✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa.
A new season, a familiar sparkle
After a fantastic Season 33 that saw The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei quickstep his way to the Mirrorball Trophy, the bar is set high for Dancing with the Stars. That win felt like a return to form, proving that charm and genuine progress make a good combo. Now, as we turn our attention to Season 34, the ballroom is buzzing with a unique mix of legacy, modern celebrity, and a few format twists to keep us on our toes.
This season, the action will be broadcast live on ABC and simulcast on Disney+, giving fans more ways to watch than ever. As a longtime viewer, I’m here to break down the entire TV schedule, the new cast, and my recommendation for the best ways to catch every single episode.
DWTS Season 34 schedule and key dates
First, it’s time to mark your calendars. Dancing with the Stars Season 34 premiered on September 16, 2025, with all remaining episodes airing every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET through November 25.
This season maintains the high stakes we’ve come to expect, especially with double eliminations popping up here and there. That’s always a bold move that tells me the pressure is on from night one—no one is safe. The show has also released the full slate of theme nights right out of the gate, so we can all get our costumes (or at least our viewing party snacks) ready well in advance. I’m especially looking forward to Wicked Night!
Here’s the complete episode schedule for Dancing with the Stars Season 34.
| Episode # | Theme | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premiere | Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 2 | One-Hit Wonders Night | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 3 | TikTok Night | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 4 | Disney Night | Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 5 | Dedication Night | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 6 | Wicked Night | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 7 | Halloween Night | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 8 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 9 | 20th Birthday Party | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 10 | Prince Night (Semi-Finals) | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
| 11 | Finale | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, Disney+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Meet the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 cast
While the celebrity roster always generates hype, the foundation of DWTS is its incredible hosts, judges, and professional dancers. This season sees a welcome consistency on the judging panel and a major, exciting shake-up in the pro-dancer lineup.
Hosts and judges
Our charismatic duo, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, are back to lead the show. At the judges’ table, the trifecta of expertise and entertainment returns with Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and the king of choreography himself, Derek Hough. Their chemistry is a huge part of the show’s enduring appeal, and I’m glad the panel remains unchanged.
Mark Ballas is getting back into his groove on Dancing With the Stars — and he's not scared of facing BFF Derek Hough as a judge. https://t.co/2bWBQzyIqn
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) September 17, 2025
Professional dancers
Here’s where the big news comes in. This season, the ballroom welcomes back one of its veterans: Mark Ballas. After winning Season 31, Ballas called time on his DWTS career. That came after a previous five-year hiatus. So, is he back for good? Probably not. But I’m excited to see what he brings to the floor this season.
Ballas joins a stacked roster of returning pros: Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, Ezra Sosa, Gleb Savchenko, Pasha Pashkov, Rylee Arnold, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, and reigning champ Jenna Johnson. The Eras Tour viral sensation Jan Ravnik also joins the show as a first-year pro.
The new cast of #DWTS has all the right moves. 🤩 Join in for the season premiere, live Tuesday, September 16 at 8/7c on @ABCNetwork and @DisneyPlus! Next day on @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/yH4rFJNfA6
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) September 3, 2025
Celebrity contestants
As for the celebrities, the cast feels designed to create headlines. My eyes are immediately drawn to wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, brother of Season 21 champion Bindi Irwin. His pairing with Witney Carson has “potential champion” written all over it. And if you follow him on social media like I do, you know he brings his A-game to everything he does.
The show is also tapping into the zeitgeist with social media star Alix Earle and unfiltered favorites from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW), which will undoubtedly spark zesty conversations online. Here’s the entire celebrity list below, highlighting why they’re famous, for the uninitiated.
- Baron Davis (NBA star)
- Corey Feldman (actor/80s icon)
- Jen Affleck (SLOMW star)
- Hilaria Baldwin (entrepreneur)
- Jordan Chiles (Olympic gymnast)
- Alix Earle (social media personality)
- Dylan Efron (TV personality)
- Danielle Fishel (actress/”Topanga!”)
- Elaine Hendrix (actress)
- Scott Hoying (Pentatonix singer)
- Robert Irwin (conservationist)
- Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony singer)
- Whitney Leavitt (SLOMW star)
- Andy Richter (actor/comedian)
Pro tip: Since Dancing with the Stars airs live on Disney+ and drops on Hulu the next day, the Disney Bundle is easily your best viewing option. You can watch live on Tuesday and then rewatch your favorite routines on Hulu all week.
It’s a great value, too. In our latest Customer Satisfaction Survey, Disney+ landed in the middle of the pack for overall performance. But viewers gave its library of original content strong marks, making it a valuable subscription long after the final Mirrorball Trophy is awarded.
Dancing with the Stars FAQ
What’s the best way to stream Dancing with the Stars without cable?
The most direct way to stream DWTS without cable is with a Disney+ subscription. For $9.99–$15.99/mo., you get access to the live simulcast and tons of other content. Otherwise, you can subscribe to a live TV streaming service that carries ABC, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Fubo.
When can I watch Dancing with the Stars on Hulu?
If you miss the live show, new episodes of Dancing with the Stars stream on Hulu the following day. Episodes typically drop on Wednesday mornings, so you can catch up before the next week’s competition.
How can I vote for my favorite couple on DWTS?
DWTS voting takes place live during the broadcast on Tuesday nights. You can vote online at dwtsvote.abc.com or by texting a specific keyword for your favorite couple to a designated number. Voting is only open during the live ET/CT broadcast window, so make sure you’re watching in real-time to support your faves.
