English
The Kennedy Center Honors will leave its traditional home for the first time in nearly 50 years. The Kennedy Center announced Friday that this year’s ceremony will take place at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., rather than inside the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The main building currently remains closed to the public, and safety assessments are still ongoing.
Capital One Arena holds around 20,000 people. That is a significant increase from the 2,300-seat Opera House, where the Kennedy Center Honors has traditionally been held. The ceremony is scheduled for December 7. Officials say they will announce this year’s honorees at a later date.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Building Closed After Ceiling Collapse
The Kennedy Center’s main theaters have been closed since September 15. The center’s board voted to shut the building for renovations after a partial ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer. Executive Director Matt Floca explained in court filings that the closure would be reviewed on a week-by-week basis, depending on the progress of ongoing safety assessments.
A construction consultant and the center’s director both consider the main building unsafe for continued use. In a draft resolution, the board stated they anticipate further risk to the public and employees if the building does not close immediately and renovations do not begin. The board proposed closing the center for two years during planned construction.
Even the 2020 Kennedy Center Honors faced disruption. That ceremony took place belatedly in May 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, performances were still recorded at various locations across the Kennedy Center’s campus. This year’s move to an entirely separate venue marks a more significant departure from tradition.
Trump’s Demands Complicate Renovation Plans
President Donald Trump has complicated the renovation process with a demand to add his name to the building. He previously stated that renovations would not proceed — and that the building could potentially be demolished — unless the Kennedy Center carries his name. A federal judge has blocked that effort multiple times as litigation over the closure and renaming continues.
In September, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the renovation and reconstruction cannot begin until the D.C. Circuit rules on the board’s approved name. He added that if the ruling goes against him and the Supreme Court does not overturn it, the reconstruction and renovation will not take place.
The White House declined to comment to NBC News about the decision to move the annual awards ceremony to Capital One Arena. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center continues to navigate both legal uncertainty and the practical challenge of keeping its signature events alive outside its historic home.
