Dedication Night DWTS 2026 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, bringing an emotional new chapter to Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. The upcoming episode will feature celebrities honoring important people and personal connections through specially selected songs and choreographed performances. Julia Stiles is preparing a tribute to her late co-star Heath Ledger, while other contestants will dedicate their routines to parents, siblings, spouses, and Ireland.
The broadcast is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on ABC and Disney+. The episode follows Super Bowl Night, which featured performances inspired by memorable football halftime shows and musical moments. Dedication Night shifts the focus toward individual stories, giving contestants an opportunity to connect their experiences with the music and movement they bring to the ballroom.
The announced lineup includes contemporary dances, quicksteps, foxtrots, Viennese waltzes, and a paso doble. Each performance offers a different combination of musical interpretation and storytelling. Although the contestants have announced their planned tributes, the final scores and competition results will remain unknown until the episode airs.
When Does DWTS Dedication Night 2026 Air?
ABC has scheduled Dedication Night for Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The episode is expected to begin at 8 p.m. ET/PT, continuing the program’s Tuesday-night broadcast schedule.
American viewers can watch the show on ABC or stream it live through Disney+. Local television listings can help viewers confirm the schedule in their area.
Here are the essential broadcast details:
- Air date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Start time: 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific
- Television network: ABC
- Streaming service: Disney+
- Program: Dancing with the Stars
- Season: 35
- Episode theme: Dedication Night
The episode is listed as Season 35, Episode 7 in the published schedule. Some entertainment reports count the competition weeks differently, so viewers may see it described as Week 6.
The scheduled date follows Super Bowl Night on October 13. The competition is set to continue with Horror Movie Night on October 27, giving the season a different atmosphere in the following episode.
Why Dedication Night Matters to the Competition
Dedication Night gives celebrities an opportunity to communicate personal stories through music and dance. Rather than building every routine around a musical genre or entertainment franchise, the episode centers on the people and experiences that matter to each contestant.
Some performances recognize family members who have provided support throughout a celebrity’s life. Others remember people who have died or celebrate a meaningful connection to a particular place.
This approach creates a different challenge for the contestants. They must deliver a technically sound dance while expressing the meaning behind their chosen song. Professional partners help turn those stories into choreography that fits the music and the celebrity’s abilities.
The episode also allows viewers to learn more about the contestants beyond their public careers. A carefully chosen song can provide context for a relationship, while the choreography can communicate feelings that ordinary interviews may not fully capture.
However, Dedication Night remains a competition. The judges still evaluate technique, timing, posture, musicality, and performance quality. Emotional storytelling can strengthen a routine, but it does not replace the technical requirements of the dance.
Julia Stiles Plans a Tribute to Heath Ledger
Julia Stiles is scheduled to honor Heath Ledger, her late co-star from the 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.
Stiles and professional dancer Ezra Sosa are preparing a contemporary performance to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The song’s romantic character connects naturally with the film’s enduring place in popular culture.
Stiles and Ledger starred together in the teen comedy, which became a recognizable title for audiences who grew up watching late-1990s movies. Their performances helped establish the film as a lasting favorite among fans of romantic comedies.
Ledger died on January 22, 2008, at age 28. His death was ruled an accidental prescription drug overdose.
The planned dedication provides Stiles with an opportunity to recognize a former colleague whose career continues to attract interest. It also brings a personal connection to a song that audiences may recognize immediately.
Contemporary dance offers flexibility in how the performers interpret the music. The choreography can combine expressive movements, changes in intensity, and carefully timed sequences to support the tribute.
The routine’s final presentation and judges’ scores will only become known after the live performance.
Complete DWTS Dedication Night 2026 Song and Dance Lineup
The announced lineup includes ten celebrity-professional pairings. Their selections range from classic songs to contemporary recordings, with each dedication connected to a particular person or place.
| Celebrity and professional partner | Planned dance | Song | Dedication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa | Contemporary | “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli | Heath Ledger |
| Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson | Foxtrot | “Stop This Train” by John Mayer | His wife, Shelby |
| Jackson Olson and Emma Slater | Quickstep | “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole | His mother, Laura |
| Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess | Contemporary | “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran | Mothers everywhere |
| Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy | Viennese waltz | “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers | Her mother, Nancy |
| Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold | Viennese waltz | “Piano Man” by Billy Joel | His father, Pete |
| Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach | Contemporary | “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia | His mother, Bahar |
| Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov | Contemporary | “Breathe Me” by Sia | Her sister, Brooke |
| Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas | Paso doble | “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys | Ireland |
| Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik | Viennese waltz | “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson | Not identified in the published lineup |
These are the announced performance plans, not completed results. Any changes to the song list, choreography, or contestant lineup should be confirmed through the latest show announcements.
