The ballroom transforms into a holiday spectacular tonight as Dancing with the Holidays — the franchise’s first-ever seasonal event — premieres with a full hour of festive choreography, celebrity cameos and musical performances. The celebration sets the tone for December programming and brings fans into the spirit through the highly anticipated dwts holiday special 2025.
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A festive premiere for DWTS fans
The one-hour special airs Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. PT on ABC, with the broadcast streaming simultaneously on Disney+. Viewers can also watch on-demand the next day through Disney+ and Hulu. The program arrives just after the conclusion of Season 34, giving fans a final dose of ballroom flair before the year ends.
Hosts, dancers and format
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro return as co-hosts, guiding the special with their trademark energy and stage presence. They also join the professional dancers in several holiday-themed performances throughout the hour. Unlike a typical competitive DWTS episode, this event functions as a pure showcase, offering viewers a blend of ensemble routines, duets, and lighthearted segments crafted for family viewing.
Longtime pros including Jenna Johnson, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson and Daniella Karagach take part in the production. Their numbers feature winter-inspired visuals, sparkling costuming and choreography built around seasonal classics.
A major musical moment
Pentatonix provides the marquee musical performance of the night, adding their signature harmonies to a holiday arrangement designed to pair with the dancers’ routines. The group’s inclusion adds a concert-style highlight, merging live vocals with ballroom artistry.
Holiday staging and creative choices
Producers leaned into the holiday theme with elaborate sets reminiscent of winter villages, sparkling forests and cozy indoor scenes. The lighting and costume design amplify the festive mood, while the choreography draws from multiple ballroom genres — jive, waltz, tango and more — reworked to fit seasonal music.
The special’s pacing is brisk, built around standout dance numbers rather than competitive buildup. Each performance is designed as a self-contained moment, making the hour accessible to casual viewers while still rewarding longtime fans with appearances from beloved pros.
Why the holiday special matters
DWTS has seen renewed momentum over the past year, and ABC is using that popularity to expand the franchise’s footprint. A holiday special gives the network a family-friendly event during a high-viewing season and offers fans a new tradition to look forward to each December. It also allows the show to experiment with formats outside standard competition, tapping into the flexibility of Disney+ and multi-platform broadcasts.
How to watch
The special airs live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET and streams on Disney+ at the same time. Fans who miss the live broadcast can watch on Disney+ and Hulu starting the following day. Households that use cable-free live TV services will also be able to view the special if their package includes ABC.
Fan anticipation and early reactions
Promotional clips and production photos released ahead of the broadcast have generated enthusiasm, with fans noting the elaborate staging and return of popular pro dancers. The holiday special aims to offer viewers an upbeat, visually rich celebration suited for families settling into the holiday season.
A new DWTS tradition begins
If audience response matches early excitement, this holiday concept could become an annual addition to the franchise slate. With performances from top pros, charismatic hosting, and a major musical guest, the inaugural special establishes a festive blueprint that can easily return in the years ahead.