The ITV soap has an unmissable Christmas lined up for 2025

Emmerdale is ready for another festive season filled with drama, twists and unexpected returns, because after all, what would Christmas be without the troubles of soap world?

Over the last few weeks, viewers have witnessed Ray and Celia’s drug empire expand into a world of modern slavery, with people worked to the bone and living in poor conditions.

While April finally told Marlon and Rhona the truth, Dylan was ran over by Ray as a warning to not proceed any further. The family continue to be haunted, and this Christmas it looks as though the nightmare is far from over.

Meanwhile, Robert and Aaron are well deserving of a happy ending by now, but as they’ve bid farewell to John Sugden and Kev Townsend, a threat returns to the village as they plan ahead for their future.

As Kim Tate lost her horse Ice who meant the world to her thanks to Sam and Lydia Dingle’s foolish plans, she spends her Christmas alone and isolated from loved ones.

Here’s what Christmas will bring in the Dales…

Robert and Aaron make family plans…

Ross is blindsided that Aaron and Robert are planning to bring Seb back into their lives, as giving up Seb was one of the hardest decisions Ross has ever made.

He’s not sure he can see Seb around the village every day and soon battle lines are drawn between Ross and Aaron. Returning home to find his car windscreen smashed, Aaron is sure it’s Ross and his thoughts immediately turn to revenge.

A threat looms in the village…

However it’s soon clear, Ross didn’t smash the windscreen, there is another suspect lurking in the shadows with intent and their reign of terror is only just getting started. The next morning, Aaron suspects Ross of setting fire to trees outside his flat, but Ross has an alibi. Robert quickly discovers who is behind the attacks but will he be able to stop this threat to his and Aaron’s happiness?

It’s Christmas morning and the villagers gather outside the Woolpack for mulled wine. Aaron is perplexed when Robert heads off on a mystery errand. Vic and Aaron are increasingly concerned Robert appears to have vanished on Christmas Day.

Celia plans a great escape…

With talk of Ray and Celia packing up to leave the area, Bear is worried he will be left behind but Ray assures him this won’t be the case. Bear can see Ray’s pain about having to prematurely end his relationship with Laurel and encourages him to make the most of his happiness whilst he can.

Ray meets Laurel and is delighted to agree to meet for lunch. Over Ray’s ‘fake Christmas lunch’ Laurel seems smitten and Ray dares to hope that they may spend the real one together.

Kim finds herself alone at Christmas…

Lydia makes an admission to Joe about her and Sam’s responsibility for Kim’s misfortune. Joe’s incandescent with rage. Meanwhile, Kim’s isolation deepens as she cancels the order for her family Christmas dinner. Joe returns to patch things up with Kim but she sends him packing.

Soon, alone at Home Farm, Kim’s fallen and is in agony unable to get up without assistance. Having called for help, she’s annoyed it’s Lydia who’s arrived. Lydia helps her off the floor but Kim immediately dismisses her. However, Lydia goes against her wishes and stays.

The next day, Kim spurns Joe’s attempt to reconcile and spend Christmas together. Surrounded by photos of the ghosts of Christmas past, Kim faces up to a blue Christmas all alone at Home Farm. Meanwhile, in the village a public marriage proposal happens.

Christmas Day in the village…

Christmas morning and the villagers gather outside the Woolpack for mulled wine. Aaron is perplexed when Robert heads off on a mystery errand. Vic and Aaron are increasingly concerned Robert appears to have vanished on Christmas day.

Kim is prepared to be on her own for Christmas, devastated by the recent betrayals. Paddy is missing his father (still unaccounted for by the family). Meanwhile at Celia’s farm, Christmas day is as bleak as any other for Bear and the other forced workers.

Vanessa and Charity are strong-armed into spending Christmas Day together. Charity’s firefighting when Vanessa stays for Christmas dinner and Charity panics when Vanessa is drunk and Charity worries what she will say. Mack and Charity cuddle up happy to have each other at Christmas, but a threat looms.

In the Graveyard, Claudette and Jimmy console each other over the losses that have impacted respective Christmases.