The ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ Line-Up Includes Reigning Icons & This Year’s Breakout Stars

Has there ever been a New Year's Day more anticipated than 2018? As if the sheer joy of leaving 2017 behind wasn't enough, ABC's 2017 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve has assembled a truly impressive list of performers to welcome the new year. The special, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, Jenny McCarthy, and Ciara, begins at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 and will keep going until two in the morning. Those six hours will feature performances by over 26 artists, including some of pop music's most legendary stars. There won't be a single moment worth skipping thanks to the performers at New Year's Rockin' Eve, but there are some major events that music fans absolutely can't miss.

Specifically, the special could provide a redemptive moment for Mariah Carey, who during the 2016 New Year's Rockin' Eve delivered a performance that kept going even as she stopped singing. There appeared to have been an issue with the backing track, and the snafu had people talking for days afterwards A statement from Carey's rep claimed, "There was a production issue. Technical difficulties. There unfortunately was nothing she could do to continue with the performance given the circumstances."

While the opportunity for Carey to succeed where she once stumbled is an exciting draw, this year's New Year's Rockin' Eve has so many performances lined up that there will surely be something for everyone. Here are just some of the other performers worth tuning in for:

Britney Spears

2018 will mark the 20th anniversary of "...Baby One More Time," and the start of one of pop music's most exciting careers. Spears will be kicking off the third decade of her iconic career in style during New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Camila Cabello

After leaving Fifth Harmony at the end of 2016, Cabello has been releasing stellar pop tunes during all of 2017, including the tracks "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "Bad Things," and "Havana." Her performance on New Year's Rockin' Eve will be a perfect appetizer to her upcoming solo debut album.

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons's songs "Believer" and "Thunder" were both inescapable rock jams during 2017, and they'll be closing our their successful year with a performance on the special.

Khalid

Khalid had an exceptional year thanks to his platinum-selling debut album American Teen.

BTS

BTS had an exceptional year not just for themselves, but for treading new ground for all Korean pop artists looking for worldwide recognition. After making a splash as the first ever K-Pop group to perform at the American Music Awards, the group will now be the first ever K-Pop group to perform at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Kelly Clarkson

While American Idol may be no more, its legacy lives on in the success of similar television shows like The Voice, as well as the continued careers of its former winners. Kelly Clarkson won American Idol in 2001, and is still invited to close out the year at one of the biggest televised music events of the winter season.

Halsey

Halsey's Hopeless Fountain Kingdom released in 2017 and followed up on the success of "Closer," her breakthrough collaboration with The Chainsmokers. The album topped the Billboard 200 earlier in 2017.

Sugarland

Country act Sugarland will likely be performing their brand new single "Still The Same" at the New Year's Rockin' Eve. While many artists may be celebrating a stellar 2017, Sugarland seems ready to kick off an exciting year of new music in 2018.

Portugal. The Man

Portugal. The Man was a band without a major hit for over 10 years, and then "Feel It Still" was released. The song set a record for longest time atop Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, and has been heard in a variety of commercials across the course of 2017 — chances are fans will be hearing it once again at New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Those are just some of the biggest acts who'll be present at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve; the roster also includes performances from artists as varied as Nick Jonas, Walk The Moon, Kane Brown, Fitz & The Tantrums, Florida Georgia Line, Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld, Alessia Cara, Zedd, G-Eazy, Marshmello, Bebe Rexha, Alesso, and watt. With a line-up this dense and filled with talent, there are bound to be several performances that everyone will be talking about the next morning.