Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message. The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

Competition in the Eurovision Song Contest has kicked off with the first of two semifinals. Ten acts from among 15 countries that performed were voted through by voters to the final of the pan-continental music extravaganza.

Eurovision 2025 starts on Tuesday, May 13, at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT for fans in the U.S. The contest runs through the Grand Final on Saturday, May 17, also starting at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT. Here’s the schedule:

Thirty-seven nations are providing us with a smorgasbord of sounds ranging from espresso-powered electro-swing to sauna-based schlager.

Dances in costume perform during an interval during the first semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Melody from Spain performs the song “ESA DIVA” during the first semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest,

The song contest has had its share of controversial moments down the years, and 2025 is no exception. We look at the best of them as the event kicks off in Basel.

The singer's appearance in this year's contest has sparked pushback from protesters over Israel's inclusion in the contest.

Doctor Who” and Eurovision unite for an evening of music and intergalactic adventure on Saturday — all thanks to Russell T Davies. Before fans tune in for the annual song contest, they can enjoy Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor and Varada Sethu's Belinda Chandra attending the Interstellar Song Contest in an episode of the sci-fi series.

Yuval Raphael, who survived the 7 October attack, says performing her ballad New Day Will Rise is a "personal win".

During the ceremony, protesters waved Palestinian flags and held signs reading "No applause for genocide" and "Singing while Gaza burns," a sign of frustration that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Israel to participate in the competition.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 takes place from Mon., May 13, Thurs., May 15, and Sat., May 17. Here's how to find, watch, and livestream online.

Cash, born Tomas Tammemets, is setting his sights on something a little more traditional than he’s used to: representing Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Taking the stage in Basel, Switzerland,