Emmerdale gears up for another explosive festive season as Christmas and New Year bring chaos, danger, and shocking twists to the village. At the center of the turmoil are Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden, who unexpectedly become the targets of a mysterious attacker. Windscreens are shattered, fires break out, and in the midst of the seasonal celebrations, Robert suddenly goes missing without a trace. The big question hanging over the village: Who is behind these escalating attacks?

Meanwhile, Charity Dingle is walking a tightrope, her hidden secret teetering dangerously close to exposure. At the same time, Ry Walters and Celia Daniels secretly prepare to slip away from the village before their own problems catch up with them.

Elsewhere, Lydia faces the consequences of her honesty when she slips up and admits her and Sam’s involvement in Kim Tate’s accident. Sam is furious, storming to Home Farm in hopes of smoothing things over. But instead of reconciliation, he discovers Kim has canceled her Christmas dinner and intends to spend the holiday entirely alone. Worsening matters, Kim suffers a fall and finds herself unable to move, calling out for help in desperation.

Lydia arrives just in time. Despite Kim’s frosty attempts to push her away, Lydia refuses to leave her side. While she tends to Kim, Ry and Celia continue plotting their escape, and Bear fears he’ll be abandoned. Ry reassures him but internally struggles with the idea of ending his budding relationship with Laurel sooner than he ever wanted. Bear encourages him to live fully while he still has the chance.

Trying to salvage the moment, Ry organizes a pretend Christmas meal for Laurel, hoping it could one day become real. Elsewhere, Ross is stunned to learn that Aaron and Robert intend to bring little Seb back into their daily lives. The news unsettles him, and tensions quickly begin to rise.

When Aaron discovers his windscreen smashed, he instantly blames Ross—unaware the true culprit watches from the shadows. Amid this rising tension, a romantic proposal sets the stage for possible wedding bells, and Sarah and Jacob begin planning a gender reveal celebration. Even Kim, recovering from her accident, cannot stop Lydia from supporting her.

Aaron and Robert remain oblivious to the imminent threat stalking them. Aaron continues to pursue Ross over the vandalism, convinced he is responsible. But when a tree outside Mill Cottage is deliberately set ablaze, Ross has an alibi—proving someone else is targeting them.

Christmas morning begins joyfully as villagers gather for mulled wine outside the Woolpack. But the peace short-lives. Robert unexpectedly rushes off, leaving Aaron confused and increasingly uneasy when he fails to return.

Back at Home Farm, Kim sits alone, surrounded by photographs of the loved ones she has lost, confronted with the painful prospect of spending Christmas isolated. Elsewhere, Paddy is disheartened by Bear’s absence during such an emotional time.

On Celia’s farm, the forced workers endure yet another harsh day. Meanwhile, Charity and Vanessa end up spending the holiday together. Vanessa drinks too much, raising fears about what she might accidentally reveal. Charity later curls up with Mackenzie, unaware of the danger creeping closer.

In the village graveyard, Claudette and Jimmy pause to remember those who have passed on. Marlon, sensing a threat closing in on his family, becomes increasingly anxious. Someone faces a life-altering choice—one that could impact many in the village. Jacob struggles with the weight of dangerous information he knows too well. If he reveals it, he could drag multiple people into deep trouble.

April later stumbles upon a disturbing discovery and feels she has no choice but to make an escape plan, hoping it will save her. Charity’s situation worsens as she digs herself into deeper trouble. Meanwhile, a sinister threat to someone’s life looms over the village as Ry is forced to carry out a horrifying task. Someone remains clueless that their life hangs in the balance.

As fireworks burst across the skies over Hotten, the year 2025 ends with high drama, and 2026 opens with even darker twists. A seemingly joyful surprise unleashes a fresh wave of danger. Following the gruesome task he was compelled to complete, Ry clings to the hope that he may one day build the life he dreams of with Laurel.

The first week of the new year ends with a brutal fight for survival, the eruption of a long-buried secret, and finally, the truth coming to light. With Robert’s disappearance on Christmas Day, Aaron’s confusion transforms into terror. The tension simmering throughout the holidays reaches its breaking point, triggering confrontations, revelations, and a devastating truth that will alter life in Emmerdale forever.