Where were the 2026 Critics Choice Awards held on January 4, 2026?

The 2026 Critics Choice Awards were held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on January 4, 2026.

Barker Hangar is an event venue at Santa Monica Airport. Its large open interior makes it suitable for major entertainment events, including award ceremonies, premieres, and other productions requiring extensive staging and seating.

The ceremony was the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards. Chelsea Handler hosted the event for the fourth consecutive year, and the program honored film and television achievements from 2025.

The venue should not be confused with the Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Academy Awards in Hollywood, or the Microsoft Theater, another prominent Los Angeles awards venue. Barker Hangar’s Santa Monica location places it west of central Los Angeles near the Pacific coast.