Fans of Dancing with the Stars received an early holiday gift with the show’s first-ever seasonal special. Dancing with the Holidays brought the professional dancers back to the ballroom on Tuesday, December 2, just one week after the Season 34 finale crowned a champion. The hour-long event, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, mixed new festive routines with nostalgic clips and surprise guests. While some viewers wished for more fresh content, many were won over by charming family moments and fun reunions.
How to Watch the Holiday Special Again
The Dancing with the Holidays special aired on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET and PT. For those who missed the initial broadcast, the special is available to stream on demand. It arrived on Hulu the day after it aired, on Wednesday, December 3. Viewers can also check streaming services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Sling, which carry ABC and may offer the episode in their on-demand libraries.
A Ballroom Filled with Returning Favorites
The special featured a large roster of the show’s professional dancers and troupe members. Key performers from Season 34 were present, including champion Witney Carson, finalist Val Chmerkovskiy, and Ezra Sosa. Other popular pros like Alan Bersten, Rylee Arnold, Emma Slater, and Pasha Pashkov also returned to the floor.
The show welcomed back several former celebrity contestants for special appearances. Fans saw Reginald VelJohnson from Season 33 and Andy Richter from Season 34. The a cappella group Pentatonix, which includes recent contestant Scott Hoying, gave a musical performance. A special returning guest was former professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Heartwarming Family Moment Steals the Show
One of the most talked-about segments featured married pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson dancing with a very special guest: their young son, Rome. The couple performed to “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” while their son sat quietly on a couch on stage, enjoying a lollipop.
The moment sparked a flood of positive reactions from viewers online. Fans shared their delight on social media, with many calling the scene incredibly sweet.
One fan wrote, “Stopppp Rome in the ballroom, I’m gonna cry,” while another simply said, “Rome stealing the show.”
Other comments expressed amazement at the toddler’s good behavior during the number. The appearance was a standout example of the special’s focus on holiday warmth and family.
Fan-Favorite Reunion Brings Smiles
Another highlight was a playful routine featuring pro Emma Slater reuniting with two of her former celebrity partners, Andy Richter and Reginald VelJohnson. The trio performed a fun dance to “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,” with Richter and VelJohnson humorously dressed in tooth costumes.
The dance was met with enthusiastic praise from fans who loved seeing the friendships between the dancer and her former partners. The official Dancing with the Stars Instagram account posted about the routine, calling it “adorable”.
Fans online agreed, with comments like, “THIS WAS SO ADORABLE 🩷🥹 Emma’s friendships with Reggie and Andy are the sweetest thing omg,” and “This was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
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Viewer Reactions: A Mix of Cheer and Critique
Reaction to the special was divided. While many enjoyed the festive spirit and specific dances, a significant number of viewers expressed disappointment with the overall structure. Common criticisms focused on the special’s reliance on flashback clips from older seasons and a perception that some of the new routines felt rushed.
On discussion forums, viewers shared that they had hoped for more completely new content. Some felt the special was assembled too quickly after the main season ended, possibly limiting rehearsal time for the professionals.
Despite these critiques, the special succeeded in delivering holiday-themed entertainment and memorable moments that resonated with a large part of the audience. The charming appearances by the dancers’ families and the return of beloved contestants provided the heartwarming feel many fans tune in for.
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