We’ve Got What to Watch, Who’s Performing, and How to Ring in the New Year Without Leaving the Couch

Look, not everyone wants to scream over drunk strangers at midnight. Some of us want good music, a solid drink, and the ability to be horizontal by 12:07 a.m.

If that’s your New Year’s Eve energy, you’re my people.

Here’s how country fans can ring in the new year from home, without feeling like we settled.

What to Watch on New Year’s Eve

Country never fully “owns” New Year’s Eve television, but it absolutely sneaks in and steals scenes every year.

ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

When: Starts at 7 p.m. local time, rolls through midnight
Where: ABC

ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest kicks off at 8/7c and runs straight through midnight. It’s pop-heavy, sure, but country artists almost always get a slot, especially in the earlier segments before the EDM crowd shows up.

• Performances from Post Malone, Jesse Murph, Jordan Davis, Little Big Town, Russell Dickerson & Tucker Wetmore with additional artists to be announced!
• A cross-genre duet that makes Facebook lose its mind
• A performance filmed earlier in Nashville or outdoors

This is background TV that becomes foreground TV when the country artist hits the stage.

CBS New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash

When: 8/7c through midnight
Where: CBS / Paramount+

Bert Kreischer and HARDY host NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH, the star-studded entertainment special featuring high-energy performances from country music’s hottest stars, including Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman and many more. The five-hour star-studded entertainment special includes a traditional countdown at midnight, culminating with the renowned Nashville Music Note Drop and fireworks.

If you like your New Year’s Eve with less yelling, this is your lane.

Hosting a country New Year’s Eve from your couch doesn’t require a guest list to feel intentional. Build a midnight-ready playlist so it takes over once the TV countdown ends. George Strait should be on it. One song that makes you emotional for no good reason should be on it. One song that reminds you why you survived the year should be on it. Bonus points if you argue with yourself about the order.

Skip party food and go straight for comfort food with purpose. Something warm. Something salty. Something you won’t regret at 12:30 a.m. Nobody needs a charcuterie board to feel alive.

Choose your midnight drink in advance. Champagne is optional. Whiskey is acceptable. Sparkling water with lime also counts. The only real rule is to drink something that matches how you want the new year to feel.

Here’s the truth nobody admits out loud. Watching country artists perform from your couch costs less, sounds better, lets you actually enjoy the music, and doesn’t require standing in a bathroom line at 11:58 p.m.

So tell me. Are you watching New Year’s Eve at home this year? And what country song do you want playing when the clock hits midnight?