January 2026 TikTok Trends: Viral Moments You Need to Know
What’s Trending on TikTok in January 2026
The new year is already delivering TikTok moments that blend nostalgia, confession, community, and transformation. From year-end recap content synced to Drake’s “Slime You Out” to awkwardly perfect Charlie Brown x GloRilla dance mashups, January 2026 trends are hitting with emotional resonance and shareability. We’re seeing creators embrace regret confessionals, Pilates challenges, and music-driven storytelling that taps into major life themes. These aren’t just viral clips—they’re emerging creative formats your brand needs to understand.
Below, we break down the trends already gaining traction this month—plus how brands are showing up in the mix. Missed last month? Catch up on December 2025’s top trends here. And if you're planning ahead, don’t forget to check out our FYP Report and our monthly TikTok Trend Reports for deeper strategy and creative opportunities.
January 2025 Flashback: Trends That Defined Last Year
Before diving into what's dominating feeds right now, let's look back at what was trending exactly one year ago. January 2025 kicked off with its own viral energy—and some of these themes are cyclical enough that they're worth revisiting for 2026 strategy.
New Year's Audio Takeover
Cardi B's iconic audio ("Ladies and gentlemen, it was lovely to have you here, see you next year—or not") became the unofficial soundtrack of New Year's Eve 2025, with creators lip-syncing in their glam NYE outfits. It returned again this year, proving its staying power as an annual trend. The SpongeBob audio ("What's funnier than 2024? 2025!") brought comedic relief, while dedicated 2024 recap sounds gave creators space to celebrate milestones. This year, Drake's "Slime You Out" has taken over that recap space with a more narrative-driven approach.
Confessional Comedy
The Griffin from Family Guy audio ("Since we're all gonna die, there's one more secret I feel I have to share with you") sparked satirical "confessions" throughout January 2025, with creators revealing fake scars, pretend nemeses, and manufactured drama. The "Really Know What a Bad Day Is" audio let creators share exaggeratedly terrible experiences. This year's equivalent is the "writing's on the wall" regret trend, showing that confessional content continues to resonate—it just keeps finding new sonic vessels.
Viral Meme Moments
Perhaps the most unexpected sensation was "Raise Your Ya Ya Ya," a vocal coach video that exploded to over 200 million views. The clip showed a coach helping someone belt notes by encouraging "raise your ya ya ya" to open vowels, spawning countless dramatic parodies. Interactive trends like "Guess the Person" (blindfolded participants guessing who's talking) and the "Checking to See" trend (parodying Ivy League acceptance reveals with mundane scenarios like checking if restaurants were open) showed TikTok's appetite for participatory, family-friendly content that's still going strong this year.
What This Means for January 2026
If January 2025 was about celebration and comedic relief coming out of 2024, January 2026 feels more reflective and raw. We're seeing creators document transformation rather than just celebrate it, own regrets instead of manufacturing fake confessions, and build year-long narratives instead of one-off recap videos. The shift from "look how great my year was" to "look how much changed" signals a maturing platform where authenticity—even messy authenticity—wins.
Week of January 1, 2026 – Year-End Recaps, Mashups & Movement Resets
TikTok rang in the new year with a rush of reflection, nostalgia, and glow-up energy. Creators leaned hard into cinematic storytelling, confessional content, and viral mashups—setting the tone for a culture-first start to 2026.
Trend #1: "Slime You Out" 2025 Year Recap
Drake's "Slime You Out" has become the unofficial audio for 2025 year-in-review content, and it's hitting different than your standard photo dump. The song features a verse where Drake lists all 12 months chronologically—"January, you pretend to see life clearly, yearly / February is the time that you put the evil eye and the pride aside"—telling a full narrative arc from January to December. Creators have turned this into the perfect template for visual storytelling: syncing photos or video clips to each month as Drake mentions it, adding on-screen text labeling the month, and creating a cinematic recap of their entire year. What makes this trend pop is the hook—creators are framing their recaps with attention-grabbing intros like "an unexpected year," "the year I quit my job," "plot twist of the century," or "how it started vs. how it's going" to create narrative tension before revealing the month-by-month journey. Some are documenting major life changes (career shifts, breakups, relocations), others are showing glow-ups and transformations, and many are simply capturing the emotional arc of 12 months compressed into one satisfying edit. The trend works because Drake's lyrics already tell a story of change and growth, so it naturally lends itself to personal retrospectives, and the monthly structure makes it easy to organize a year's worth of content without overwhelming viewers.
