Christmas Week: 15 Huge Twists (22–26 December) | Emmerdale

Emmerdale is pulling out all the stops this Christmas, delivering a festive week packed with danger, heartbreak, romance and haunting revelations. From a terrifying disappearance on Christmas Day to long-simmering grudges finally boiling over, the village faces a holiday season that is anything but peaceful. As secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, these 15 dramatic moments promise to leave lasting consequences well into the New Year.

Here’s a deep dive into the biggest twists unfolding in Emmerdale between 22 and 26 December.

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1. War Breaks Out Between Ross and Aaron

The festive calm is shattered as Ross reacts explosively to Aaron and Robert’s decision to bring Seb back to the village. For Ross, this isn’t just about logistics—it’s deeply personal. Letting go of Rebecca’s son was one of the most painful sacrifices he’s ever made, and the thought of seeing Seb every day reopens wounds that never truly healed. His unresolved grief quickly turns to anger, placing him directly at odds with Aaron. What begins as a bitter disagreement soon escalates into open hostility, with neither man willing to compromise.

2. Robert and Aaron Come Under Attack

Tensions intensify when Aaron discovers his car windscreen smashed. Convinced Ross is responsible, Aaron’s fury pushes him dangerously close to retaliation. However, cracks appear in this theory when evidence suggests Ross may be innocent. Instead, a far more sinister possibility emerges: someone else is watching, lurking in the shadows. The sense of being targeted creates an atmosphere of creeping dread, signalling that this is only the beginning of a calculated campaign against Robert and Aaron.

3. Robert Makes a Chilling Discovery

When pot plants outside the flat are deliberately set on fire, Aaron once again points the finger at Ross. But Ross has an airtight alibi, forcing Robert to look elsewhere. As the truth dawns on him, the realisation is genuinely unsettling—there is a dangerous enemy at play, far more methodical and threatening than they imagined. Robert now faces a race against time: can he uncover the truth before this unseen threat destroys his future with Aaron?

4. Robert Disappears on Christmas Day

Christmas Day should bring unity and joy, with villagers gathering outside The Woolpack, mulled wine flowing and festive cheer filling the air. But the warmth evaporates when Robert abruptly leaves on a mysterious errand. When he fails to return, panic grips Aaron and Victoria. As hours pass with no sign of him, fear turns to dread. Robert’s disappearance casts a dark, ominous shadow over what should be the happiest day of the year.

5. Paddy’s Heartbreak Over Bear

Elsewhere, Paddy is struggling with his own Christmas pain. All he wants is his dad, Bear, and the ache of his absence is overwhelming. The emotional contrast is stark when viewers see Bear spending Christmas at Celia’s farm, trapped in bleak conditions alongside the other forced workers. Paddy’s loneliness mirrors Bear’s silent suffering, underlining the emotional cost of their separation.

6. Bear Becomes a Voice of Reason

Bear’s compassion shines through when he learns that Celia and Rhona plan to leave the village, sparking fears that he’ll be abandoned. During a heartfelt conversation, Rhona opens up about the devastation of losing Laurel. In an unexpected turn, Bear offers wisdom and encouragement, urging Rhona to take a chance on happiness while she still can. It’s a powerful moment that highlights Bear’s quiet strength and moral clarity.

7. Laurel and Rhona Reignite Their Spark

Inspired by Bear’s words, Rhona reaches out to Laurel, inviting her for an early Christmas tea. The thoughtful gesture and festive spread visibly touch Laurel, and their chemistry is impossible to ignore. Hope flickers as Rhona dares to imagine they might still share Christmas together. Yet with Celia’s controlling presence looming, the potential reunion feels heartbreakingly fragile.

8. Kim Rejects Joe’s Peace Offering

At Home Farm, Kim is reeling after learning the truth about her accident. When Lydia admits that she and Sam were responsible, Joe is furious. Kim responds by cancelling her family Christmas meal, bracing herself for a solitary holiday. When Joe attempts to extend an olive branch, she shuts him down coldly. Her bitterness runs deep, and forgiveness seems further away than ever.

9. Kim Suffers a Dangerous Fall

Kim’s fierce independence proves costly when she suffers a fall and becomes stranded on the floor. Her cries for help bring Lydia rushing to the house, much to Kim’s frustration. Even as Kim orders her to leave, Lydia refuses, determined to stay and protect her. The moment underscores the complicated, emotionally charged bond between them.

10. Kim Is Haunted by the Past

Joe makes one final attempt to reconcile, hoping to spend Christmas Day together, but Kim turns him away yet again. Alone at Home Farm, she is confronted by photographs from past Christmases—snapshots of happier times that now feel painfully distant. Surrounded by memories and regret, Kim is forced to face the stark reality of her isolation in a haunting, emotional reckoning.

11. A Romantic Proposal Brings Hope

Amid the chaos, love finds a way. One villager gets down on one knee in a heartfelt proposal, offering a rare moment of optimism. The question of whether their partner will say yes hangs in the air, along with the tantalising possibility of wedding bells in 2026.

12. Charity and Vanessa’s Tense Christmas

Charity is thrown into turmoil when she’s forced to spend Christmas Day with Vanessa. With alcohol flowing freely, Charity fears that Vanessa might reveal their recent intimacy. Later, Charity snuggles up with Mackenzie, unaware that a looming threat could soon tear her world apart.

13. Sarah and Jacob Dream of the Future

Sarah and Jacob are filled with excitement as they plan their gender reveal party, brimming with hope and anticipation. However, their joy is short-lived when an unexpected setback leaves Jacob frustrated and angry. Suddenly, their celebration—and their future—feels uncertain.

14. A Quiet Moment of Remembrance

At the graveyard, Charles, Claudette and Jimmy come together to honour loved ones they’ve lost. United in grief, they reflect on how absence has shaped Christmases past and present. It’s a subdued yet deeply moving reminder of loss, resilience and the enduring power of memory.

15. Marlon Senses Trouble Ahead

As the week draws to a close, a life-changing decision looms for one villager, while Marlon is plagued by an uneasy feeling that something isn’t right. His instincts suggest that not everyone will find peace under the Christmas tree—and he may be right.

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With danger closing in, relationships hanging by a thread and secrets threatening to explode, Emmerdale’s Christmas week promises high drama and emotional fallout. As joy and despair collide, one thing is certain: this festive season will leave the village forever changed.