For viewers wondering is dancing with the stars on tonight, there is no new episode scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars is following its regular Tuesday-night schedule after its special two-night premiere, meaning fans will have to wait until Tuesday, October 6, for the next live competition episode. The upcoming show will feature a special Mariah Carey-themed night as the remaining celebrities continue their journey toward the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The schedule has already moved quickly this season. After opening with two premiere broadcasts on September 15 and September 16, the competition shifted into its regular weekly rhythm. Viral Hits Night followed on September 22, while Yacht Rock Night aired on September 29.
That makes September 30 an off-night for the ballroom competition, although fans can still catch up on recent performances before the contestants return next week.
Key Points Summary
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║ – There is no new Dancing With the Stars episode scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026. ║
║ – The latest episode aired Tuesday, September 29, with 13 couples competing during Yacht Rock Night. ║
║ – The next new episode is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at 8 p.m. ET. ║
║ – Mariah Carey Night will be the theme for the next episode as Season 35 continues. ║
║ – New episodes normally air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on demand afterward. ║
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Is Dancing With the Stars On Tonight?
No, there is not a new episode of Dancing With the Stars airing tonight, Wednesday, September 30.
The latest installment aired Tuesday evening, September 29, with the remaining couples taking part in Yacht Rock Night. The episode continued the early-season elimination process and gave the 13 remaining celebrity-professional teams another opportunity to impress the judges and viewers.
The show normally begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and runs for two hours. Following the unusual two-night premiere, the season has settled into a Tuesday schedule.
Therefore, viewers checking the ABC lineup on Wednesday should not expect another live competition episode tonight.
When Is the Next Dancing With the Stars Episode?
The next episode of Season 35 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
The episode will be known as Mariah Carey Night, putting the music of the superstar at the center of the ballroom competition.
Themed episodes have become an important part of the show’s format because they allow the celebrity contestants and professional dancers to build routines around a common musical or cultural concept. With the field becoming smaller, the remaining couples will have another chance to demonstrate improvements in technique, performance quality and overall stage presence.
The October 6 episode is expected to continue the elimination format, with judges’ scores and viewer participation helping determine which couples remain in contention.
What Happened During Yacht Rock Night?
The most recent episode transported the competition into the world of smooth soft rock with Yacht Rock Night.
Thirteen couples took to the ballroom floor for routines inspired by music associated with the yacht-rock era. The playlist included recognizable songs from artists such as Toto, Hall & Oates, Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers and others.
The musical theme allowed the professional dancers to use several different styles. Viewers saw routines including foxtrots, quicksteps, jives, a samba, salsa, cha-cha and paso doble.
Among the performances were Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy dancing a samba to Toto’s “Africa,” Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson performing a jive to Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams,” and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa taking on a salsa to “I Can’t Go for That.”
Other contestants performed routines to songs including “Hold the Line,” “Everywhere,” “Just the Two of Us,” “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” “Easy Lover,” “Turn Your Love Around,” “Maneater,” “What a Fool Believes” and “Still the One.”
The broad musical selection gave each pair a different challenge while maintaining the overall Yacht Rock theme.
Who Remains in the Competition?
Season 35 began with a larger field, but the number of contestants has already been reduced through the opening rounds.
Heading into Yacht Rock Night, the remaining couples included:
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov
- Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik
- Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess
The cast brings together actors, athletes, television personalities, musicians and other well-known figures. Their different backgrounds continue to shape the performances as contestants attempt to adapt to ballroom and Latin dance techniques.
Who Has Already Been Eliminated?
The elimination process began during the two-night premiere.
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated during the first night of the season. Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills then exited following the second premiere broadcast.
The next elimination came during Viral Hits Night, when Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten were sent home.
That means the competition has already experienced several departures despite being only a few weeks into the season.
For the remaining couples, the margin for error becomes increasingly important as the season progresses. A performance that receives lower judges’ scores can become more significant when combined with audience voting.
What Time Does Dancing With the Stars Air?
Regular Season 35 episodes air at:
8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT
The live broadcast is available through ABC, while Disney+ also carries the live simulcast.
The show’s two-hour format means viewers should generally plan to stay tuned until approximately 10 p.m. ET for the full episode, including the competition results.
