Alfonso Ribeiro’s annual Thanksgiving with “Dancing with the Stars” alumni isn’t just a celebrity party—it’s proof that reality TV can spark real, enduring family bonds, now going strong for 11 years straight.
The DWTS Thanksgiving: More Than a Party
This year marks the 11th consecutive Thanksgiving where Alfonso Ribeiro—host, mirrorball champion, and sitcom legend—opened his Southern California home to the sprawling Dancing with the Stars family. The 2025 celebration came just two days after the show’s newest champion was crowned, seamlessly extending the competitive season’s camaraderie into the holiday spirit.
Guests arrived to an elaborate outdoor setup with festive tables, a tent, and Disney-themed bouncy houses—and the menu was as star-studded as the guest list. The spread featured turkey, ham, classic sides, and even a whimsical fruit platter shaped like a turkey, capturing the playful, welcoming energy Ribeiro and his wife Angela bring to this unique tradition.
A Tradition Rooted in Community
What began after Ribeiro’s 2014 victory on DWTS is now a fundamental part of the show’s culture. Ribeiro and Angela coined this celebration as “friendsgiving,” designed to include both past and present DWTS pros—many of whom hail from across the globe and lack local family ties while working in Hollywood.
By gathering dancers and their families for Thanksgiving, the Ribeiros forged a surrogate family for pros like Julianne Hough, Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Sasha Farber, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and Peta Murgatroyd. As Angela’s social posts and video reels show, the annual event is less about glitz and more about genuine support and togetherness.
Star Power, Real Bonds: The Guest List
Angela Ribeiro’s candid Instagram reel from Thanksgiving 2025 gives fans a rare glimpse into this offscreen tradition. It captures the joy, laughter, and even the culinary artistry that have become signatures of the annual gathering. Many of the show’s most beloved pros were present, their attendance a testament to how the competition breeds lasting friendships.
- Julianne and Derek Hough
- Mark Ballas
- Val Chmerkovskiy & Jenna Johnson
- Sasha Farber
- Maksim Chmerkovskiy & Peta Murgatroyd
- Hayley Erbert
For many pros—who often hail from Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and far-flung points—the chance to celebrate an American holiday together is a crucial anchor in the emotionally demanding world of entertainment. Ribeiro has said the dancers are “true friends of ours now” and emphasized that, for Thanksgiving, he and Angela become family to those far from home [Parade].
A History of Connection: The DWTS Family Legacy
This annual gathering has become an unofficial institution that blurs the lines between on-screen rivalry and off-screen unity. As fans have seen, the competitive edge on DWTS is fierce, but it’s these moments—captured in unfiltered photos and videos—that reveal the authentic bonds at the show’s heart.
Each year, pros and their loved ones post tributes, group selfies, and thanks to the Ribeiros. In 2025, Angela’s caption—“Our 11th Annual DWTS Thanksgiving❤️#blessed”—and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s heartfelt gratitude on social media, highlighted just how cherished this invite is within the community.
Why It Matters: Off-Camera Family, On-Camera Chemistry
This tradition isn’t just sweet nostalgia—it goes to the core of DWTS’s lasting appeal. Long after the mirrorball is won, these friendships keep the spirit of the competition alive, fueling fan engagement and show continuity. Viewers who watch for the playful bickering and ballroom drama are rewarded with proof that the stakes are about more than choreography—they’re about family, inclusion, and the joys (and challenges) of making a home away from home in Los Angeles.
For fans, this annual event is a chance to see their favorite pros as approachable and authentic—not just dazzling competitors. It feeds a wealth of fan theories, wishful reunions, and an ongoing social media conversation about which DWTS alumni deserve another shot at the ballroom or a future all-star season.
The Ripple Effect: Setting the Standard in Hollywood
In an industry often criticized for fleeting connections, the DWTS Thanksgiving tradition stands out as a model for building lasting, supportive communities. Alfonso and Angela Ribeiro’s open-door policy demonstrates that for all the reality TV spectacle, genuine bonds and gratitude are what endure season after season.
- 11 years of annual DWTS Thanksgivings is a record few celebrity circles can claim
- The tradition bridges cast changes, judge rotations, and generational shifts in dance
- It has inspired copycat “friendsgivings” among other TV casts in Hollywood
Fan Impact: Why DWTS Viewers Can’t Get Enough
The sustained, public celebration feeds fan communities eager for behind-the-scenes glimpses and speculation. From group shots to candid table conversations, each year’s Thanksgiving generates new content that strengthens bonds between stars and their fandom. For supporters of DWTS, seeing the pros interact as a family fuels anticipation for future seasons—and keeps the conversation going long after the finale confetti falls [official list].
The Forever Family: What’s Next for DWTS and the Ribeiros?
With the 11th gathering complete, it’s clear that the DWTS Thanksgiving is as much a part of the show’s canon as its iconic theme music or signature mirrorball. For new champions and incoming stars, the holiday at Ribeiro’s home offers an open invitation—a chance to become part of a family that outlasts the limelight. As fans look to future seasons, the tradition stands as a beacon of continuity, loyalty, and genuine camaraderie.
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