The 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony - the kickoff event that presents the majority of this year's Grammy winners - is set to take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles just hours before the main telecast begins. The ceremony will stream live beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's official YouTube channel.
This year's Premiere Ceremony marks an especially festive start to music's biggest night as first‑time Grammy nominee Darren Criss steps in as both host and performer - a spotlight moment for the Glee star and Tony‑winning actor that has fans excited.
The event typically reveals winners in many of the awards that don't appear during the main televised show - ranging from jazz, gospel, and regional roots music to technical categories - giving artists their moment of recognition early in the day. It's a celebration of diverse musical achievement and often a first step in a winner's Grammy journey before the stars shine on the main stage at the Crypto.com Arena later that evening.
Among confirmed performers and presenters are rising artists and genre‑spanning talents eager to showcase their work ahead of the telecast. With artists across pop, hip‑hop, gospel, and world music earning nods this year, the Premiere Ceremony often reflects the breadth of creative voices in contemporary music - a reminder to many that artistic expression can be a form of gratitude, hope, and shared experience that resonates with listeners from all walks of life, including faith‑rooted communities.
As the industry builds toward the evening's main ceremony, the Premiere Ceremony promises a celebration of craft and community - spotlighting musicians whose work contributes not only to culture but also to connection and meaning in a diverse global audience.
