Ten years ago the 2016 year was a year to remember. The rise of the fidget spinner, fidget toys, music, Musical.ly trends, Snapchat filters, and specialized trends captivated and took hold of the whole world. 2016 was its own era. 

Ten years later, we look at the start of the 2026 year and see so many trends relating back to the iconic 2016. Tiktoks based on 2016 songs, parties, and trends, filters becoming popular, fidget toys making a comeback, and so many more memorable “throwbacks.”

From seeing all of these flashbacks and trends reappearing, a question has to come up of if 2026 is the new 2016.

Songs and artists from so long ago are coming back in full force. Artist Zara Larson has made a comeback this year with songs such as “Stateside” and “Lush Life” becoming popular. Junior Georgia Morrow said, “Artists that used to be super big like Zara Larson are coming back, and I think it’s very nostalgic… it’s more happy music coming back.” 

Now, instead of fidget spinners, it is the rise of the needo. Fidget toys ten years ago took off tremendously and died out for a long time. The slime era, fidget spinners, and the crazyhead putty was the most trendy thing at the time. Now, we see them coming back at a crazy rate with almost everyone owning slime and needos and bringing them to school. 

Revisiting social media, musically type of videos are being created as a throwback to 2016, along with trends that were super popular back then being recreated. Junior Jaylee Laxamana states, “I feel like a lot of old Tiktok trends like dances mainly are coming back.” Social media featured the main rise of nostalgia by raising the idea of throwbacks to the iconic and unforgettable 2016.

From so many nostalgic and memorable aspects of 2016 we can’t help but notice them bleeding their way into 2026 making this year possibly the new 2016.