How to Execute: Use the "Slime You Out" audio by Drake featuring SZA—specifically the verse where he lists January through December. Before filming, gather your best photos or video clips from each month of 2025. Start your video with a hook that creates intrigue: overlay text like "the year I _____" (quit my job, got divorced, moved across the country, became unrecognizable, lost everything then built it back, etc.). Then, sync one photo or short video clip to each month as Drake says it. Add on-screen text showing the month name to help viewers follow along. The content for each month can show major life events, subtle changes, travel moments, relationship updates, career milestones, or just the general vibe of that time in your life. Many creators use a mix of selfies, candid moments, and significant events to show the full story. The key is pacing—each month gets roughly 2-3 seconds of screen time, so choose visuals that immediately communicate what was happening. Some creators add additional context text for specific months ("this is when everything changed" on a pivotal month), but the monthly labels are usually enough. The most engaging versions have a clear narrative arc—starting one place emotionally, physically, or professionally and ending somewhere completely different by December. Works especially well for transformation content, major life transitions, or documenting an unexpectedly chaotic year.
Trend #2: Charlie Brown Christmas x "Yeah Glo!" Mashup Dance
The Peanuts gang just got a hip-hop makeover, and TikTok is losing it over the results. Creators are recreating the iconic dance scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"—you know, the one where every character breaks out their signature awkward moves—but set to producer noteliwood's mashup of GloRilla's "Yeah Glo!" layered over Vince Guaraldi's classic piano theme. Groups of friends, families, and coworkers are assigning each person a Peanuts character (Charlie Brown's shuffle, Snoopy's head bobs, Pig-Pen's foot slides, Lucy's fist pumps) and recreating their specific choreography in perfect chaotic harmony. The format typically opens with a zoom-out of everyone dancing together in a room, then cuts to the original cartoon character doing their move, followed by a close-up of the person mimicking it. What makes this trend hit different is how the mashup bridges generations—boomers who grew up with the 1965 special and Gen Z discovering it through viral audio are both participating. One video from @itisjamarmar threatening to bring these moves to the club racked up 4.3 million views, with comments calling the trend "Nobel Peace Prize worthy" for uniting people across the internet during the holidays. Some creators are even recruiting live piano players (@saddest.alex) or dressing their entire family as the full Peanuts cast (@ellabeanandmommy), turning it from a dance challenge into full-on holiday nostalgia performance art.
How to Execute: Use noteliwood's "Yeah Glo! x Charlie Brown Christmas" mashup audio. Gather your group—the more people, the better, since the original scene features the whole gang. Assign each person a Peanuts character based on their personality or dance style: Charlie Brown (basic two-step shuffle), Snoopy (exaggerated head bobs and shoulder shimmies), Lucy (aggressive fist pumps), Linus (gentle swaying), Sally (arm windmills), Pig-Pen (foot slides), Schroeder (imaginary piano playing). Watch the original dance scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to nail each character's specific moves—the awkwardness is the point, so commit fully. Film a wide shot of everyone dancing together in character, ideally in a living room or festive setting. Then film close-ups of each person doing their character's signature move. Edit the video to show: wide shot of the group → cut to the original cartoon character → cut to your person doing that character's dance. Some creators intercut all the characters rapid-fire, others focus on one or two standout performances. For bonus authenticity, recruit someone who can play piano to perform the "Linus and Lucy" theme live in the background. The key is fully embodying the stiff, goofy energy of the original animation—no polished choreography, just pure awkward holiday joy. Text overlays identifying which character each person is playing help viewers follow along and appreciate the accuracy.
