Snapchat Announces ‘The Snappys’ Creator Awards Show

Snapchat is stepping into the creator spotlight with its inaugural awards ceremony, “The Snappys,” scheduled for March 21, 2026. Announced on February 25, the event aims to celebrate the artists, entertainers, and cultural influencers shaping trends and conversations on the platform.

The Snappys will honor creators across a wide range of categories, including Spotlight MVP, Best Storyteller, Breakout Creator of the Year, and specialized awards in fashion, beauty, sports, music, food, games, collaboration, comedy, and cultural impact. Snapchat described the honors as a reflection of “the many ways creators spark conversations, build community, and define culture.”

The live show will take place at Snap’s Santa Monica headquarters and feature comedian and creator Matt Friend as host. It will bring together creators, industry leaders, and special guests, with DJ Khaled set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Snapchat joins a growing list of social platforms recognizing top creators through formal awards. Instagram introduced its “Ring” award in October 2025, honoring 25 global creators with custom physical rings designed by Grace Wales Bonner and digital profile badges. TikTok launched its first U.S. TikTok Awards in November 2025, with category-specific winners (Creator of the Year, Video of the Year, Breakthrough Artist, etc.) revealed live – following earlier awards shows in Germany, Mexico, and Korea.

The Snappys align most closely with TikTok’s format, featuring a traditional in-person event with live announcements. Snapchat emphasized the show as a way to position creators as central to its ecosystem, reinforcing the app’s commitment to them “not just as users, but as artists, entertainers, and cultural leaders.”