The 2025-2026 awards season is already heating up with buzzworthy moments—from Timothée Chalamet's bold new facial hair to Emma Stone's stunning transformation and the mysterious winged creatures of Oz. But when will these headline-grabbing events unfold? TheEntBase brings you the definitive timeline, packed with must-know dates for the Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes, and more, plus insider scoops on the game-changing rules and categories that could reshape the race.
This season isn't just about film; it's a star-studded spectacle across entertainment. With the Grammys, NAACP Image Awards, and Sundance Festival—often a launchpad for Oscar contenders—the calendar is bursting with high-stakes moments that will keep fans and insiders glued to their screens.
Oscars statuette. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
Get ready for a shake-up! The Academy is rolling out a groundbreaking new Casting category and enforcing a strict rule: members must watch all nominated films before voting—a move that could level the playing field. Meanwhile, the Golden Globes are stirring controversy with their new Best Podcast category, where initial shortlists included polarizing figures like Ben Shapiro and Joe Rogan, though they didn't make the final cut. These changes promise to make this season one of the most unpredictable yet.
Mark your calendars—here are the essential dates for the 2025-2026 awards season that you can't afford to miss:
Jan. 2-12: Palm Springs International Film Festival kicks off the festivities
Jan. 4: Critics Choice Awards winners revealed
Jan. 7: Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards) nominations drop
Jan. 7: DGA Awards TV, commercial, and documentary nominations announced
Jan. 8: DGA Awards film nominations and NAACP Image Awards nominations unveiled
Jan. 9: PGA Awards nominations and BAFTA Awards longlists released
Jan. 11: Golden Globes winners crowned
Jan. 12-16: Oscars nominations voting in full swing
