Release Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 8 p.m./9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Runtime: 1 hour
Network: ABC
Dancing with the Holidays is a brand-new holiday special, inspired by the popular dancing competition Dancing with the Stars.
The one-hour festive special will celebrate the season, as the iconic show’s professional dancers will perform festive dance routines to delight and entertain audiences across the United States.
The iconic ballroom will be transformed into a holiday wonderland that will have viewers at home on their feet.
Audiences can expect plenty of Christmas songs, mesmerizing performances, and special holiday greetings from many famous faces.
It is thought that Dancing with the Holidays will become an annual tradition on ABC, forming part of its staple holiday programming.
If you cannot wait to sit back with your loved ones to watch it, switch your channel to ABC at 8 p.m./9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
It will air a week after a new Mirrorball champion is crowned for season 34 of Dancing with the Stars.
The Hosts
As Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough currently host Dancing with the Stars, it is likely the much-loved duo will present Dancing with the Holidays this December, and may even perform.
While ABC hasn’t officially announced them as hosts, they are likely a natural choice for the upcoming one-hour festive special this December.
After all, they have hosted Dancing with the Stars together since September 2023 and have proved a huge hit with audiences across the United States. However, you will need to keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement from ABC.
The Professional Dancers
Many professional dancers from Dancing with the Stars are expected to perform in Dancing with the Holidays on December 2, including:
- Witney Carson
- Pasha Pashkov
- Jenna Johnson
- Mark Ballas
- Daniella Karagach
- Val Chmerkovskiy
- Emma Slate
- Rylee Arnold
- Britt Stewart
- Ezra Sosa
- Brandon Armstrong
- Alen Bersten
The Judges
While Dancing with the Holidays is a non-competitive festive special, the Dancing with the Stars judges are expected to make an appearance.
As Derek Hough is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, he is likely to be involved in the dance routines or performances.
After all, the show might take inspiration from his recent tour, Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays, which featured many festive and uplifting performances.
If the judges don’t perform on the show, they are likely to make an appearance or provide audiences with a seasonal greeting.
Of course, the above is mere speculation, and you will need to wait until Dancing with the Holidays airs on ABC on December 2, 2025. You will not want to miss a single performance!
The Celebrity Guests
Various celebrity guests are expected to appear in Dancing with the Holidays, providing the new festival special an extra layer of fun, surprises, and entertainment.
While ABC hasn’t confirmed what famous faces will feature in the one-hour episode, many popular artists are expected to perform various festive-themed holiday songs, which the professional dancers will most likely dance to in the famous ballroom.
In addition to superb musical performances, Dancing with the Holidays may feature appearances from past celebrity contestants and winners. The current and former contestants may perform, make an appearance, or share a holiday message on the show.
The Ballroom
Dancing with the Holidays will be held at a ballroom at Television City Studios in Los Angeles, California, which was custom-built for Dancing with the Stars.
The iconic backdrop will be transformed into a stunning festive wonderland, featuring beautiful Christmas décor that will transform the set and complement the holiday-inspired dance routines.