It all comes down to this. After weeks of sequins, sambas, and suspiciously enthusiastic studio audiences, Dancing with the Stars Season 33 reaches its grand finale on Tuesday, November 26. Five couples remain, each hoping to waltz away with the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. But let’s be real, only one pair can claim victory.
The three-hour extravaganza, airing simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, will feature the traditional two-dance format. First up, the “redemption dances,” chosen by the judges in a move surely designed to highlight previous missteps. Will these second chances redeem past performances, or simply serve as painful reminders of what could have been? Then comes the freestyle round, where anything goes (within reason, this is still network TV). Expect a flurry of props, elaborate costumes, and enough dramatic lifts to make a chiropractor wince.
Beyond the competition, the finale promises enough glitz and glamour to satisfy even the most demanding sparkle enthusiast. The festivities kick off with an opening number set to Madonna’s “Holiday,” because who doesn’t love a nostalgic trip back to the ’80s? The DWTS LIVE 2025 Tour pros will get their moment in the spotlight with a routine to Troye Sivan’s “Rush.” Mark Ballas and Derek Hough team up for a tango to Tango Bardo’s “Libertango” – a pairing that either sparks joy or induces eye-rolls, depending on your level of Hough tolerance. And returning champions Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy will remind us of their winning moves with a performance set to Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”
So, who are the contenders vying for ballroom supremacy? We’ve got Danny Amendola and Witney Carson hoping their tango and freestyle (a curious blend of “Pink” and “I’m Just Ken”) will resonate with voters. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson are bringing the heat with a “Canned Heat” freestyle and a Cha Cha redemption dance. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong offer a “Hellzapoppin’”/”Move On Up” freestyle mashup and a Jive redemption, while Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten are banking on a “Femininomenon” freestyle and another Jive redemption. Finally, Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold offer a Quickstep redemption and a “Viva La Vida” freestyle. This finale is anyone’s game.
For those inclined to influence the outcome, voting is open during the live simulcast for ET/CT time zones via dwtsvote.abc.com and SMS/text for select U.S. carriers. Online voting is open to all in the U.S., territories, and Canada (sorry, Canada, no SMS voting for you). Tune in to see who triumphs, who trips, and who manages to keep a straight face through the inevitable barrage of emotional backstories.
Don’t forget to tune in to the Dancing with the Stars Season 33 finale on Tuesday, November 26 on ABC and Disney+.
