Jools' Annual Hootenanny
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny is a British music TV special that airs on New Year’s Eve as part of Later… with Jools Holland on BBC Two. Since 1994, the pre-recorded show is presented as if live, with a countdown to midnight, the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards playing Auld Lang Syne, and a festive party atmosphere with guests from the music world and beyond. The program runs about two hours, ending around 1:30 a.m., and features Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra alongside a wide range of artists who perform before and after midnight. Regular bits include predictions from Rowland Rivron and Vic Reeves, and the appearance of Father Time/Clockman. Although pre-recorded, it’s made to feel like a live New Year’s Eve event.
The show has been filmed at several studios over the years in London and Kent, including Television Centre, The Maidstone Studios, Riverside Studios, and Versa London Studios.
Notable moments include Amy Winehouse performing with Paul Weller in 2007, Adrian Edmondson joining Jools for a swing version of “Anarchy in the U.K.,” and Kate Rusby singing at midnight with the Scots Guards.
Some critics have said the show has changed in recent years, but it remains a landmark BBC New Year’s Eve event.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:00 (CET).