Ahead of the Academy Awards, Nicole Kidman says she follows a quiet Sunday tradition that helps her stay grounded before the ceremony

Chanel & Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Dinner

Nicole Kidman revealed her pre-Oscars ritual (Image: Getty)

As Hollywood gears up for the 2026 Oscars, Nicole Kidman shared a personal tradition she follows every year before stepping onto one of the industry’s biggest stages.

During a pre-Oscars celebration on March 15, Kidman revealed that instead of sleeping in or squeezing in a workout, she begins the day by going to church.

The actress spoke about the ritual while attending the annual Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscars dinner at the Polo Lounge inside The Beverly Hills Hotel. The intimate gathering is a long-running Oscars weekend tradition that brings together actors, filmmakers and industry figures on the eve of the ceremony.

 

“This is crazy but I will go to church in the morning,” she told me Saturday night at the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscars dinner at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “We’ll be squeezing it in…It just centers me. It’s what I do on a Sunday.”

Kidman, who is set to present at the Oscars this year, attended the dinner with her daughters Sunday and Faith. While the teens joined their mother at the event, they won’t be accompanying her to the ceremony or the parties that typically follow.

“No, it’s a Sunday night,” the Scarpetta star said. “They’re on spring break, but we’ll all be sort of just tucking ourselves in, go home, have a bath and go to bed.”

She added that the evening could still include a celebration or two. “I may go out to a party…I should go out.”

The Chanel and Charles Finch dinner has become one of the most recognizable stops during Oscars weekend. Now in its 17th year, the event is known for its smaller guest list and relaxed atmosphere compared with some of the larger Hollywood parties. Around 150 guests gather for cocktails and dinner, giving actors and filmmakers a chance to mingle ahead of the awards show.

 

Chanel & Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Dinner

Kidman is presenting at the Oscars (Image: Getty)

This year’s guest list included an array of well-known names across film, television and music. Among those attending were Jessie Buckley, Teyana Taylor, Kristen Stewart, Mick Jagger, Sharon Stone, Javier Bardem, Diane Warren, Lily-Rose Depp, Sigourney Weaver, Olivia Munn, Ted Sarandos, Maya Rudolph, Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, Harvey Keitel, Elle Fanning, Regé-Jean Page and Joel Edgerton, along with Train Dreams director Clint Bentley and filmmaker Josh Safdie.

Held each year at the Polo Lounge, the dinner serves as a quiet lead-in to the Academy Awards, allowing many of the industry’s biggest names to gather before the hectic red carpet and ceremony the following day. Guests typically share cocktails on the patio before sitting down for dinner inside the iconic restaurant.

The main event arrives Sunday night with the 2026 Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards. Hosted this year by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The show will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu.