1. Academy Awards
Los Angeles
Although this year's ceremony drew buzz for reasons other than the many entertainment industry icons that were honored, the 94th Academy Awards welcomed guests to the Dolby Theatre on March 27 and drew more than 15 million U.S. viewers (nearly 5 million more than last year's iteration). History-making awards handed out included Best Supporting Actor, which was given to Troy Kotsur—the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award—for his role in CODA. Another showstopper was the awards stage itself, which dazzled thanks to 12,940 Swarovski crystals and 252 strands. The standout set design weighed a total of 1,350 pounds. Next: March 12, 2023
See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Although this year's ceremony drew buzz for reasons other than the many entertainment industry icons that were honored, the 94th Academy Awards welcomed guests to the Dolby Theatre on March 27 and drew more than 15 million U.S. viewers (nearly 5 million more than last year's iteration). History-making awards handed out included Best Supporting Actor, which was given to Troy Kotsur—the first deaf actor to win an Academy Award—for his role in CODA. Another showstopper was the awards stage itself, which dazzled thanks to 12,940 Swarovski crystals and 252 strands. The standout set design weighed a total of 1,350 pounds. Next: March 12, 2023
See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Photo: Kyusung Gong/A.M.P.A.S.
2. Primetime Emmy Awards
Up from #3
Los Angeles
With a record-setting number of awards won by actors of color, the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards was an evening to remember—with plenty of celebratory parties to boot. The ceremony hosted 5,000 guests inside Microsoft Theater and was hosted by Saturday Night Live's Kenan Thompson. Record-setting wins included Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae becoming the first actor of Asian descent to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series; Euphoria star Zendaya becoming the youngest person ever, at 26, to win in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category two times; and Sheryl Lee Ralph becoming only the second Black woman in history to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. For the first time since 2019, the Governors Gala—the awards show's official afterparty—was hosted outdoors (another first for the event) and welcomed 3,500 partygoers dressed in their black-tie best. Next: Sept. 11, 2023
See more: Emmys 2022: Inside Parties From Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and More
Los Angeles
With a record-setting number of awards won by actors of color, the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards was an evening to remember—with plenty of celebratory parties to boot. The ceremony hosted 5,000 guests inside Microsoft Theater and was hosted by Saturday Night Live's Kenan Thompson. Record-setting wins included Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae becoming the first actor of Asian descent to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series; Euphoria star Zendaya becoming the youngest person ever, at 26, to win in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category two times; and Sheryl Lee Ralph becoming only the second Black woman in history to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. For the first time since 2019, the Governors Gala—the awards show's official afterparty—was hosted outdoors (another first for the event) and welcomed 3,500 partygoers dressed in their black-tie best. Next: Sept. 11, 2023
See more: Emmys 2022: Inside Parties From Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and More
Photo: Al Seib/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images
3. Grammy Awards
Las Vegas
In addition to being pushed back to April from its signature January air date due to COVID, the 64th Grammy Awards also took place in Las Vegas for the first time, taking over the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Hosted by TV personality Trevor Noah, the award show attracted 8.93 million U.S. viewers, up slightly from last year's viewership results but still the second-lowest ratings in the event's history. Notable award winners included Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, and Jon Batiste. Next: Feb. 5, 2023
See more: Grammys 2022: Attention-Grabbing Event Ideas From Music's Biggest Week
In addition to being pushed back to April from its signature January air date due to COVID, the 64th Grammy Awards also took place in Las Vegas for the first time, taking over the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Hosted by TV personality Trevor Noah, the award show attracted 8.93 million U.S. viewers, up slightly from last year's viewership results but still the second-lowest ratings in the event's history. Notable award winners included Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, and Jon Batiste. Next: Feb. 5, 2023
See more: Grammys 2022: Attention-Grabbing Event Ideas From Music's Biggest Week
Photo: Angel City Designs
4. Tony Awards
Up from #7
New York
Toasting its 75th year, this year's Tony Awards took place on June 12. More than 5,000 guests arrived at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the best of Broadway's 2021-2022 season, lauded as one of the most racially diverse seasons yet. The 2022 award show caught the eyes of 3.9 million U.S. viewers, showing a significant increase from last year's event. Big winners included “A Strange Loop,” which took home Best New Musical, and Marianne Elliott, who made Tony history by becoming the only woman to win three Tonys for directing. Next: June 11th, 2023
New York
