The Dancing With the Stars ballroom traded competition scores for holiday cheer with its first-ever festive special. Titled Dancing With the Holidays, the one-hour event aired on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, on ABC and Disney+. For fans missing their weekly dance fix just one week after Robert Irwin won Season 34, the special offered a joyful change of pace, featuring the professional dancers in holiday-themed routines without any judges or eliminations. Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned to guide the festivities, which included surprise guest appearances and a special performance by the a cappella group Pentatonix.
How To Watch The Holiday Special Now
The special episode Dancing With the Holidays first aired live on Tuesday, December 2, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. For those who missed the live broadcast, the full episode is now available to stream on demand.
You can watch it on Hulu, where it became available on Wednesday, December 3. The special is also expected to remain available for streaming on Disney+. For viewers without a traditional cable subscription, several live TV streaming services that carry ABC also offered access, including DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Sling TV.
Top Highlights And Memorable Performances
The special was packed with group dances, emotional family moments, and fun surprises. Unlike a regular competition episode, the focus was entirely on celebration and showcase.
A Family Dance Debut
One of the most talked-about moments featured pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson performing with their young son, Rome. The routine, set to “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” marked the child’s first television appearance. The couple danced playfully around and with Rome, offering viewers a sweet peek into their family life away from the competition stress.
Surprise Returns From Fan-Favorite Stars
The special featured fun cameos from past contestants. Professional dancer Emma Slater performed a playful routine to “All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth).” She was joined by two of her former celebrity partners: Andy Richter from Season 34 and Reginald VelJohnson from Season 33. In a humorous touch, the two men were dressed as the “two front teeth” mentioned in the song’s title.
A Meaningful Hanukkah Celebration
Professional dancer Alan Bersten choreographed and performed a special dance for Hanukkah. In a pre-recorded segment, Bersten shared that he wanted to create the number because he felt Jewish holidays were often underrepresented in mainstream holiday television. He performed the routine to “Miracle” by Matisyahu alongside several fellow pros.
Standout Choreography From Mark Ballas
Renowned choreographer and former pro Mark Ballas returned to create a unique performance for the special. He choreographed a contemporary dance to “We Three Kings,” performed by Julianne Hough, Jenna Johnson, and Daniella Karagach. Ballas and his wife, BC Jean, also provided the vocals for the song used in the performance.
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Festive Group Numbers And Musical Appearances
The hour was filled with energetic group performances from the show’s talented troupe and professionals. A large group of pros, including Witney Carson, Ezra Sosa, and Val Chmerkovskiy, delivered a high-energy routine to Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree”. The opening number set the festive tone, with the hosts and pros dancing to Kylie Minogue’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.
The special also included a performance by the Grammy-winning group Pentatonix, whose member Scott Hoying was a contestant on Season 34. They sang “Holly Jolly Christmas,” accompanied by dancers from the show. Other segments showed the pros visiting fans on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica and spreading cheer at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
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