Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is returning to the city where he became a beloved New Year’s Eve presence, this time on his own terms. Lemon announced he will host an independent New Year’s Eve livestream celebration from New Orleans to ring in 2026.
Lemon became synonymous with New Orleans New Year’s Eve coverage during his years at CNN, where his broadcasts from the city were often lively, spontaneous, and memorable. Now, rather than anchoring a network broadcast, Lemon is taking the celebration directly to viewers with his own livestream, making it accessible across multiple platforms.
Dubbed Don Lemon Live: New Orleans New Year’s Eve, the event will stream live from Frenchmen Street and tap into the energy that made Lemon’s past broadcasts so compelling. The livestream will be available on YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more, inviting audiences from around the country to tune in and celebrate together.
“I’m coming home for New Year’s Eve… and there are no rules this time,” Lemon shared in promotional remarks for the event. “New Orleans taught me how to celebrate life. So come celebrate with me. Whether you’re in New York or Chicago or L.A. or Atlanta — stream in, raise a glass, and ring in the new year with us.”
The celebration promises a true New Orleans experience, featuring local music, culture-bearers, artists, chefs, and surprise guests who embody the soulful spirit of the city. Performers in the lineup include staples of Louisiana music and brass band tradition alongside notable entertainers who help give the holiday its distinctive rhythm.
This move also marks a new chapter for Lemon, who left CNN in 2023 after nearly two decades with the network. Hosting his own New Year’s Eve livestream allows him to craft an experience that reflects his personal style and connection to the city he’s often called home during holiday celebrations.
Whether streamed on a phone from across the country or watched with friends in New Orleans itself, Don Lemon’s New Year’s Eve special wants to bring a sense of connection and joy into living rooms everywhere.