Harry Shum Jr. Celebrates His Relationship With His Wife
Harry Shum Jr. and professional dancer Jenna Johnson are scheduled to perform a foxtrot to John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”
Shum is dedicating the routine to his wife, Shelby. The song’s reflective mood provides a musical foundation for a performance centered on a significant personal relationship.
The foxtrot relies on smooth traveling movements, precise timing, and a consistent connection between partners. Dancers must maintain control while moving naturally with the music.
For Shum and Johnson, the task involves balancing the emotional meaning of the dedication with the technical requirements of the style. Their routine will need to communicate the intended sentiment without losing the qualities that define the foxtrot.
The performance adds a relationship-focused tribute to an evening featuring several family dedications.
Jackson Olson Honors His Mother With a Quickstep
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater are scheduled to dance to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E,” dedicating their quickstep to Olson’s mother, Laura.
The song’s upbeat character provides a lively foundation for the routine. Unlike slower dances that rely on sustained movements, the quickstep requires fast footwork, energy, and carefully coordinated transitions.
Olson and Slater will need to maintain speed while preserving the light quality associated with the dance. Timing and precision will be especially important as they move through the choreography.
The dedication gives the routine a family-centered meaning, while the music creates an opportunity for an energetic performance.
Tyler Cameron Recognizes Mothers Everywhere
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess are preparing a contemporary routine to Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers.”
Cameron is dedicating the performance to mothers everywhere. The song explores family, love, and loss, giving the tribute an emotional foundation.
Contemporary dance allows performers to communicate through changes in movement, expressive gestures, and shifts in intensity. These elements can help connect the choreography with the meaning of the music.
Cameron and Burgess will need to interpret the song carefully while maintaining control and clarity throughout the routine.
The dedication has a broader focus than performances honoring a single family member. It recognizes the importance of mothers and the lasting influence they can have on people’s lives.
Jenna Dewan Prepares a Tribute to Her Mother
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy are scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers.
Dewan is dedicating the routine to her mother, Nancy. The song’s sweeping melody complements the dance’s continuous turns and flowing movement.
The Viennese waltz requires balance, timing, and a strong connection between partners. Maintaining smooth rotations throughout the routine can be challenging, particularly when dancers must also communicate an emotional story.
Dewan and Chmerkovskiy will have to combine those technical demands with the meaning behind the tribute. Their performance is one of several announced routines that celebrate parental relationships.
Connor Wood Honors His Father Through Music
Connor Wood and professional dancer Rylee Arnold are preparing a Viennese waltz to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.”
Wood is dedicating the performance to his father, Pete. The song’s narrative character gives the pair a recognizable musical foundation.
The dance requires consistent rhythm, controlled turns, and smooth movement across the floor. A successful routine must maintain these qualities from beginning to end.
Wood and Arnold will need to make the music work within the structure of the Viennese waltz while keeping the dedication central to the performance.
Their routine adds a father-focused tribute to an episode featuring several different family relationships.
Ezra Frech Pays Tribute to His Mother
Paralympic athlete Ezra Frech and professional dancer Daniella Karagach are scheduled to perform a contemporary routine to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia.
Frech is dedicating the performance to his mother, Bahar. His athletic background brings physical strength and performance experience to the competition, but the dance will require its own technical discipline.
Contemporary routines can combine grounded movements, extended lines, and changes in pace. The performers must use these elements to communicate the music’s emotional character.
Frech and Karagach will need to balance movement quality with storytelling. Their performance also adds another mother-focused dedication to the evening’s lineup.
Amber Glenn Dedicates Her Dance to Her Sister
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and professional dancer Pasha Pashkov are scheduled to perform a contemporary dance to Sia’s “Breathe Me.”
Glenn is honoring her sister, Brooke. The song’s reflective sound provides a setting for a routine centered on a close family relationship.
Contemporary dance offers opportunities to use pauses, expressive gestures, and changes in intensity. The performers can build a routine around these elements while responding to the song’s musical progression.
Glenn’s experience as a figure skater may help with performance timing and expressive presentation. Nevertheless, ballroom and contemporary dance require different skills, and the pair must meet the competition’s technical standards.
The dedication also introduces a sibling tribute into a lineup dominated by performances honoring parents and spouses.
