Christmas in Emmerdale is rarely peaceful — but next week, the festive season takes a chilling turn as love, loyalty and survival collide. From a terrifying threat hanging over Robert and Aaron’s future, to Kim Tate facing her most isolated Christmas yet, and Celia’s criminal empire tightening its grip, the village is bracing itself for a week where joy and danger exist side by side.

Here’s a deep dive into the major storylines that will dominate Emmerdale from 22–26 December — and why this Christmas could change everything.

Robron Under Siege as a Dangerous Enemy Strikes

Robert and Aaron should be looking forward to their first Christmas reunited and hopeful, but instead, they find themselves living under a growing cloud of fear. A shadowy enemy is stalking them, targeting their home and relationship in increasingly unsettling ways.

It begins with a smashed windscreen — a blatant warning that someone is watching. Aaron’s suspicions immediately fall on Ross Barton, especially given the tension simmering between them over Robert’s plans to bring Seb back to the village. When potted plants outside Aaron’s flat are later set on fire, the fear escalates into outright terror.

Aaron confronts Ross, convinced he’s crossed a line. But Ross has an alibi — and Robert soon realises the truth is far more disturbing. Someone else is orchestrating this reign of terror, someone far more dangerous, and their actions are only just beginning.

The threat becomes painfully real on Christmas Day itself, when Robert leaves Aaron behind to deal with something he insists can’t wait. As the hours pass and Robert fails to return home, panic sets in. Aaron and Victoria are left fearing the worst.

Has Robert walked straight into a trap?

Seb’s Return Sparks War Between Ross and Aaron

Ross Barton is reeling from the revelation that Robert and Aaron are planning to bring Seb back to Emmerdale. For Ross, the wound is still raw. Giving up Rebecca’s little boy was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever made — and the thought of seeing Seb every day threatens to break him.

Ross isn’t just hurt — he’s furious. He questions whether Robert and Aaron can really provide the stable home Seb needs, especially with their turbulent past and enemies circling. As Ross digs his heels in, battle lines are drawn, with Aaron increasingly convinced Ross is capable of sabotaging them.

But when the truth emerges that Ross isn’t behind the attacks, the realisation hits hard: the danger facing Robron is bigger — and closer — than they ever imagined.

Christmas Fear Outside the Woolpack

As Christmas Day dawns, the villagers gather outside the Woolpack for mulled wine and festive cheer, unaware that darkness is closing in on some of their own. Laughter and lights contrast sharply with the tension simmering beneath the surface — especially for Aaron, who can’t shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong.

When Robert disappears, the celebrations turn hollow. Festivity gives way to dread, and the village braces itself for devastating news.

Kim Tate’s Loneliest Christmas Yet

At Home Farm, Kim Tate is facing a Christmas she never imagined — alone, bitter, and consumed by betrayal. After Lydia admits that she and Sam were responsible for the events that led to Kim’s recent ordeal, Joe Tate goes on the warpath, desperate to make things right.

But Kim is in no mood for reconciliation. She cancels the family Christmas meal, shuts herself away in the big house, and coldly rejects Joe’s olive branch when he turns up hoping to mend fences.

Her stubbornness soon backfires. Alone and vulnerable, Kim suffers a fall and ends up stranded on the floor, forced to cry out for help. Lydia answers — and despite Kim ordering her to leave, Lydia refuses, determined to make sure she’s safe.

Joe tries once more to convince Kim to spend Christmas Day together, but she pushes him away again. As night falls, Kim is confronted by memories of Christmases past — ghosts of love, power, and family that only deepen her isolation.

For the formidable Kim Tate, this Christmas may be her most painful reckoning yet.

Celia’s Farm: No Escape for Bear

While others celebrate, there’s no festive spirit on Celia’s farm. For Bear and the other forced workers, it’s business as usual — hard labour, fear, and control.

All Paddy wants for Christmas is to see Bear again, unaware of the bleak reality his father is enduring. When Bear overhears Celia and Ray discussing plans to escape, terror grips him. If they leave, will he be abandoned?

Ray reassures Bear that he won’t be left behind — but uncertainty lingers. During a rare moment of honesty, Ray admits he’s devastated about ending his romance with Laurel. Moved, Bear urges him to take a chance on happiness while he still can.

Encouraged, Ray arranges an early Christmas tea with Laurel. He surprises her with a heartfelt spread, and Laurel is clearly smitten. For a fleeting moment, Ray dares to hope they might share Christmas Day together.

But Celia looms large — and her control could shatter that dream in an instant.

A Proposal Brings Hope — and Questions

Amid the chaos, there’s a glimmer of joy in the village as one local gets down on one knee and pops the question. It’s a rare moment of celebration — but will the answer be yes?

If so, could wedding bells be ringing in 2026? Or will looming threats cast a shadow over even this happy news?

Charity’s Christmas Panic with Vanessa

Charity Dingle finds herself in a festive nightmare when she’s forced to spend Christmas Day with ex-fiancée Vanessa. With alcohol flowing and emotions already high, Charity fears Vanessa might let slip about their recent intimate encounter.

The tension is unbearable — every glance, every drink loaded with unspoken history. Later, Charity seeks comfort with Mackenzie, enjoying a rare moment of closeness.

But neither of them realises that a huge threat is quietly gathering momentum — one that could destroy everything they’re trying to rebuild.

Sarah and Jacob’s Plans Hit Turbulence

Sarah and Jacob are buzzing with excitement as they plan their gender reveal party — a rare moment of optimism amid the village’s turmoil. But celebrations are soon thrown into doubt when an unexpected incident leaves Jacob frustrated and unsettled.

Will their happy plans survive the week?

Grief and Reflection at the Graveyard

In one of the week’s most poignant moments, Charles, Claudette and Jimmy come together at the graveyard to remember loved ones they’ve lost. United by grief, they reflect on how absence has shaped their Christmases — past and present.

It’s a quiet, emotional reminder that not all wounds heal with time.

Big Decisions and Growing Unease

As the week draws to a close, someone faces a life-changing decision that could alter everything. Elsewhere, Marlon is left feeling deeply uneasy, sensing that trouble is far from over.

With danger closing in, relationships tested to breaking point, and Christmas joy hanging by a thread, Emmerdale’s festive week promises heartbreak, hope, and high-stakes drama in equal measure.

One thing is certain: when Christmas comes to the Dales, nothing will ever be the same again.