Because the show is broadcast live, local ABC scheduling can occasionally differ because of regional programming or special events. Viewers watching through a local station should check their television listings if they are unsure about a particular night.
Where Can You Watch Dancing With the Stars?
There are several ways for viewers to follow Season 35.
ABC remains the show’s broadcast home, while Disney+ provides a live simulcast for subscribers. Episodes are also made available on demand after the live broadcast.
For viewers who cannot watch the Tuesday broadcast, the on-demand option provides an opportunity to catch up rather than missing an entire week of competition.
Hulu also receives episodes the following day, giving viewers another way to watch recent performances.
The availability of ABC through traditional television and live-TV streaming packages can vary depending on location and provider, so viewers should check their service before the next episode.
What Is Coming After Mariah Carey Night?
The Season 35 schedule extends through November, with several themed episodes planned before the semifinals and finale.
Following Mariah Carey Night on October 6, another episode is scheduled for October 13, although its theme has not yet been announced.
Dedication Night is then scheduled for October 20, followed by Horror Movie Night on October 27.
One notable schedule change arrives in early November. Disney Night is scheduled for Monday, November 2, rather than the show’s usual Tuesday slot.
After Disney Night, the competition returns to Tuesdays. Grammy Night is scheduled for November 10, followed by the semifinals on November 17.
The Season 35 finale is scheduled for November 24.
This means viewers have several weeks of competition ahead before the final couples compete for the Mirrorball Trophy.
Full Upcoming Schedule
| Episode | Theme | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Week 4 | Mariah Carey Night | October 6 |
| Week 5 | Theme to be announced | October 13 |
| Week 6 | Dedication Night | October 20 |
| Week 7 | Horror Movie Night | October 27 |
| Week 8 | Disney Night | November 2 |
| Week 9 | Grammy Night | November 10 |
| Week 10 | Semifinals | November 17 |
| Week 11 | Finale | November 24 |
Most of the remaining episodes are scheduled for Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with Disney Night serving as the major exception.
Why the Weekly Schedule Matters
The schedule is particularly important this season because the premiere format could create some confusion for viewers.
Season 35 began with two consecutive nights. The first premiere episode aired September 15, followed by a second premiere episode on September 16. After that, the show moved to its standard weekly Tuesday schedule.
That means fans should not assume that a Wednesday without an episode represents a delay or cancellation.
The same pattern is expected to continue throughout October. New episodes will generally arrive on Tuesdays, while the contestants will have the rest of the week to prepare their next routines.
The exception comes in November when Disney Night moves to Monday, November 2.
What Should Fans Watch for Next?
Mariah Carey Night will be the next major test for the remaining couples.
Themed episodes often place additional creative demands on the professional dancers because they have to develop routines that fit both the musical identity of the night and the technical requirements of the assigned dance.
At this stage of the competition, viewers can also expect the pressure to increase. With fewer couples remaining, every performance can have a larger effect on the overall standings and elimination picture.
The October episodes will also take the contestants closer to the final weeks of the season. Dedication Night and Horror Movie Night are followed by Disney Night, Grammy Night and the semifinals.
By the time the November finale arrives, only the strongest surviving couples will remain in the ballroom.
Dancing With the Stars Tonight: What to Know
For fans searching is dancing with the stars on tonight, Wednesday, September 30 is not a new competition night.
The latest episode was Yacht Rock Night on September 29, and the next live episode is scheduled for October 6 at 8 p.m. ET. That upcoming broadcast will put Mariah Carey’s music in the spotlight as the Season 35 competition continues.
Viewers who missed the latest episode can use the available on-demand streaming options to catch up before the next live broadcast.
The season is now moving through the stage where every performance matters more, with the number of couples steadily decreasing and the November finale getting closer.
With Mariah Carey Night next, followed by Dedication Night, Horror Movie Night, Disney Night and Grammy Night, the coming weeks promise a series of distinct themes before the semifinals and finale.
For anyone keeping track of the weekly schedule, the key takeaway is simple: there is no new episode tonight, but the ballroom returns Tuesday, October 6, at 8 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned for the next round of performances, eliminations and major Season 35 moments as the race for the Mirrorball Trophy continues.