The Oscars are not just a one-night event; rather, it is a festive season with ritualistic celebrations of its own that lasts for months in the realm of Hollywood. Every event, every announcement sparks debates among movie buffs, critics, and even moviegoers. Each landmark, from submission deadlines to the red carpet photos, helps plot the way to Hollywood's greatest night. 

While the talk surrounding the glittering nominees, such as Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Marty Supreme, is getting louder, every award season enthusiast must mark their calendars. Get ready to indulge in the critical events, ranging from nominations to the main ceremony that go on till March, 2026.

The 2026 awards season officially begins much earlier than the 98th Academy Awards itself, with the deadlines for film submissions, shortlists, luncheons, and voting rounds set throughout the latter part of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Some of the key dates include the nominations voting period from Monday, January 12, 2026, to Friday, January 16, 202,6 where Academy members vote to select nominees in all 24 categories. 

Then comes the 98th Oscars Nominations Announcement on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8:30 AM PT. The announcement is hosted by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, nominees gather for photos, speeches, and lunch, warming up for the main ceremony in the event called the Oscars Nominees Luncheon. 

Apart from the submission deadlines, the key dates that precede the initial voting period include Student Academy Awards on Monday, October 6, 2025, Governors Awards on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and the Oscars Shortlists Announcement on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. In the final (winners) voting period, which opens 9 AM PT on Thursday, February 26, 2026, and lasts till Thursday, March 5, 2026, 5 AM PT, the Academy members vote to pick the winners after watching the mandatory nominated films in their categories.

These events that lead up to the main ceremony of the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien as the host once again. But the awards season does not end there, because Tuesday, April 28, 2026, marks the Scientific and Technical Awards, which are not included in the main event that would be livestreamed on major platforms. 

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Wondering where to watch the major Oscars events at home?

The 98th Oscars nominations announcement will be streamed live on the Academy's social media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) and their official website. In the US, viewers can also tune into ABC's Good Morning America, ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu.

The Oscars Nominees Luncheon is a private, in-person event for nominees. Hence, it is not publicly televised or live-streamed. However, fans are never left parched because the Academy's social media and various outlets share ample insider content to keep the buzz going.

As far as the main event, the 98th Academy Awards Ceremony is concerned, it will be broadcast live on ABC  on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. It will also stream live on platforms like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV, before YouTube takes over completely in the near future. Meanwhile, some of the key events like the Student Academy Awards, which lead upto the main event is available on the Academy's official website. 

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Which key events are you going to stay tuned it for before the 98th Academy Awards? Comment your thoughts below.