For dedicated fans and new viewers alike, the most critical question about America's favorite celebrity dance competition is always: When does the ballroom come alive? As of the current date, December 13, 2025, the most recent season, *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) Season 34, has concluded its run, but its established schedule provides the definitive answer for the show's current and future air time. The beloved competition series has firmly planted its sequined shoes on one specific night of the week, moving away from its traditional Monday slot in recent years to secure a new home.
The latest installment of *Dancing with the Stars* airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT). This two-hour live broadcast is simulcast across two major platforms, making it more accessible than ever before: it airs on the ABC Television Network and streams live on Disney+. This dual-platform strategy is a key development for the franchise, ensuring viewers can tune in regardless of their preferred viewing method.
Dancing with the Stars Season 34: Hosts, Judges, and Key Entities
The success of *Dancing with the Stars* hinges on its charismatic personalities, both on the judging panel and on the dance floor. Season 34, which premiered in September 2025, maintained a core group of familiar faces while introducing a fresh batch of celebrity dancers. The show’s structure relies on a blend of expert critique, enthusiastic hosting, and the raw talent of its professional dancers.
The Judging Panel: The Trio of Critique
The judges are the heart of the competition, providing scores and commentary that determine which couples move forward. The Season 34 panel featured a returning trio of ballroom experts, known for their distinct styles of feedback:
- Carrie Ann Inaba: The resident judge known for focusing on the emotional content and technical execution of the performance, particularly lifts and illegal moves.
- Derek Hough: A six-time mirrorball champion and Emmy-winning choreographer, he provides insightful, technical feedback from a professional dancer's perspective.
- Bruno Tonioli: The flamboyant and energetic judge, famous for his dramatic and often colorful descriptions of the dances.
The Hosts: Guiding the Glitter and Glamour
For Season 34, the hosting duties were once again shared by a dynamic duo:
- Alfonso Ribeiro: The Season 19 champion who brings a dancer's understanding and a warm, engaging presence to the ballroom.
- Julianne Hough: A two-time professional champion and former judge, Julianne Hough returned to the ballroom as co-host, offering a seamless blend of experience and charm.
Notable Celebrity and Pro Dancer Pairings (Entities)
The competition is defined by the celebrities who dare to step out of their comfort zone and the professional dancers who guide them. Season 34 featured an exciting mix of stars, including:
- Robert Irwin (Wildlife Conservationist)
- Alix Earle (Social Media Personality)
- Danielle Fishel (Actress, *Boy Meets World*)
- Dylan Efron (Filmmaker)
- Elaine Hendrix (Actress, *The Parent Trap*)
- The Game (Rapper)
These celebrities were paired with fan-favorite professional dancers, such as Val Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Alan Bersten, Daniella Karagach, Emma Slater, and Brandon Armstrong, among many others, creating the intense, week-to-week drama that fans love.
The Essential DWTS Viewing Guide: Where and How to Watch
Understanding the *DWTS* schedule is crucial, but knowing exactly *where* and *how* to watch the show live is the key to participating in the excitement, especially if you plan to vote. The show's recent move to a dual-platform broadcast has changed the viewing landscape, offering flexibility to fans across the country.
Streaming vs. Broadcast: The Dual Home of DWTS
The most recent seasons of *Dancing with the Stars* have solidified its air time on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT with two primary viewing options:
- ABC Network: The traditional home of the show, available on local ABC affiliates across the country. Watching live on ABC is the classic viewing experience.
- Disney+: The show is live-streamed simultaneously on the Disney+ platform. This marks a major shift, as it allows subscribers to watch the competition live without a cable subscription, a significant benefit for cord-cutters.
For those who miss the live broadcast, episodes are typically available for on-demand streaming on Disney+ shortly after they air, giving fans a chance to catch up on the latest Jive, Foxtrot, or Paso Doble performances.
The Power of the Fan Vote: How to Participate
A huge part of the show's appeal is the fan involvement through voting. Since the program is a live competition, the voting window is extremely tight—usually only open during the East and Central time zone broadcasts. If you want your favorite celebrity and professional dancer pairing to advance, you must vote during the live show on Tuesday night.
There are two official methods for casting your votes:
- Online Voting: Fans can cast their votes on the official ABC website at dwtsvote.abc.com. You must have an ABC account to log in and submit your choices.
- SMS Text Voting: Viewers can also vote by sending a text message with the celebrity's name to the number 21523. Each successful text counts as one vote.
Each viewer is typically allowed a maximum number of votes per voting method (e.g., 10 online votes and 10 SMS votes per couple), giving the audience a powerful say in who is eliminated each week.
Looking Ahead: DWTS Season 35 and The Live Tour
While the Mirrorball Trophy for Season 34 has been awarded, the world of *Dancing with the Stars* never truly stops spinning. The show maintains its topical authority by engaging fans year-round through a national tour and anticipation for the next season.
Anticipating the Season 35 Premiere
Following the typical production schedule of the franchise, the next installment, Season 35 of *Dancing with the Stars*, is highly anticipated to return in the fall. Although an official premiere date has not been confirmed by ABC or Disney+, industry patterns suggest the show will likely kick off in mid-September 2026. It is widely expected that the show will maintain its successful formula, continuing to air on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Fans are already buzzing about which celebrities will join the cast and whether hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will return to the ballroom.
The Dancing with the Stars: Live! Tour
For a chance to see the professional dancers and some fan-favorite celebrities up close and personal, the annual DWTS: Live! Tour is a must-see event. The 2026 tour, titled "Dancing with the Stars: Live!", is scheduled to begin its national run on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Akron, Ohio, and will continue for nearly five months, concluding in May 2026.
The tour features a rotating cast of professional dancers, including many familiar faces from the TV show, and often includes appearances by recent celebrity contestants. This gives fans a chance to experience the spectacular choreography and dazzling costumes of the show in a live theatre setting, confirming the show's enduring appeal beyond the television screen.
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