Saturday Night Live airs on Saturdays, so Sunday, October 4, 2026, is not a regular new-episode night. The latest listed episode was hosted by Dakota Johnson on October 3. Shane Gillis is scheduled to host the next episode on October 10; after that, the announced schedule has a two-week break, with the show returning October 31.
Is SNL new tonight?
No. The date relevant to this schedule is Sunday, October 4, 2026, and Saturday Night Live is a Saturday-night program. Peacock’s Season 52 listing includes the October 3 episode hosted by Dakota Johnson, with Turnstile performing. Peacock’s Season 52 listing confirms the episode entry.
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For viewers asking on a different local date, the announced dates refer to U.S. Saturday broadcasts. Local station schedules and time zones can affect when an episode appears where you live.
When is the next new SNL?
The next episode on the announced schedule is Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Shane Gillis hosting and Rosalía as musical guest, according to the Associated Press schedule report published September 9, 2026.
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After the October 10 episode, NBCUniversal says the show will take a two-week break. Its announced return is Saturday, October 31, with Inde Navarrette making her hosting debut; the AP report lists Gracie Abrams as musical guest. The network’s Season 52 announcement gives the return date. The next episode and the post-break return are different dates: October 10 is next, while October 31 is the return after the break.
What is the usual airtime?
Peacock advertises new episodes live on Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m. Eastern / 10:30 p.m. Central. That is the advertised time, not a guarantee of the same local broadcast time in every market. See Peacock’s Saturday Night Live page for its streaming information.
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Why is there a break?
The network announcement describes a two-week break after October 10 but does not give a reason for it. The AP schedule report likewise provides dates and guests without explaining why the pause was chosen, so there is no sourced basis to attribute it to production needs, a holiday, or another cause.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Season 52 opening schedule
| U.S. Saturday date | Host | Musical guest |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2026 | Jalen Brunson | Katseye |
| October 3, 2026 | Dakota Johnson | Turnstile |
| October 10, 2026 | Shane Gillis | Rosalía |
| October 31, 2026 | Inde Navarrette | Gracie Abrams |
The September 26 and October 3 entries are listed on Peacock’s Season 52 page. The October 10 and October 31 guest details are reported by the Associated Press; NBCUniversal’s announcement confirms the October 31 return and host. Future schedule dates can change, so check NBC or Peacock listings near an air date.
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