Christmas week in Emmerdale is anything but peaceful. As festive lights flicker across the village, long-simmering resentments ignite, buried truths claw their way to the surface, and relationships are pushed to breaking point. From an all-out war between Ross Barton and Aaron Dingle to shocking disappearances, emotional reckonings, and life-changing decisions, the week ahead promises devastation wrapped in tinsel.

1. Ross and Aaron Declare War Over Seb

The village becomes a battleground as Ross Barton reels from Aaron and Robert’s plan to bring Seb back to Emmerdale. For Ross, the decision reopens one of the deepest wounds of his life. Giving up Rebecca’s son was an act of self-sacrifice he’s never truly recovered from, and the thought of seeing Seb every day threatens to undo him completely.

Aaron, however, is unmoved. To him, Seb belongs with his family, and Ross’s objections feel selfish and obstructive. As tempers flare, old resentments resurface, and what begins as a disagreement quickly turns personal. Battle lines are drawn, and neither man is prepared to back down.

2. Robron Under Attack as Vandalism Sparks Fear

When Aaron discovers his car windscreen smashed, suspicion immediately lands on Ross. Already on edge, Aaron’s anger boils over, and thoughts of retaliation creep in. But as the dust settles, it becomes clear Ross isn’t responsible.

Instead, an unseen threat is lurking—someone deliberately targeting Robron. And this act of vandalism is only the beginning.

3. Robert Makes a Chilling Discovery

Tensions escalate when a fire breaks out, destroying the pot plants outside Aaron and Robert’s flat. Once again, Ross is accused, but he has an ironclad alibi. Robert’s instincts kick in, and as he digs deeper, he uncovers a far more unsettling truth: someone else is orchestrating a calculated campaign to terrorise them.

The question becomes terrifyingly urgent—can Robert identify the culprit before their interference destroys everything he and Aaron have fought for?

4. Robert Vanishes on Christmas Day

Christmas Day dawns with mulled wine and forced cheer outside The Woolpack, but unease hangs heavy. Aaron is baffled when Robert abruptly leaves, claiming he has something urgent to deal with. Hours pass, and Robert doesn’t return.

Panic sets in as Aaron and Victoria realise Robert is missing. With tensions already sky-high and a mystery attacker still at large, fears grow that something terrible has happened.

5. Paddy Longs for Bear

Away from the chaos, Paddy’s Christmas is overshadowed by heartbreak. All he wants is his dad, Bear, back in his life. The absence feels heavier than ever during the festive season.

Meanwhile, Bear endures a bleak Christmas at Celia’s farm, where life continues as normal for the forced workers—cold, joyless, and unforgiving.

6. Bear Offers Comfort and Wisdom

Bear grows increasingly anxious when he learns Celia and Rishi are planning an escape. Terrified of being left behind, he seeks reassurance from Rishi, who promises he won’t abandon him.

During their conversation, Rishi opens up about the pain of ending things with Laurel. Bear, drawing on his hard-earned wisdom, urges him to stop running from happiness and fight for the life—and love—he truly wants.

7. Rishi and Laurel Reignite Their Romance

Inspired by Bear’s words, Rishi plans an early Christmas tea for Laurel. His surprise spread melts her heart, and the spark between them reignites instantly. For the first time in weeks, Rishi allows himself to hope.

But looming over their happiness is Celia—whose control threatens to shatter their fragile reunion before Christmas Day even arrives.

8. Kim Rejects Joe’s Olive Branch

At Home Farm, Kim Tate faces a lonely Christmas after cancelling the festive family meal. When Lydia admits she and Sam were responsible for recent events, Joe goes on the offensive, determined to fix things.

Joe offers Kim an olive branch, but she coldly rejects him, sending him packing. Pride and pain collide, and Kim chooses isolation over reconciliation.

9. Kim Suffers a Dangerous Fall

Kim’s stubborn independence soon proves costly when she takes a tumble and ends up injured on the floor. Her cries for help are answered by Lydia, whose presence infuriates her.

Despite Kim ordering her to leave, Lydia defies her wishes and stays, sensing Kim is more vulnerable than she’ll ever admit.

10. Kim Is Haunted by Ghosts of Christmas Past

Joe makes one final attempt to reconcile, hoping to salvage Christmas Day. Kim turns him away once more. Left alone, she is confronted by photographs of loved ones long gone—ghosts of happier Christmases.

As loneliness closes in, Kim is forced to confront the reality of a future that may be far emptier than she ever imagined.

11. A Romantic Proposal Stuns the Village

Amid the chaos, love finds a way. One villager gets down on one knee and pops the question, bringing a rare moment of joy to Emmerdale.

But will the answer be yes—and could wedding bells ring in 2026, or will fate have other plans?

12. Charity and Vanessa’s Explosive Christmas

Charity panics when she’s forced to spend Christmas with her ex-fiancée Vanessa. As alcohol flows, Charity fears Vanessa might reveal their recent intimate encounter.

Later, Charity snuggles up with Mack, unaware that a looming threat could blow her carefully balanced world apart.

13. Sarah and Jacob Dream of the Future

Sarah and Jacob excitedly plan their gender reveal party, full of hope and optimism. But their happiness is short-lived when something happens that leaves Jacob furious, threatening to derail their plans and their relationship.

14. Charles, Claudette, and Jimmy Share Their Grief

At the graveyard, Charles, Claudette, and Jimmy come together to remember loved ones lost. Their shared grief unites them as they reflect on how loss has reshaped Christmas—both past and present.

15. Marlon Senses a Life-Changing Decision

Elsewhere, Marlon is deeply uneasy. He senses someone close to him is on the brink of making a huge decision—one that could change everything forever.