The holiday season officially lights up the ballroom this year as Dancing with the Stars unveils a brand-new televised celebration designed to bring families together for music, dance and festive storytelling. The production debuts at a key moment in the entertainment calendar, offering fans a full hour of choreography, celebrity appearances and seasonal scenery connected to the dwts holiday special 2025, an event that marks a new milestone for the long-running franchise.
The special arrives immediately after a high-energy season and serves as a bridge between the show’s competition format and a broader entertainment experience curated specifically for the holidays. With an entirely different structure, unique musical collaborations and an ambitious visual design, the production stands as one of ABC’s most anticipated December broadcasts.
A Holiday Premiere Built for Families Across the Country
Viewers across the United States can tune in on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. PT, when the event premieres on ABC. The network is positioning the special as the center of its early-December programming schedule, allowing the series to enter the holiday conversation with a fresh new identity. The special will also be available on Disney+ at the same time, making it easily accessible to households that stream their seasonal entertainment.
Hulu and Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch the special beginning the following day, ensuring that viewers can enjoy the holiday showcase on their own schedules. This wide release strategy reflects ABC’s growing commitment to hybrid broadcasting—reaching traditional television audiences while supporting the streaming platforms that have become essential viewing hubs for millions of U.S. households.
Why This Special Matters to the DWTS Universe
For nearly two decades, Dancing with the Stars has thrived by mixing celebrity personalities with high-level choreography. The new holiday event builds on that foundation while presenting something altogether different. Instead of competing for scores or judges’ approval, the cast focuses exclusively on creating entertaining moments built around storytelling, music and collaborative performance.
The special leverages the strengths of the series—its professional dancers, its wide fan base, its family-friendly reputation—and applies them to a genre that suits the holiday season. By stepping away from the usual competitive format, the production opens new creative possibilities, including larger ensemble numbers, extended musical segments and themed scenes that transport viewers into a winter setting crafted specifically for television.
ABC’s decision to launch this new seasonal showcase signals that the network sees value in expanding the franchise. The combination of holiday timing, recognizable hosts and big-name performers creates an opportunity to connect with both loyal viewers and families who enjoy festive specials as part of their yearly traditions.
Charismatic Hosts Bring Warmth and Energy
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro return to lead the event, continuing their dynamic partnership from recent DWTS seasons. Both hosts have established rhythms with the live audience, and they use that chemistry to guide the holiday program with humor and enthusiasm. Ribeiro’s natural comedic presence pairs well with Hough’s dance expertise, giving the show a mix of comfort and precision that suits the holiday atmosphere.
Throughout the hour, the hosts introduce performances, participate in several moments onstage and interact with dancers in a way that feels casual and inviting. Their presence gives the special a sense of continuity for devoted fans while keeping the tone light for first-time holiday viewers.
A Dazzling Lineup of Professional Dancers
One of the most exciting components of the holiday event is the return of the professional dancers who have defined the franchise. Among the pros participating are Jenna Johnson, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson and Daniella Karagach, each bringing their unique style to the seasonal routines.
The dancers appear in a variety of formats throughout the show, including:
- Large ensemble numbers with festive costumes and intricate formations
- Paired dances that highlight technical precision
- Group collaborations mixing ballroom styles with modern staging
- Cameo-style moments where certain dancers appear briefly to support musical acts
Because the special does not operate under competitive time constraints, the choreographers had more freedom to design numbers that emphasize visual spectacle. Fans can expect fast-paced transitions, elaborate staging and synchronized movements that use the full ballroom floor.
Pentatonix Provides a Signature Musical Centerpiece
A major highlight of the event is the musical performance from Pentatonix, whose harmonies have become synonymous with the holiday season. Their appearance brings a concert-level element to the special, creating a blend of live vocals and choreographed dance that is rarely seen on the standard competition format.
The group’s performance incorporates:
- Rich vocal arrangements designed for a holiday mood
- Coordinated staging with the professional dancers
- A visual style that complements the winter theme of the ballroom
This collaboration elevates the production and adds variety to the show’s pacing, giving viewers both dance-driven and music-centered moments throughout the hour.
Inside the Production: A Winter World Built for Television
Producers transformed the ballroom into a holiday setting using custom-built scenic elements, lighting effects and costuming that evoke winter celebrations. Every aspect of the stage design serves the seasonal concept, from shimmering floor patterns to snow-inspired accents placed throughout the performance space.
Lighting and Visual Design
The lighting direction integrates soft golds, cool blues, frosted whites and vibrant reds to simulate everything from candlelit interiors to snowy landscapes. These atmospheric changes enhance each dance style and help distinguish one routine from another.
Costuming
The wardrobes feature rich textures—velvet, sequins, silk overlays and metallic detailing—that catch the stage lights and elevate the movement of the dancers. The holiday palette includes traditional colors as well as modern interpretations that keep the visuals fresh and dynamic.
Choreography
Choreographers reimagined familiar ballroom genres for seasonal themes. For example:
- Jive numbers set to upbeat holiday tracks
- Waltzes paired with orchestral winter songs
- Tango sequences adapted for festive dramatic flair
- Foxtrots styled around warm, classic holiday melodies
The variety ensures that the hour feels constantly in motion, with each routine offering a unique interpretation of the holiday spirit.
A Format That Emphasizes Celebration Over Competition
Without judges’ scores or elimination rounds, the special shifts focus entirely to entertainment. This freedom allows the cast to explore choreography that might not fit into the structure of a typical DWTS season. The dancers also appear more relaxed, using the absence of competitive pressure to prioritize storytelling and atmosphere.
Segments are shorter, smoother and more concentrated, allowing the special to move quickly through a wide range of performances. Viewers can expect a consistent holiday pace that makes the hour suitable for family viewing, casual background enjoyment or dedicated fan watch parties.
Fan Excitement Builds Ahead of the Premiere
Promotional footage shared in the days leading up to the premiere generated excitement among fans who have followed the franchise for years. The previews highlight elaborate set pieces, quick glimpses of the pro dancers in their holiday costumes and a few energetic moments from Pentatonix’s appearance. Social media responses reflect enthusiasm for a fresh kind of DWTS experience that still honors the core spirit of the show.
Viewers also expressed interest in seeing the cast perform outside the competitive environment, noting that the holiday special allows for a wider range of creative risks and heartwarming storytelling.
How to Watch the Special Across Platforms
The special airs live on ABC, but viewers have several alternative options depending on their household setup. Families using cable-free TV services that include ABC can watch the broadcast in real time. Those who prefer streaming will find the special on Disney+ during the same hour, providing convenient access without traditional network scheduling.
The next-day release on Hulu and Disney+ expands the special’s reach, allowing U.S. audiences to incorporate the show into busy holiday routines.
A New Annual Tradition Takes Shape
The introduction of this holiday event suggests a wider vision for the future of the franchise. If audience response meets expectations, ABC could position this special as a recurring December tradition. The format provides a way to showcase the show’s most recognizable elements—its dancers, hosts, staging and musical partnerships—while appealing to families who enjoy festive programming at this time of year.
The dwts holiday special 2025 stands as a promising new chapter for the franchise, offering a warm, visually rich and entertaining hour built for the holiday season. With the combination of professional skill, celebrated hosts and a beloved musical guest, the inaugural edition sets the stage for future celebrations that could become a staple of December television.