Emmerdale’s festive season is set to erupt with tension, surprises, and heartbreak as Christmas and New Year roll into the village. What should be a peaceful time filled with mulled wine and cheer quickly transforms into a whirlwind of secrets, confrontations, and looming danger.

The celebrations begin with excitement, as the village prepares for a public proposal—one that promises joy for some and shock for others. But beneath the surface, the holiday spirit is thin. Robert suddenly disappears without explanation, leaving both Vic and Aaron increasingly uneasy. As everyone gathers at the Woolpack for Christmas Day drinks, the mood shifts from warm to anxious when Robert fails to return.

The drama kicks off even before Christmas Day officially starts. Ross is blindsided when he learns Robert and Aaron intend to reintroduce Seb into their lives. For Ross, the decision to give up Seb was one of the most painful experiences he’s ever faced. The thought of seeing the child he once raised walking around the village daily is almost unbearable. Tension builds quickly, and soon Ross and Aaron are in a silent battle neither wants but both feel pulled into.

Returning home to find his car window smashed, Aaron immediately assumes Ross is responsible. Fueled by anger, he begins preparing for retaliation. But the situation becomes stranger when it’s confirmed Ross had nothing to do with it. Someone else is lurking in the shadows, and their motives are much more dangerous.

The next morning, Aaron jumps to conclusions again, accusing Ross of setting fire to the trees outside his flat. But once again, Ross has an airtight alibi. Robert digs deeper and uncovers the truth about who’s behind the attacks, but the question remains—can he stop this menace before they tear apart his and Aaron’s fragile happiness?

Meanwhile, another storyline unfolds as Ray and Celia discuss leaving the village. Bear worries that he will be abandoned, a fear Ray tries to soothe by assuring him he won’t be left behind. Ray, still hurting from his abrupt breakup with Laurel, is encouraged by Bear to seize every moment of joy he can before it slips away completely.

Following Bear’s advice, Ray arranges to meet Laurel. Their lunch is filled with warmth, and for the first time in a while, Ray allows himself to imagine spending a real Christmas with someone who makes him feel seen. Laurel appears genuinely enchanted by him, giving Ray hope that their story is far from over.

Elsewhere, Lydia makes a shocking confession to Joe, revealing the role she and Sam played in the accident that left Kim in misery. Joe is furious, his anger burning hot enough to push him toward seeking revenge. Kim, still reeling from her own troubles, cancels plans for a family Christmas, sinking deeper into loneliness at Home Farm.

Joe eventually returns in an attempt to reconcile with Kim and mend their strained relationship, but she pushes him away coldly. Soon after, tragedy strikes. Kim falls in her home and is left writhing in pain, unable to stand without help. She calls for assistance, but she’s displeased when Lydia arrives. Though Kim tells her to leave, Lydia refuses, recognizing that Kim’s fierce independence has become her own worst enemy.

The following day brings more bitterness. Kim rejects Joe’s attempts at spending Christmas together. Surrounded by reminders of better times and lost loved ones, Kim is forced to confront a holiday filled with nothing but silence and shadows.

Back in the village, the much-anticipated public marriage proposal takes place, leaving one villager with a life-changing decision to make. But even this romantic moment can’t soften the mounting tension heading into the New Year.

Things only escalate as hints of danger weave through multiple storylines. An unspecified threat to life looms, putting more than one villager at risk. Rumors swirl that Jai Sharma knows far more than he should, and given his vengeful nature, there’s real fear he’ll spill dangerous information that could jeopardize several lives.

Charity, in the middle of her own emotional chaos, complicates matters even further. Her long-buried baby secret inches closer to erupting into public view. Meanwhile, young April stumbles onto a shocking truth and becomes determined to help, even if it places her in harm’s way.

And amidst all this turmoil, Ray receives an unthinkable task—one that could destroy the new beginning he’s desperate to create for himself.

Emmerdale’s Christmas may begin with hope, but it’s clear the holidays will bring more danger, heartbreak, and explosive revelations than anyone in the village is prepared for.