Dancing with the Stars' holiday special premiered on December 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, transforming the entire program into a glittery Christmas card with a lot more sequins. If you missed the live broadcast, it was made available on Hulu the next day.Normally, Dancing with the Stars revolves around celebrities doing their best not to trip as professionals coach them through weekly routines graded on skill and fan voting. But the holiday special ditched the whole competition vibe. Instead, it gave the pros the spotlight for once, letting them dance without worrying about whether America thought they pointed their toes enough.Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro kicked things off with a performance to Kylie Minogue’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which definitely set the “we’re going all in” tone. From there, the episode rolled out group numbers, behind-the-scenes bits, and even a sweet family appearance that doubled as a TV debut.The pros, including Emma Slater, Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Witney Carson, Ezra Sosa, and a bunch more, spent the night showing off what they can do when they’re not babysitting celebrities on the dance floor. The whole thing felt like a festive talent show, just with better lighting and zero school gym floors.Dancing with the Stars: What happened during the highlights of the holiday episode? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe most unexpected moment came on Dancing with the Stars when Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson performed with their son, Rome. The young child made his first television appearance during the couple's routine. The family danced to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Atwater Men's Club featuring Ari Hest. Rome participated alongside his parents in what became an emotional highlight of the evening.Emma Slater and Peta Murgatroyd, Rome's aunt, watched from the sidelines. Both cheered enthusiastically, celebrating the family milestone as Rome navigated his debut performance. The segment mixed pro-level dancing with a little bit of heart, giving viewers a peek at the dancers’ lives outside the usual “please don’t get eliminated” chaos. It felt less like a competition and more like hanging out with people who just happen to be extremely good at spinning.Emma Slater kicked things off with a group routine to “All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The song is as goofy as the choreography was energetic. And because DWTS loves a good reunion, Emma’s past partners, Reginald VelJohnson (Season 33) and Andy Richter (Season 34), popped in for surprise appearances, like your favorite uncles showing up at Christmas dinner.The troupe, Hailey, Onye, Carter, and Jaxon, got their own spotlight with “Like It’s Christmas” by the Jonas Brothers. It was one of those routines that remind you the troupe is secretly stacked with dancers who could absolutely steal the show on Dancing with the Stars if they wanted to. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostAnother big highlight was a multi-pro performance set to Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” featuring Ezra Sosa, Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Rylee Arnold, Brandon Armstrong, Pasha Pashkov, and Jan Ravnik. It basically turned into a “spot your favorite pro before the camera cuts again” moment, with everyone showing off like they were auditioning for Santa’s elite dance squad. The special incorporated lighter segments between dance numbers. A video featured professional dancers answering questions about each other, revealing personality dynamics and friendships formed through years of working together.Jen Affleck provided backstage access through a conversation with dance pro Jan Ravnik. The segment showed preparation areas and candid moments typically hidden from audiences during regular broadcasts. The Dancing with the Stars episode concluded by highlighting Scott Hoying's Season 34 journey. The Pentatonix singer competed alongside Rylee Arnold, and their partnership received recognition during the holiday special's final segment.Derek Hough reflects on the celebrationJudge Derek Hough shared his enthusiasm about the Dancing with the Stars special in a statement. He described the episode as magical and noted his personal connection to both holidays and Disney."What fans can expect from the wonderful world of Disney holiday spectacular is of course a magical and jam-packed show filled with music and dancing," Hough said. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHe called bringing these elements together "a dream come true." ABC's promotional statement emphasized the festive atmosphere, describing how "the ballroom comes alive with holiday magic" through themed routines, musical performances, and seasonal greetings.The holiday special on Dancing with the Stars offered a departure from standard competition format while maintaining the technical excellence and entertainment value viewers expect. By centering professional dancers rather than celebrity contestants, the episode provided a different perspective on the talent that drives the show throughout regular seasons.Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams live on Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu the next day.