Maura Higgins Celebrates Her Irish Roots
Maura Higgins and professional dancer Mark Ballas are scheduled to perform a paso doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys.
Higgins is dedicating the performance to Ireland, distinguishing her routine from those focused on individual family members.
The paso doble emphasizes dramatic posture, sharp movements, and strong musical accents. Its commanding character can suit a performance built around cultural identity and pride.
The song brings energetic Irish-American musical associations to the ballroom. Higgins and Ballas will need to maintain the dance’s precision while creating a clear connection between the choreography and the dedication.
Their routine adds variety to an evening that otherwise features several slower, more reflective musical selections.
Tatyana Ali’s Dedication Reveal
Tatyana Ali and professional dancer Jan Ravnik are scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am.”
The published performance lineup did not identify Ali’s honoree. A reveal was scheduled for October 15 at 9 a.m. Pacific time on the official Dancing with the Stars podcast, hosted by Andy Richter.
The song and dance style are included in the announced plans, but the identity of the person Ali intends to honor should not be assumed without confirmation.
The Viennese waltz offers the pair an opportunity to interpret a classic vocal performance through continuous turns and flowing movement. Once the dedication is confirmed, viewers will have more context for the routine.
How Dedication Night Could Influence the Results
Dedication Night combines personal storytelling with the technical demands of ballroom competition. Each couple must deliver a performance that connects with the audience while satisfying the judges’ expectations.
Several elements can influence how a routine is received:
- Dance technique: Posture, balance, timing, footwork, and control remain important.
- Musical interpretation: The dancers must respond to the song’s rhythm and emotional character.
- Choreography: Movement choices should suit the selected style and the celebrity’s abilities.
- Performance quality: Expressions and connection can help communicate the dedication.
- Viewer voting: Audience participation remains part of the competition.
A compelling personal story may make a routine memorable, but it does not guarantee a high score. Contestants must demonstrate that they can translate the dedication into effective dancing.
The episode follows Super Bowl Night, after which published recaps reported the elimination of Guillermo Rodriguez and professional partner Witney Carson. The remaining contestants now have another opportunity to demonstrate progress and strengthen their standing.
How to Watch DWTS Dedication Night in the United States
American viewers can watch the scheduled episode on ABC on Tuesday, October 20, at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time. Disney+ is also listed as a live viewing option.
Viewers should check their local schedules before the broadcast in case programming details change.
Watching live allows fans to follow the performances and judges’ comments as they happen. Viewers can also participate in the show’s voting process during the designated voting window.
After the episode, the final scores, eliminations, and performance outcomes can be reported once the broadcast confirms them.
Questions and Answers About DWTS Dedication Night 2026
When is Dedication Night on DWTS 2026?
The episode is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
What time does Dedication Night start?
The scheduled start time is 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on ABC.
Where can viewers watch the episode?
U.S. viewers can watch on ABC or stream the program live through Disney+.
Who is Julia Stiles honoring?
Julia Stiles is scheduled to dedicate her contemporary dance to her late co-star Heath Ledger.
What song will Julia Stiles perform to?
Stiles and Ezra Sosa are preparing a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
Who is Harry Shum Jr. honoring?
Shum is dedicating his foxtrot to his wife, Shelby. The planned song is John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”
Which contestants are honoring their mothers?
Jackson Olson, Jenna Dewan, and Ezra Frech are scheduled to honor their mothers. Tyler Cameron is dedicating his routine to mothers everywhere.
Who is Maura Higgins honoring?
Higgins is dedicating her paso doble to Ireland. She and Mark Ballas are scheduled to perform to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”
Has Tatyana Ali’s dedication been confirmed?
The published lineup scheduled a reveal for October 15 on the official show podcast. The latest confirmed announcement should be checked for the identity of her honoree.
Have the results been announced?
As of October 15, the October 20 episode has not aired. Final scores, eliminations, and results should not be treated as confirmed.
Final Thoughts
Dedication Night DWTS 2026 is scheduled to bring a personal dimension to the ballroom on October 20. The announced lineup combines family tributes, a remembrance of Heath Ledger, and a celebration of Ireland, with songs chosen to reflect each dedication.
The episode will give contestants another opportunity to demonstrate their dancing skills while sharing stories that matter to them. Viewers can look forward to a varied lineup of musical selections and dance styles, followed by the competition’s next set of scores and results.
Which celebrity dedication are you most interested in seeing? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the confirmed performances and results after the broadcast.