So, you’re looking for the big date. It’s that time of year when the sequins are glued on a little tighter and the spray tans are layered just a bit thicker. Everyone wants to know the same thing: when is the Dancing with the Stars finale? If you’ve been following the 2025 season, you already know things have been wild.
The Dancing with the Stars season 34 finale officially aired on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. It was a massive, three-hour event that basically took over Tuesday night TV.
If you missed it, or if you're just looking for the next one, here’s the deal. The show usually follows a very specific rhythm. It kicks off in mid-September and wraps up right before the Thanksgiving turkey hits the table. For season 34, they stuck to that script perfectly. The finale started at 8:00 p.m. ET and ran all the way until 11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
What Went Down in the Season 34 Finale?
Honestly, this finale was one for the books. We had five couples left standing—or dancing, rather. It wasn't just a quick "one dance and you're done" kind of night. Each couple had to tackle three different routines.
First, there was the Judges’ Choice. This is where Carrie Ann, Derek, and Bruno pick a style the couple struggled with earlier in the season and force them to do it again, but better. Then came the Instant Dance. This part is stressful just to watch. They get the song and the style, but they only have a few minutes to polish it before the cameras go live.
And then, the big one. The Freestyle.
This is the moment where all the rules go out the window. No requirements, no specific steps—just pure vibes and massive production value. This year, the freestyles were particularly high-stakes because the voting was closer than anyone expected.
Who Walked Away with the Mirrorball?
If you haven't heard the results yet, look away now. Seriously.
The winners of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy for season 34 were Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. It was a huge moment. Robert followed in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi Irwin, who won the show years ago. He was up against some stiff competition, specifically social media powerhouse Alix Earle, who finished in second place.
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The rest of the leaderboard looked like this:
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa took third.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach landed in fourth.
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten finished fifth.
The voting this year was actually record-breaking. Alfonso Ribeiro mentioned during the broadcast that they had over 72 million votes cast during the finale alone. That’s a lot of people refreshing their apps at the same time.
Where Can You Watch the Replay?
If you’re trying to catch up now, you’ve got options. While the live broadcast on ABC and Disney+ is over, the full three-hour finale is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Usually, these episodes stay up for the entire off-season, so you can go back and re-watch Robert’s freestyle if you really want to see how he pulled off those lifts. It’s also worth watching just for the 20th-anniversary tributes. They brought back a ton of old pros and past winners, which honestly felt like a giant high school reunion but with much better outfits.
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Looking Ahead: When Is the 2026 Finale?
While ABC hasn't officially dropped the calendar for season 35, we can make a pretty educated guess based on how this show has operated for two decades.
- Premiere Date: Likely mid-September 2026.
- Finale Date: Almost certainly Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
They love that Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It’s become a tradition. The show will likely continue to simulcast on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Why the Tuesday Move Stuck
For a long time, the show was a Monday night staple. But with Monday Night Football being such a powerhouse, the move to Tuesday has actually helped the ratings. It gives the show its own space to breathe without competing with the NFL. Plus, the live voting window works a bit better for West Coast viewers when it's tucked into the Tuesday slot.
Actionable Tips for the Next Season
If you're planning on being a hardcore viewer for the next round, keep these things in mind:
- Download the ABC App Early: Don't wait until the finale to figure out how to vote. The window is short—usually opening at the start of the show and closing right after the last dance.
- Watch Live on Disney+: If you don't have cable, the Disney+ live stream is the way to go. You get the same experience as the broadcast without the fuzzy antenna reception.
- Follow the Pros on Social: If you want the "real" behind-the-scenes drama, follow people like Witney Carson or Alan Bersten on TikTok. They often post the rehearsal footage that never makes it to the actual show.
The 2025 season really raised the bar for what the production can do. Between the 20th-anniversary nostalgia and the high-energy casting, the finale felt like a true event. Now, we just have to wait for the next cast announcement to start the cycle all over again.