Stop the group chat. We have your Grammys game plan. The 68th Grammy Awards roll out today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, and every part of the night has a different start time. I’ve got the exact schedule, how to watch, and what it means for the biggest stars in music.
The Quick Answer: Tonight’s Grammy Start Times
- Premiere Ceremony: 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. PT, free stream on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube
- Red Carpet: around 6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. PT, official streams on live.GRAMMY.com, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, plus E! and EW & PEOPLE
- Main Telecast: 8:00 p.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. PT, live on CBS, streaming on Paramount+ Premium and major live TV services
Set your reminders now. Every segment brings different stars, different moments, and different winners.
All times are listed in ET and PT. Keep an eye on the clock, these windows move fast.
The Afternoon Kickoff: Premiere Ceremony
The day starts early inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The Premiere Ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. PT, and it is free to watch. Head to live.GRAMMY.com or the Recording Academy’s YouTube to stream it live.
This is where most categories are awarded, across genres and behind the scenes. It is a feast for true music fans. Expect heartfelt speeches, surprise shoutouts, and early momentum for the night’s big contenders. If you love craft and community, do not skip this part.
Red Carpet, then Prime Time
By late afternoon in Los Angeles, cameras hit the arrivals. Red carpet coverage begins around 6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. PT. Official Grammy streams run on live.GRAMMY.com, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. EW and PEOPLE go live from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m. ET, and E! airs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET.
This is the style sprint before the show. Designers get their moment. Glam squads lock in final looks. Couples make statements. Expect bold color, inventive tailoring, and a few jaw droppers that will define this awards season’s fashion story. Red carpet interviews also seed tonight’s narratives, from comeback arcs to first-time nominee jitters.
Pro move, pick one main carpet stream, then add a second on mute for arrivals. You will not miss a single look.
The Main Event on CBS
The televised ceremony kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. PT on CBS. You can also stream it on Paramount+ with the Premium plan, or through Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and DIRECTV Stream. Plan for a three and a half hour ride. The broadcast usually runs until about 11:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. PT.
Trevor Noah returns to host, a steady hand with sharp timing. Expect quick pivots, crisp jokes, and a show that balances spectacle and heart. The performer and presenter slate is stacked, a blend of icons, chart rulers, and breakout names. The recipe is clear, big anthems, intimate moments, and at least one collaboration that will have everyone texting in all caps.
Test your stream five minutes early. High traffic can slow logins right at showtime.
Culture Watch: Why Tonight Matters
The Grammys set the tone for the year in music. Wins change what gets played, what gets booked, and what gets greenlit. A single performance can reset a career. A surprise duet can spark a summer tour. And for new artists, a cutaway reaction shot can be the first taste of global fame.
You can feel the stakes on the carpet and in the room. Veterans chase legacy. Newcomers fight for their first trophy. Producers, writers, and engineers get their shine in the afternoon, which is essential. The night belongs to everyone who built the songs we lived with this year.
Fans are ready. Group chats are running. Snacks are set. People love the Grammys because they mix live drama with real artistry. It is music’s prom, fashion’s playground, and television’s most unpredictable stage. Tonight will add new images to the pop culture scrapbook, the kind we reference for years.
If you only catch one part, watch the first 30 minutes of the main show. That is where the host nails the tone and the first performance sets the bar. If you want the full story, start with the Premiere Ceremony, slide into the carpet, then lock in for prime time. You will see the industry, the spectacle, and the emotion, front to back.
Tonight is built for appointment viewing. You have the times. You have the links. Set the scene, dim the lights, and press play. The 68th Grammys start now.
