The 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon is getting a major expansion for its 30th anniversary.
SBS has officially confirmed that this year’s year-end K-pop event will take place over two consecutive days on December 24 and 25, 2026, marking the first time the annual festival will be held across two days. The event will be hosted at KINTEX in Ilsan, South Korea.
The expanded format will also serve as a celebration of three decades of the SBS Gayo Daejeon brand, with SBS planning special performances that connect different generations of K-pop.
When Is SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026?
SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 will be held on:
December 24, 2026 — Christmas Eve
December 25, 2026 — Christmas Day
The event will take place at KINTEX in Ilsan.
This will be the first time SBS Gayo Daejeon has officially been scheduled as a two-day event, making the 2026 edition different from previous year-end editions.
SBS Gayo Daejeon Celebrates 30 Years
SBS Gayo Daejeon began in 1996, making 2026 its 30th anniversary year.
Over the years, the program has become one of South Korea’s major year-end music events, bringing together artists from different parts of the K-pop industry for performances and special stages.
The anniversary edition will look back across the development of K-pop while also highlighting artists active in the current global music scene.
Special Stages Will Connect Different Generations of K-pop
One of the main features announced for the 2026 event is a series of special collaboration stages involving artists from different generations.
SBS says the program will bring together veteran artists associated with earlier periods of K-pop and artists who are currently active in the global music market.
Rather than limiting the anniversary celebration to one particular generation, the planned performances are designed around the broader history of K-pop.
This could give the 30th-anniversary event a different structure from a standard year-end performance lineup, with collaborations becoming part of the show’s anniversary theme.
G30: The 30th-Anniversary Identity
SBS had already begun introducing its anniversary branding during the 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer event.
During the summer broadcast, SBS showcased past Gayo Daejeon logos dating back to 1996 before revealing the G30 logo for the upcoming 30th anniversary.
The anniversary identity was presented around the concepts “GLOWING,” “GROOVE,” and “GRAND,” giving fans an early look at how SBS planned to frame the milestone year.
Where Will SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 Be Held?
The 2026 event will take place at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province.
KINTEX is one of South Korea’s major exhibition and convention venues, and the location will host both days of the anniversary event.
Venue: KINTEX, Ilsan
Dates: December 24–25, 2026
Event: 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon
SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 Lineup
The official artist lineup has not been announced yet.
SBS has confirmed that the participating artists will be revealed sequentially at a later date. Therefore, names circulating online should not be treated as confirmed performers unless they are announced through SBS or the artists’ official channels.
Confirmed So Far
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon |
| Anniversary | 30th |
| Dates | December 24–25, 2026 |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Venue | KINTEX, Ilsan |
| Special theme | 30 years of K-pop history |
| Special stages | Cross-generational collaborations |
| Artist lineup | To be announced |
| First SBS Gayo Daejeon | 1996 |
What to Expect From the 30th Anniversary Event
The confirmed plans point toward an event built around the history of K-pop as well as its current generation.
SBS has specifically highlighted performances involving artists from different eras, including collaborations between veteran performers and current artists. The two-day schedule also gives the anniversary edition more room for performances and special stages than a single-day format.
More details about the performers, stage lineup and other event information are expected to be announced as the December event approaches.
SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026: What We Know So Far
The 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon will be particularly notable for its 30th anniversary celebration and first-ever two-day format.
With the event scheduled across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, SBS is positioning the anniversary edition as a large-scale year-end celebration that brings together different generations of K-pop.
For now, fans will have to wait for SBS to reveal the participating artists and additional details about each day’s program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026?
SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 will take place on December 24 and 25, 2026.
Where is SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026?
The event will be held at KINTEX in Ilsan, South Korea.
Is SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 a two-day event?
Yes. The 2026 edition will be held over two days for the first time in the event’s history.
Is the SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 lineup announced?
Not yet. SBS has said that the artist lineup will be revealed sequentially at a later date.
Why is SBS Gayo Daejeon 2026 special?
The 2026 edition marks the 30th anniversary of SBS Gayo Daejeon and will feature special stages connecting different generations of K-pop.
