th on E! and USA Network, marking the first major televised ceremony
- Annie Awards nominations on January 5th, spotlighting excellence in animation
- Costume Designers Guild Awards nominations on January 6th
- BAFTA Film Awards longlists on January 9th, offering an international perspective on the year’s best
- Producers Guild Awards nominations on January 9th, signaling which films were appreciated by industry producers
- Governors Awards from the Academy present honorary Oscars on January 11th
- Golden Globe Awards take over CBS and Paramount+ on January 11th with a star-studded celebration
- Producers Guild Awards documentary nominations on January 18th
- BAFTA Rising Star Award nominations on January 19th
- Directors Guild documentary nominations on January 21st
- Sundance Film Festival runs from January 22nd through February 1st in Park City, showcasing emerging talent
- Academy Award nominations on January 22nd on ABC, revealing the year’s Oscar contenders
February 2026
- Grammy Awards celebrate music excellence on February 1st, airing live on CBS from Los Angeles
- Cinema Audio Society student awards take place on February 2nd
- Directors Guild of America Awards recognize outstanding directorial achievements on February 7th
- American Society of Cinematographers Spotlight Awards honor emerging talent on February 8th
- International Documentary Association Awards celebrate non-fiction filmmaking on February 9th
- Golden Globes television categories voting closes February 11th
- Producers Guild Awards ceremony honors top film and television producers mid-month
- Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild television awards take place on February 17th
- BAFTA Film Awards bring British and international cinema recognition to London, typically in mid-to-late February
- ASC Outstanding Achievement in Television awards air on February 23rd
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival spans February 4th through 14th with tributes and premieres
March 2026
- Screen Actors Guild Awards air on March 1st, showcasing performances voted on by fellow actors
- Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations voting closes March 3rd
- Producers Guild Awards television ceremony on March 5th
- ACE Eddie Awards television ceremony on March 6th
- Cinema Audio Society Awards on March 7th
- Writers Guild Awards, American Society of Cinematographers Awards, and Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards all on March 8th
- ASC Awards television ceremony on March 10th
- Critics Choice Television Awards nominations on March 12th
- Visual Effects Society Awards recognize groundbreaking VFX work across film and television
- The 98th Academy Awards conclude the film season on March 15th with Hollywood’s biggest night
- Governors Awards submission deadline for the next cycle is on March 18th
April 2026
- Television Critics Association Awards nominations on April 5th
- Peabody Awards nominations on April 12th
- BAFTA Television Craft Awards on April 21st
- Boulder International Film Festival brings specialized programming to Colorado audiences
- Napa Valley StreamFest highlights streaming content innovations
May 2026
- Television Critics Association Awards ceremony on May 5th
- Sports Emmy Awards nominations on May 19th
- Emmy eligibility period closes May 31st after a full year of qualifying programming
- Entry deadlines approach as networks and studios prepare submissions across comedy, drama, and limited series categories
June 2026
- Emmy nomination voting typically runs from June 11th through 22nd as academy members review submissions
- Daytime Emmy Awards nominations arrive June 18th
- Creative Arts Emmy voting opens June 25th
- Tony Awards typically air in early June on CBS, celebrating Broadway’s best performances and productions
- BET Awards honor achievements in Black entertainment and culture mid-month
- Peer group screening panels usually convene from June 26th through July 7th for craft-specific categories
- Theater and music take the spotlight while television prepares for its nomination announcements
July 2026
- Emmy nominations are expected July 8th for the bulk of categories
- ESPY Awards air on July 15th on ESPN, recognizing excellence in sports
- Additional craft category Emmy nominations usually arrive on July 15th, following specialized panel reviews
- Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour Awards take place on July 22nd
- Creative Arts Emmy Awards nominations are announced on July 29th
August 2026
- Creative Arts Emmy Awards voting closes August 3rd
- Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies on August 9th
- Emmy final round voting typically takes place August 17th through 26th
- Networks coordinate press tours and publicity pushes heading into September’s ceremony weekend
September 2026
- MTV Video Music Awards on September 6th
- Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 5th and 6th at the Peacock Theater
- The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards air live Monday, September 14th, on NBC and Peacock at 8 pm ET
- International Emmy Awards nominations on September 20th
October 2026
- Hollywood Film Awards take place on October 3rd
- BAFTA Britannia Awards honor British contributions to entertainment on October 12th
- Daytime Emmy Awards honor soap operas and talk shows on October 17th
- Artios Awards recognize exceptional casting across film and television projects
- Festival conversations turn toward the upcoming film season as the cycle prepares to restart
November 2026
- Independent Spirit Awards nominations arrive on November 6th
- European Film Awards celebrate continental cinema on November 10th
- Governors Awards from the Academy present honorary Oscars to lifetime achievement recipients on November 16th
- Gotham Awards nominations are announced on November 24th
- British Independent Film Awards celebrate UK cinema on November 30th
- Grammy nominations typically arrive during this window, previewing the upcoming music ceremony
December 2026
- National Board of Review winners are announced on December 3rd
- New York Film Critics Circle Awards take place on December 4th
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards air on December 9th
- Critics Choice Awards nominations arrive December 11th
- Critics groups resume their annual selections as the next season begins
- Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle, and National Board of Review return with fresh contenders
Why Award Show Dates Can Change
Broadcast scheduling conflicts force award shows to adjust their timing when sports programming or special events create obstacles.
The Oscars pushed back two weeks for the 98th ceremony, landing on March 15th instead of its typical early March slot.
Networks negotiate exclusive rights years in advance, occasionally requiring date swaps to accommodate their broader programming commitments.
Natural disasters and industry strikes have caused postponements in recent seasons, proving that even long-established events can shift unexpectedly.
Tentative dates published months ahead often get confirmed or revised as organizing bodies finalize logistics and venue availability.
Conclusion
Organizing award shows by month provides the clearest way to track when ceremonies actually happen rather than getting lost in speculation about winners.
Starting with December grounds readers in how recognition builds momentum from critics through guilds and culminates with the Academy.
The format supports quick scanning for specific dates while showing the natural rhythm of how film dominates early months before television takes center stage later.
Updates happen regularly as organizations confirm final details, making flexibility essential for any awards calendar.
Having everything consolidated in one place eliminates the need to hunt across multiple sources when planning viewing schedules.
Bookmarking a single reference streamlines staying current throughout the recognition period.
The volume of ceremonies across twelve months makes centralized tracking valuable for casual viewers and industry watchers alike.