Trend #3: "writing's on the wall" Year of Regrets
Role model's "writing's on the wall" has become the confessional audio for 2025's most unhinged year-end content, turning regrets into entertainment. The song features the lyric "dad's on the phone and he's lecturing me" (fitting for a regrets trend), and creators are using this specific moment to document every questionable decision they made this year. The format is straightforward but brutally honest: overlay on-screen text listing regrets while either showing b-roll footage from throughout the year, photos of the actual moments, or video evidence of the regret in action. What makes this trend hit different from typical year recaps is the tone—it's self-deprecating, funny, and refreshingly real about the chaos of 2025. Creators aren't posting highlight reels; they're airing out every bad call, from "wearing shorts while skydiving" to "drunk texting my ex in March" to "quitting my job without a backup plan." The regrets range from genuinely reckless (risky activities without proper gear) to hilariously petty (unfollowing someone who didn't deserve it) to deeply relatable life choices (spending $600 on concert tickets, ignoring red flags, cutting my own bangs). The trend resonates because everyone's carrying some version of "what was I thinking" energy as the year ends, and there's something cathartic about publicly owning your mistakes set to moody indie-pop.
How to Execute: Use the "writing's on the wall" audio by role model, specifically timing your content to the "dad's on the phone and he's..." lyric section. Compile your list of genuine regrets from 2025—the more specific and visual, the better. You can either film new b-roll footage (shots of you reflecting, sitting on your bed, walking through your city, etc.) or pull together photos and videos from throughout the year that capture the vibe of your regrettable moments. Layer on-screen text listing each regret, syncing them to appear rhythmically with the music. If you have actual footage or photos of the regret happening (skydiving in shorts, the haircut you immediately hated, screenshots of the text you shouldn't have sent), use that—specificity makes the content way more engaging. Format the text clearly so viewers can read each regret: bullet points work, or rapid-fire transitions showing one regret per screen. The best versions balance humor with genuine reflection: mix silly regrets ("bought a pet fish I wasn't ready for") with bigger ones ("stayed in a situation I knew wasn't right for me"). Keep your tone self-aware but not overly apologetic—this is about owning your chaos, not asking for forgiveness. Some creators add a final text overlay at the end like "anyway here's to better decisions in 2026" or "no regrets though" (ironically). Works especially well if you've had a particularly messy, transformative, or unpredictable year.
Trend #4: Pilates by Izzy 25-Day Challenge
Australian Pilates instructor Izzy Samuel's 25-day challenge has become the New Year's resolution trend dominating TikTok, and it's not just about the workouts—it's about the entire documented journey. The program itself is simple: 25 days of 25-minute contemporary Pilates workouts (free on YouTube), combining traditional mat work with resistance training. But creators have turned it into a three-act production: Act 1 is the Five Below shopping haul, loading up on yoga mats, light weights, ankle weights, resistance bands, Pilates balls, and blocks—everything under $50, often in cute pink colorways. Act 2 is the accountability series, posting day-by-day check-ins showing themselves struggling through Izzy's deceptively brutal routines (her "hi, my girls" greeting in an Aussie accent is now instantly recognizable). Act 3 is the payoff: dramatic before/after transformations showing real changes in core strength and muscle definition after just 25 days. The challenge works because it hits every viral sweet spot—time-bound for New Year commitments, budget-friendly (no expensive gym required), results-driven (the transformations are undeniable), and surprisingly difficult (proving at-home Pilates actually delivers). Postpartum moms, fitness beginners, and gym regulars are all participating, with most admitting they massively underestimated how hard 25 minutes could be.
