AceShowbiz - The fourth annual Children's & Family Emmy Awards delivered a heartwarming and memorable night on Monday evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York. The event, hosted by actor, director, and puppeteer John Tartaglia, was highlighted by a stirring opening performance by singer-songwriter Regina Spektor.

Regina Spektor captivated the audience as she performed a solo piano cover of the beloved "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" theme song, originally from the iconic children’s program Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Her intimate rendition was met with warm applause from attendees who recognized the tender melody and heartfelt lyrics. Spektor closed the performance with an affectionate "Hello, neighbor!" to the crowd, setting a soft, welcoming tone for the evening.

The ceremony showcased a variety of stars from children’s and family entertainment, with presenters including Amber Riley (known for Glee), Rachel Accurso (popularly known as Ms. Rachel), Monique Coleman (famed for High School Musical), and science communicator Bill Nye. The awards recognized outstanding achievements in television programming designed for younger audiences and families.

Among the notable winners was actor Joe Locke, who received the award for Outstanding Lead Performer for his role as Charlie Spring in the Netflix series Heartstopper. Tabitha Brown earned the Outstanding Children's Personality award for her YouTube channel Tab Time, and John Lithgow was honored for his voice performance in the animated program Spellbound.

The evening also celebrated excellence in music direction and composition with two awards presented. The BYUtv series Secrets at Red Rocks won for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition in a Live Action Program, specifically for the episode "Open Your Mind a Little." Meanwhile, the AppleTV+ animated series WondLa was awarded in the category for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition in an Animated Program for the episode titled "Heart."

In a standout moment for franchise fans, Descendants: The Rise of Red, the latest installment in the popular Disney Channel musical movie series, secured five Emmy awards, including Outstanding Fiction Special. This success underscored the continuing appeal and quality of musical storytelling in family entertainment.

Below is a detailed list of winners across major categories at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards:

Outstanding Preschool, Children's or Family Viewing Series
Nominees included Jane (Apple TV+), Kids Baking Championship (Food Network), Ms. Rachel (YouTube), Odd Squad (PBS Kids), Tab Time (YouTube), and Sesame Street (HBO Max). The award went to Sesame Street.

Outstanding Young Teen Series
Contenders were Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Disney+), Heartstopper (Netflix), Sweet Tooth (Netflix), Time Bandits (Apple TV+), and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Disney+). Star Wars: Skeleton Crew took home the prize.

Outstanding Fiction Special
The category was led by Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip (Disney+), Girl Haunts Boy (Fifth Season), Henry Danger: The Movie (Nickelodeon), and Descendants: The Rise of Red (Disney+), with Descendants: The Rise of Red earning the award.

Outstanding Informational Program
A Real Bug's Life (National Geographic) won over Building Outside the Lines, Harlem Ice (Disney+), and Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World (Netflix).

Outstanding Preschool Animated Series
The Tiny Chef Show (Nickelodeon) triumphed against Carl the Collector (PBS Kids), Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (PBS Kids), Molly of Denali (PBS Kids), and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (PBS Kids).

Outstanding Children's or Young Teen Animated Series
Win or Lose (Disney+) was awarded over Big City Greens (Disney+), Dream Productions (Disney+), Wolf King (Netflix), and Wylde Pak (Nickelodeon).

Outstanding Animated Special
Ultraman: Rising (Netflix) won against An Almost Christmas Story (Disney+), Kiff: The Haunting of Miss McGravy's House (Disney+), Kiff: Lore of the Ring Light (Disney+), and That Christmas (Netflix).

Outstanding Short Form Live Action Program
Andrew Garfield and Elmo Explain Grief (Sesame Workshop YouTube Channel) won over Girls' Voices Now (Here TV), My Way (PBS Kids), and Together We Can (PBS Kids).

Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
Daffy in Wackyland (HBO Max) took the award against Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams (PBS Kids), Count on June Bug (Thirteen), Eva the Owlet (Apple TV+), and How Not to Draw (Disney+).

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program
Joe Locke for Heartstopper (Netflix) earned the award in a competitive field including Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Danya Griver (Malory Towers), Lisa Kudrow (Time Bandits), Jude Law (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew), David Schwimmer (Goosebumps: The Vanishing), and Nina Toussaint-White (The Primrose Railway Children).

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program
Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd in Sweet Tooth (Netflix) was honored, alongside Rosalind Chao, Ellie Goldstein, Stefania LaVie Owen, and Dara Reneé.

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program
Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) was recognized over Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew), Lucian-River Chauhan (Me), Ava Joyce McCarthy (The Primrose Railway Children), Naledi Murray (Sweet Tooth), and April V. Woods (Malory Towers).

Outstanding Puppetry Performer
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby & Tango on Sesame Street (HBO Max) won, with nominees Frankie Cordero, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Ryan Dillon, and Carmen Osbahr also celebrated for their work.

Outstanding Voice Performer in a Preschool Program
Ana Gasteyer for RoboGobo was the winner, competing against Pamela Adlon and Dee Bradley Baker.

The night’s awards highlighted the vibrant creativity and dedication behind children’s and family programming, celebrating performers, creators, and musicians who bring quality content to young audiences. From nostalgic tunes by Regina Spektor to the latest series and specials, the 2026 Children's & Family Emmys underscored a commitment to wholesome, educational, and entertaining media.