Toasting its 75th year, this year's Tony Awards took place on June 12. More than 5,000 guests arrived at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the best of Broadway's 2021-2022 season, lauded as one of the most racially diverse seasons yet. The 2022 award show caught the eyes of 3.9 million U.S. viewers, showing a significant increase from last year's event. Big winners included “A Strange Loop,” which took home Best New Musical, and Marianne Elliott, who made Tony history by becoming the only woman to win three Tonys for directing. Next: June 11th, 2023
Photo: Getty Images/Tony Awards
5. JUNO Awards
Toronto
The 2022 JUNO Awards made a welcomed return in person after going virtual for the past two years. Held as an outdoor ceremony for the first time ever at Budweiser Stage, the event gathered 10,000 people to honor the best musical talents hailing from Canada. Actor Simu Liu hosted the history-making evening as Deborah Cox became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Winners throughout the night included Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd, and Charlotte Cardin, among many others. For its 2023 event, the JUNO Awards will be held in Edmonton. Next: March 13, 2023
The 2022 JUNO Awards made a welcomed return in person after going virtual for the past two years. Held as an outdoor ceremony for the first time ever at Budweiser Stage, the event gathered 10,000 people to honor the best musical talents hailing from Canada. Actor Simu Liu hosted the history-making evening as Deborah Cox became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Winners throughout the night included Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd, and Charlotte Cardin, among many others. For its 2023 event, the JUNO Awards will be held in Edmonton. Next: March 13, 2023
Photo: CARAS/Ryan Bolton
6. NAACP Image Awards
Los Angeles
Following a weeklong virtual experience, the 53rd NAACP Image Awards—which celebrates outstanding achievements and performances by people of color in the arts—premiered via a live broadcast on BET. For the ninth year in a row, the night was hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson. While the ceremony itself was taped in-studio without an audience, an official viewing party and afterparty allowed for plenty of time to toast the winners' successes in person. Some winners made live on-screen appearances to accept their awards, and others were streamed in remotely. A few notable moments throughout the night included NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson presenting the President’s Award to Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex; a performance by Mary J. Blige; the introduction of four new award categories for podcasts; and awards won by Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, Angela Bassett, and Issa Rae. Next: Feb. 25, 2023
Following a weeklong virtual experience, the 53rd NAACP Image Awards—which celebrates outstanding achievements and performances by people of color in the arts—premiered via a live broadcast on BET. For the ninth year in a row, the night was hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson. While the ceremony itself was taped in-studio without an audience, an official viewing party and afterparty allowed for plenty of time to toast the winners' successes in person. Some winners made live on-screen appearances to accept their awards, and others were streamed in remotely. A few notable moments throughout the night included NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson presenting the President’s Award to Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex; a performance by Mary J. Blige; the introduction of four new award categories for podcasts; and awards won by Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, Angela Bassett, and Issa Rae. Next: Feb. 25, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of NAACP Image Awards/BET
7. Canadian Screen Awards
New to the list
Toronto
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards honored Canadian film, television, and digital media production from 2021. This year's winners were announced over six days through a series of livestreamed, in-studio shows, culminating with a pre-taped broadcast that aired on CBC on April 10. The show incorporated live-acceptance speeches and featured multi-award-winning sketch comedy troupe TallBoyz (Guled Abdi, Vance Banzo, Tim Blair, and Franco Nguyen, pictured), who opened and closed the ceremony broadcast—and even took home two awards. Television series and films honored with the most nominations included CBC/HBO dramedy Sort Of, CBC's Pretty Hard Cases, CTV's Wynonna Earp, Night Raiders, and Scarborough. The 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023 will feature gender-neutral performance categories for the first time ever. Next: April 2023
Toronto
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards honored Canadian film, television, and digital media production from 2021. This year's winners were announced over six days through a series of livestreamed, in-studio shows, culminating with a pre-taped broadcast that aired on CBC on April 10. The show incorporated live-acceptance speeches and featured multi-award-winning sketch comedy troupe TallBoyz (Guled Abdi, Vance Banzo, Tim Blair, and Franco Nguyen, pictured), who opened and closed the ceremony broadcast—and even took home two awards. Television series and films honored with the most nominations included CBC/HBO dramedy Sort Of, CBC's Pretty Hard Cases, CTV's Wynonna Earp, Night Raiders, and Scarborough. The 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023 will feature gender-neutral performance categories for the first time ever. Next: April 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Screen Awards
