Fans of ABC’s hit dance competition series are getting a brand-new way to experience the show as Dancing With the Stars Con 2026 opens Friday, July 31, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

The three-day event runs through Sunday, August 2, bringing the show’s professional dancers, celebrity contestants, judges and longtime fans together for a weekend built around the franchise’s music, dancing and memorable moments. Organizers are billing it as the first-ever official Dancing With the Stars fan convention.

A New Chapter for the DWTS Fanbase

The convention gives fans an opportunity to experience the franchise outside its normal television format.

According to the official event site, the weekend includes live dance performances, panels, interactive photo experiences, exhibits and other fan activities. The event is designed to turn the show’s familiar ballroom atmosphere into a full weekend experience.

The convention arrives as the series prepares to return for its 35th season in September, following a milestone 20th anniversary season.

Professional Dancers and Fan Favorites Headline the Weekend

Several familiar faces from the franchise are scheduled to appear during the convention.

The announced lineup includes professional dancers and fan favorites such as Val Chmerkovskiy, Emma Slater, Jenna Johnson and Sharna Burgess, along with former celebrity contestants including JoJo Siwa, Kristi Yamaguchi and Ginger Zee. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli are also among the notable names connected to the event.

Other DWTS veterans and personalities are expected to participate in panels, performances and fan experiences throughout the weekend.

Live Performances Bring the Ballroom to Palm Springs

One of the biggest attractions is the live entertainment.

Fans can watch professional dancers perform in person while also getting closer to the personalities who have helped make the ABC competition a longtime television favorite. The official convention description emphasizes live dance performances as one of the central parts of the weekend.

The live format gives fans something they cannot get from a regular episode at home, combining performances with opportunities for direct interaction.

Panels, Q&As and Photo Experiences

The convention also puts fan interaction front and center.

Attendees can take part in panel discussions, Q&A sessions and interactive photo experiences featuring stars from the DWTS world. Exhibits and exclusive merchandise add another layer to the weekend, giving fans ways to celebrate the show’s history and personalities.

The mix of entertainment and interactive activities is designed to make the event feel more like a full fan destination than a standard live show.

Acrisure Arena Hosts the Three-Day Event

Dancing With the Stars Con is taking over Acrisure Arena in the Greater Palm Springs area from Friday through Sunday.

The official venue schedule lists the event dates as July 31 through August 2, 2026, while the convention’s website identifies Palm Springs, California, as the host location.

Three-day early-bird tickets were offered starting at $199 plus fees, with individual Saturday and Sunday tickets also available.

Why the First-Ever Convention Matters

The launch marks a notable expansion for a television franchise that has built a large and highly engaged fanbase over two decades.

Instead of limiting fan interaction to weekly broadcasts, the convention gives viewers a dedicated space to meet stars, watch performances and celebrate favorite moments from the show’s history. Entertainment Weekly described the event as a first-of-its-kind gathering built around the DWTS community.

The timing also gives the franchise a major promotional moment ahead of Season 35.

DWTS Heads Into a New Season

The convention comes only weeks before Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premieres on ABC and Disney+.

The new season is scheduled to begin with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16, 2026, continuing the show’s run as one of television’s best-known unscripted competition series.

That makes the Palm Springs convention an especially timely celebration of the franchise as fans prepare for another season of ballroom competition.

A Weekend Built for DWTS Fans

Dancing With the Stars Con 2026 gives the franchise a new way to connect with its audience at a time when interest in the series remains strong.

With live performances, celebrity appearances, fan panels, photo experiences and a full weekend of DWTS themed activities, the first-ever convention is turning one of television’s most recognizable dance competitions into a live fan destination.

For the fans arriving in Palm Springs this weekend, the ballroom is no longer just on television. It is taking over Acrisure Arena for three days.