Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Themes Revealed
ABC has announced the upcoming theme nights for the long-running celebrity dance competition.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Celebrities
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ABC has unveiled the full slate of themes for season 35 of the hit competition series Dancing With the Stars. The announcement follows a dramatic season premiere that saw the early elimination of four contestants.
Why it matters
The reveal gives fans a preview of the creative challenges awaiting the 16 remaining celebrities competing for the mirrorball trophy. These themed weeks serve as a central component of the show's structure, forcing participants to adapt to diverse musical and cultural styles.
Season 35 features a roster of 16 celebrity contestants. The competition requires participants to perform for the show's signature mirrorball trophy.
The players
ABC
ABC is a major American commercial broadcast television network that serves as the official broadcaster for the Dancing With the Stars competition.
Andy Richter
Andy Richter is a well-known actor, comedian, and writer who officially announced the season 35 theme lineup.
Ciara Miller
Ciara Miller is one of the 16 celebrity contestants currently competing on season 35 of the program.
Maura Higgins
Maura Higgins is a celebrity contestant participating in the dance competition's 35th season.
Guillermo Rodriguez
Guillermo Rodriguez is a featured celebrity contestant competing for the mirrorball trophy this season.
The details
Comedian Andy Richter announced the lineup on the Official DWTS Podcast, confirming upcoming nights dedicated to Viral Hits, Yacht Rock, Mariah Carey, and Horror Movies. The premiere week previously required stars to perform to Billboard No. 1 hits from their respective birth years.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Andy Richter announced the season 35 themes.
Week 2: The Viral Hits theme night is scheduled to take place.
Week 3: The competition transitions to Yacht Rock theme night.
Week 4: The show hosts a special Mariah Carey theme night.
Week 7: The season schedule includes Horror Movie Night.
Industry Dynamics
The season 35 theme announcement follows the established production template set during the 2026 premiere episode of Dancing With the Stars season 35. This structured approach to theme nights highlights how long-running franchises utilize audience-friendly concepts to maintain engagement in a competitive streaming environment.
Viewers can follow the progression of these theme nights throughout the season on ABC. The schedule dictates which specific musical eras and genres will be highlighted during upcoming live broadcasts.
The takeaway
The announcement confirms that the series will continue its tradition of genre-specific theme nights to test the versatility of its celebrity cast. Fans looking to follow the competition should prepare for recurring themed challenges that shift the focus of the routines every week.
Further reading
For more news on the latest cast updates and program changes, visit the Celebrities section.
Live Poll
Do you enjoy the themed episode format used in reality competition shows?
