Kennedy Center Names Paul Anka and David Foster 2026 Honorees

Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet, and Barbara Mandrell are the newest recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. The forty-ninth annual awards were announced on Monday. The quintet will be feted on December seventh during a gala ceremony. The event moves for the first time to the Capital One Arena in Washington, District of Columbia. One source notes the venue change happens because the Kennedy Center is closed for potential renovations. President Donald Trump and the board of trustees announced the honorees. Trump hosted last year's ceremony amid an ongoing political fight over the building and its leadership. Sixteen-time Grammy winner David Foster and teenage chart-topper Paul Anka lead the group. They are joined by Oscar nominee Andy Garcia and Pulitzer winner David Mamet. Country star Barbara Mandrell rounds out the list after retiring in nineteen ninety-seven.