Jools Holland will welcome 2026 with his annual Hootenanny on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, airing from 11.30pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025. The show features a mix of musical legends and emerging stars alongside Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
The line-up includes Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who will perform songs from his anthology 'Fearless'. Olivia Dean, who has broken chart records in 2025 with her second album 'The Art of Loving', will play tracks from the record and join Holland for a cover of Natalie Cole's 'This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)'. Scottish singer Lulu revisits her hits: David Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold the World' and 'Relight My Fire' with Take That.
Jessie J, who released her sixth studio album in 2025, performs 'Living My Best Life' and a Frank Sinatra classic. Craig David returns to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album 'Born to Do It' alongside material from his ninth album 'Commitment'. Heather Small of M People sings 'Moving On Up' and 'Search for the Hero'. The Kooks perform songs from their debut album 'Inside In/Inside Out' ahead of its 20th anniversary, plus a track from 'Never/Know'.
Additional guests include Imelda May, who performs Billie Holiday's 'Now or Never'; Welsh jazz pianist Joe Webb, who duets with Holland; Berlin-based singer David Hermlin, who offers a version of 'Jeepers Creepers'; and boogie-woogie queen Ruby Turner. The Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards will also help usher in the new year.
