The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to deck the halls and cherish moments with our dear ones. For some, this means gathering with friends, while for others, it’s about family. This year, my festive spirit was shared with the talented pros and troupe members of Dancing With the Stars, as I sat down to enjoy Dancing With the Holidays, ABC’s ode to all things joyful and bright.

This inaugural holiday special, now available on Hulu and Disney+, sees the beloved pros teaming up with DWTS hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. Together, they deliver a delightful dose of holiday cheer to viewers, just a week after the conclusion of Season 34. Although the freshly minted Mirrorball Trophy winner, Robert Irwin, doesn’t appear in the special alongside his partner Witney Carson, the absence is made up for by the presence of other Season 34 contestants who drop by for some festive fun.

The special is a celebration filled with holiday spirit, featuring a live performance by Scott Hoying and the renowned group Pentatonix. Emma Slater graces the stage with not one, but two of her former celebrity partners, alongside a slew of holiday-themed dance numbers. This enchanting production offers a sprinkle of magic for every family member. However, for an ardent DWTS fan like myself, certain moments shone particularly brightly.

Before we dive into the details, be warned: spoilers lie ahead! For those undeterred, let’s delve into our top five highlights from the Dancing With the Holidays special…

Andy Richter and Reginald VelJohnson dancing with Emma Slater to “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth“

No discussion of this spectacular would be complete without highlighting Emma Slater’s charming performance alongside Andy Richter, the beloved “people’s princess” of Season 34, and her Season 33 partner, Reginald VelJohnson. In a whimsical twist, they are dressed as the “two front teeth” Emma whimsically wishes for from Santa. The routine is a delightful blend of humor and warmth, showcasing Emma’s exceptional coaching talent and patience as a seasoned professional.

Alan Bersten’s Hanukkah-Themed Dance

While Emma danced with her own former partners, her boyfriend, Alan Bersten, channeled his own personal touch into a dance he choreographed celebrating Hanukkah. In a very DWTS-style package, Alan opened up about feeling underrepresented as a Jew growing up and wanting to tell the story of this holiday through the power of movement. He even recruited some of his fellow pros for a dance that is as entertaining as it is transformational.

The DWTS Pros Getting Fiesty By Handing Out Holiday Superlatives

Every minute of this holiday special has something to love, don’t get me wrong. But when it comes to moments that feel like food for the fans, there is no better segment than the pros handing out their superlatives. Watching Val Chmerkovskiy say that all of the pros are equally likely to take the “Most Likely to Post a Thirst Trap in Front of a Tree” title or hearing Brandon Armstrong say that he definitely isn’t the “Most Likely to Bring Their Mirrorball Trophy to a Holiday Party” because he doesn’t have one is true TV gold.

Mark Ballas’ Hauntingly Beautiful Dance to “We Three Kings”

If there is one thing that Mark Ballas is going to do, it is eat down with choreography. If and when ABC decides to create a Dancing With the Stars hall of fame someday, you would be hard-pressed to find a fan who doesn’t have him at the top of the inductees list. In this special, his choreography skills shine once again as he puts together a dance for Julianne, Daniella Karagach, and Jenna Johnson, who perform a haunting contemporary to “We Three Kings.” Not only does he incorporate props to tell the tale of the song, he also sings the version the show uses alongside his wife and bandmate, BC Jean. Truly unforgettable.

The Pros Surprising Fans While Undercover on 3rd Street Promenade

Last but not least, who would ever be able to forget a surprise from Alan, Emma, Britt Stewart, and Brandon, as they went down to Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade to surprise fans. Before unmasking themselves, they asked passerbys to show off their own dance moves, which ranged from slight wiggles to full-blown flips. Before revealing themselves, they performed a little dance number and then handed out gifts in what is surely a memorable day for all those in attendance. Wish they had told me ahead of time!

The Dancing with the Holidays special is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

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