How to Execute: Film your Five Below (or budget retailer) shopping haul showing each piece of equipment: yoga mat, 2-5 lb hand weights, ankle weights, resistance band, small Pilates ball, and yoga block. Add text showing the total cost (under $50). Take Day 1 before photos in fitted workout clothes—front, side, and back views. Document yourself doing the first workout with genuine reactions to how hard it is; split-screen yourself alongside Izzy's YouTube video or just show your exhausted face afterward. Post check-ins throughout: Day 5 (adjusting), Day 10 (halfway), Day 15 (seeing changes), Day 20 (final push). On Day 25, create before/after comparisons showing your transformation. Be honest about which days destroyed you most, whether you took rest days (most people rest every 2-3 days), and what surprised you about the process. Many creators note visible core definition and arm tone even without major scale changes. Link Izzy's YouTube playlist and tag her. Bonus content: review which Five Below equipment held up versus what you'd upgrade, or post FAQs about modifications and what to expect. The key is authenticity—show the struggle, the sweat, and the real results, not a polished performance.
FAQ: January 2026 TikTok Trends
Q1: What are the best TikTok trends for New Year's content?
New Year's trends typically fall into three categories: recap/reflection (like the "Slime You Out" year-in-review trend), resolution/transformation (like the Pilates 25-day challenge), and fresh start comedy (confessional regrets content). The most successful New Year's content creates a narrative arc—showing where you started, what changed, and where you're headed. Brands should lean into transformation storytelling while creators can embrace vulnerability mixed with humor.
Q2: Do New Year's resolution trends perform well throughout January or just the first week?
Resolution trends have legs throughout January and often into February. The key is documenting the journey, not just the commitment. Content showing Day 1 vs. Day 15 of a challenge, admitting you've already fallen off your goals, or celebrating small wins performs consistently well. The "accountability content" format (regular check-ins on a goal) tends to gain momentum mid-month as people realize resolutions are harder than expected.
Q3: Should brands participate in confession/regret trends?
It depends on your brand voice. Confessional trends work best for brands with an informal, self-aware tone (think Duolingo, Scrub Daddy, RyanAir). B2B or luxury brands should approach cautiously. If you do participate, keep it light and relevant to your industry—a travel brand can confess "bad" destination choices, a food brand can own recipe fails, a fashion brand can acknowledge past trend mistakes. The key is being genuinely funny without trying too hard.
Q4: Are mashup trends (like Charlie Brown x GloRilla) worth the production effort?
Mashup trends require more coordination and editing, but they're excellent for team building, behind-the-scenes content, and showing brand personality. They work especially well for brands with multiple team members, retail locations with staff, or companies that want to showcase workplace culture. The ROI is often in virality potential and shareability—people love tagging friends to "do this with me."
Q5: How do I know if a trend is still relevant by the time I can execute it?
Check the audio usage numbers and sort by "newest" to see if creators are still actively posting. If you're seeing fresh uploads within the last 24-48 hours, the trend still has momentum. January trends tied to New Year energy (recaps, resolutions) have a natural expiration date around mid-February, while evergreen formats (transformation content, confessional comedy) can work year-round with different sonic vessels.
Q6: What equipment do I actually need for the Pilates challenge trend?
The core equipment is affordable and available at most budget retailers: yoga mat ($10-15), 2-5 lb dumbbells ($10), ankle weights ($8-12), resistance band ($5-8), small Pilates ball ($5), and yoga block ($5). Total investment is typically $40-60. Many creators document their Five Below or Amazon hauls as part of the content journey. If you're a fitness brand, this is an opportunity to showcase your products in an authentic challenge format.
Q7: Can year recap trends work for brands or are they too personal?
Year recaps absolutely work for brands—you just need to adapt the format. Use the "Slime You Out" monthly structure to show: product launches month-by-month, campaign highlights, customer testimonials organized by month, seasonal offerings, or brand evolution. The key is having visual variety and a clear narrative thread. Beauty brands can show 12 different looks, travel brands can showcase 12 destinations, food brands can highlight 12 seasonal recipes.
Q8: What's the difference between January 2025 and January 2026 trends?
January 2025 leaned into celebration and comedic relief (Cardi B NYE audio, fake confessions, viral memes like "Ya Ya Ya"). January 2026 feels more introspective and authentic—documenting real transformation, owning genuine regrets, and building year-long narratives. The shift reflects a maturing platform where audiences crave depth alongside entertainment. Brands should adjust from pure celebration to transformation storytelling.
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