Derek Hough Announces His Most Ambitious Project Yet: A 40-Show ‘Symphony of Dance: Encore’ Tour Across North America in 2026
Derek Hough is ready to hit the stage again — and this time, he’s bringing something even more electrifying. The six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, Emmy-winning choreographer, and global dance icon has officially announced his return with Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore, a massive 40-show tour set to sweep across North America from June through August 2026. It’s a bold new chapter for a performer whose career has continually evolved — not just in scale but in depth, emotion, and sheer creative vision.
The announcement marks Hough’s fourth major tour and the continuation of his most successful live concept yet, Symphony of Dance, which previously sold out theaters nationwide. This new “Encore” edition promises not just a repeat but a complete reinvention — an immersive, theatrical experience blending breathtaking choreography, live music, and cinematic production values designed to remind audiences why Hough has become one of the defining dance figures of his generation.
In an exclusive conversation shared with People, Hough expressed deep excitement about revisiting the stage after focusing much of his recent time on television commitments, creative projects, and mentoring young dancers. “There’s something indescribable about the energy of live performance,” he said. “When the lights go down, and you feel the audience breathing with you — that’s where I feel most alive. Symphony of Dance was a dream come true, but Encore is about pushing it even further. It’s about creating moments that people feel in their bones.”
The Encore tour will travel through major cities across the United States and Canada, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, and Miami. While specific venues and dates are expected to be released early next year, insiders describe the production as Hough’s most technically ambitious yet. Each show will reportedly feature a blend of classic ballroom artistry, contemporary choreography, and live orchestral elements that fuse movement with cinematic storytelling.
Fans familiar with Hough’s work will recognize his signature creative philosophy — blending precision and passion with an emotional honesty that transcends dance styles. He’s long been known for taking ballroom to places it’s never been before, fusing it with Broadway flair, modern athleticism, and a deeply cinematic touch. In Encore, sources close to the production suggest audiences can expect entirely new arrangements of his most iconic routines, along with original compositions inspired by the emotional arcs of music itself.
This announcement also follows a significant period in Hough’s personal and professional life. Since his marriage to fellow dancer Hayley Erbert in 2023, the couple has continued to inspire fans with their artistic partnership both on and off stage. Their chemistry, often described as one of the purest expressions of dance connection on television, will likely play a role in the upcoming tour — though whether Erbert will perform alongside Hough has yet to be confirmed.
What’s clear is that Symphony of Dance: Encore isn’t just another show. It’s the culmination of Hough’s years of experience as a performer, creator, and storyteller. Each tour has reflected a different era of his evolution — from the raw energy of Live! The Tour in 2019 to the cinematic vision of Symphony of Dance in 2023. Now, with Encore, Hough seems determined to bridge the two worlds: the intimacy of his stage storytelling and the spectacle of his television productions.
“Every tour has been a mirror of where I am in life,” Hough said previously when reflecting on his artistic process. “This next one is about gratitude — about celebrating the people who come with me every night and make it all possible.”
Those people include not just the fans but also a growing team of collaborators — dancers, designers, musicians, and technical artists who have helped transform Hough’s shows into multimedia experiences. While few production details are confirmed, early teasers suggest that Encore will incorporate cutting-edge visual effects and an expanded live band section to give each performance the atmosphere of a full concert-meets-dance symphony.
The announcement comes at a time when Hough’s profile has never been higher. As a judge on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, he’s helped guide a new generation of performers while continuing to showcase his own versatility as a choreographer and mentor. His presence on the show — characterized by warmth, precision, and humor — has made him both a fan favorite and a respected authority in an industry that often struggles to bridge the gap between technical mastery and mainstream appeal.
Beyond the television screen, Hough has quietly become one of the most successful touring artists in the dance world. Few performers can claim to have redefined live dance theater the way he has — crafting productions that feel as emotionally resonant as they are visually dazzling. The 2023 Symphony of Dance tour grossed millions in ticket sales and earned near-universal acclaim for its choreography and emotional narrative, a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and heart that left audiences deeply moved.
For Hough, Encore is more than a victory lap — it’s a chance to deepen that connection. “I always say that dance is the language of the soul,” he once remarked. “It’s not about the steps; it’s about the story. And I want every person who walks into the theater to feel like they’re part of that story.”
The new tour also reflects Hough’s broader mission to expand the cultural space for dance in mainstream entertainment. In recent years, he’s become a vocal advocate for recognizing dance as an essential part of storytelling, equal to film, music, and theater. His vision, both onstage and off, has influenced countless young artists — from ballroom students to viral TikTok creators — who see in him not just a performer but a symbol of passion, discipline, and relentless creativity.
That influence extends beyond his own performances. Through his collaborations, masterclasses, and social media presence, Hough has turned his personal journey into a platform for inspiring others. Whether he’s sharing behind-the-scenes rehearsals or emotional reflections on the importance of art and perseverance, he remains grounded in the values that first made him a household name: hard work, authenticity, and connection.
In an era when entertainment often feels fragmented, Symphony of Dance: Encore aims to do something timeless — bring people together through shared energy and emotion. The promise of live performance, especially after years of global disruptions to touring and stage shows, carries renewed meaning. For many fans, this tour represents not just entertainment but a return to joy — a chance to experience art in its most human and communal form.
While details such as ticket sales and full tour cities are expected to be announced in early 2026, anticipation is already building. Fans have flooded social media with excitement, recalling favorite moments from Hough’s past tours — from his heart-pounding tap duets to breathtaking contemporary solos that blend athleticism with elegance. Many are already predicting that Encore will be his most emotional and immersive show to date.
As for what’s next after the tour, Hough remains focused on staying creatively engaged in multiple arenas. With ongoing projects in television production, choreography, and music, he continues to expand his artistic portfolio. But for now, his focus is clear — getting back on stage, under the lights, and reconnecting with audiences who have followed his journey for more than a decade.
“I’ve spent my life chasing moments that make people feel something,” Hough said recently. “If I can keep doing that — if I can make someone forget their worries for two hours and just feel joy — that’s everything.”
For Derek Hough, dance has always been more than movement. It’s a form of storytelling, a bridge between worlds, and a lifelong love letter to the human spirit. With Symphony of Dance: Encore, he’s inviting audiences to join him once again — to feel, to move, and to remember what it means to be alive.
