Snapchat is stepping further into the entertainment spotlight with a brand-new event aimed squarely at the platform’s creator community. The company announced on Wednesday that it will host its first-ever awards show, The Snappys, on March 21, positioning the night as a celebration of “the creators shaping culture on Snapchat.”
The Snappys is designed to recognize the many ways Snapchat creators influence trends, start conversations, and build loyal communities through short-form video and storytelling. According to Snapchat, the awards are meant to spotlight creators not only as everyday users of the app, but as artists, entertainers, and cultural leaders helping define what people watch and share online.
A wide range of award categories is planned, mixing big platform-wide honors with genre-focused recognition. On the marquee list are titles like Spotlight MVP, Best Storyteller, and Breakout Creator of the Year. Snapchat also plans to recognize creators across major interest areas that perform strongly on social media, including fashion, beauty, sports, music, food, and games. Additional categories will highlight collaboration, comedy, and cultural impact, underscoring how creators work together and how their content can ripple beyond the app.
Unlike some creator awards that are announced only online, Snapchat is going for a more traditional, live awards-show format. Winners will be revealed during the event itself, which is expected to bring together creators, industry leaders, and special guests. One of the most notable names already confirmed is DJ Khaled, who will receive Snapchat’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The show will be hosted by comedian and creator Matt Friend and will take place at Snap’s headquarters in Santa Monica. Snapchat says more information is on the way, including the full list of nominees, which will be shared in the coming weeks.
The move reflects a bigger trend across social media: platforms are increasingly investing in creator recognition as a way to boost loyalty, fuel cultural relevance, and reinforce their role in entertainment. With The Snappys, Snapchat is making it clear it doesn’t just want to be where creators post—it wants to be where creators are celebrated.
