The Best Moments From Saturday Night Live’s Last Episode of 2025

And that’s a wrap on 2025. . . at least, for Saturday Night Live it is!

Last night, SNL aired its last episode of 2025, concluding its year in laughs with Ariana Grande as the host and Cher as the musical guest. (Name a more iconic duo.) The two headliners were not the only reason to tune in last night, either: Fan-favorite cast member Bowen Yang also delivered his very final episode, after announcing earlier this week that he was departing the show. (Cue the tears.)

Missed all of the funny skits and great musical moments live last night? Fear not: Vogue is recapping all of the must-see moments for your viewing pleasure. Read on for the highlights.

Ariana’s opening Mariah Carey-inspired skit

Ariana Grande opened the show with a festive musical number—because admit it, having her not sing would be a missed opportunity, even if she was not the musical guest. The star performed a comedic rendition of Mariah Carey’s classic number, “All I Want For Christmas is You”—only Grande changed the lyrics to sing about not knowing what to a buy as a Christmas present for her cousin’s boyfriend Steve. “I don’t know a thing about him, I only ever see him on Christmas Eve,”she crooned. The vocals? Impeccable. The Bowen Yang cameo? Stunning.

Cher brings festive cheer

Is there a more epic way for SNL to conclude 2025 than with having Cher as a musical guest? The iconic diva gave us two festive performances. For her first set, Cher sang “DJ Play a Christmas Song” from her 2023 holiday album, Christmas. Later on in the episode, she returned to perform a cover of the Chuck Berry standard “Run Rudolph Run.”

The Elf on a Shelf support group

In a holiday-themed sketch, Ariana, Marcello Hernandez, Mikey Day, and Jeremy Culhane portray Elves on a Shelf who are going through some tough times. Ariana, for one, is distressed about her family getting a brand new cat. “It hunts me like I’m a rat,” she cries, “and since Santa says I can’t move, I just have to let it happen!”

Ariana’s glamorous vintage style

Always one to embody classic Hollywood glamour, Grande worked with her stylist Law Roach to bring striking archival fashions to the SNL stage. Her opening monologue look, for one, was a vintage Vivienne Westwood gown. To introduce Cher, she also wore a navy sequinned number with a feather stole from Bob Mackie, who has famously designed many iconic Cher looks over the years.

Bowen’s final bow

We’re not crying, you’re crying. . . In one of his last sketches, Bowen Yang plays a Delta Sky Club employee who is clocking into his last shift. “I just wanted to go out on top,” he says. He and Ariana then share a sentimental musical number together. Cher even makes a cameo as the Delta CEO of eggnog. “Everyone thought you were a little bit too gay,” she says, “but you were perfect for me.”

Michael Che’s nephew shares his wish list

Michael Che’s nephew Tyson Stopped by the Weekend Update news desk to share his wish list for Santa. Only, he used the platform to address his beef with Santa directly. (He is upset he never gave him the bike he asked for.) “Listen, bitch, heres how it’s gonna go,” Tyson says. “I’m gonna slide down your chimney and step on any elves who get in my way.”

Ariana as. . . Katy Perry

For the Random Duet Christmas Spectacular skit, SNL paired two iconic singers together to perform some festive holiday tunes. There was Kate Bush and Yoko Ono, Bruce Springsteen paired with Bad Bunny, or Bob Dylan and Katy Perry—featuring Ariana as her in her space outfit, no less.

The Grinch starts dating

Ariana stars in one of those dating shows where you fall in love with someone behind a wall. . .only to discover the love of her life is actually, The Grinch. Naturally, the SNL wardrobe could not help but put Ariana in a pick gown—for a little cheeky nod to Wicked green and pink. They would have got bonus points of the Grinch was actually Jim Carrey.

Home Alone goes gruesome

The SNL cast reimagined what an R-rated Home Alone would look like. Starring Ariana as Kevin, the sketch begins when the family return home at the end of the movie—only, they all proceed to fall into the booby traps he has placed around the house—each one of them meeting a gruesome demise. Happy holidays!

Aidy Bryant returns as a trend forecaster

Aidy and Bowen portray avant-garde fashion trend forecasters who have big visions for the holiday season. In? Fighting with your family, and Bombas socks. “Everyone is getting socks from Bombas,” says Bryant. Out? Mistletoe. “A plant that makes you kiss? There is already one of those, and it’s called marijuana.”