Emmerdale Christmas and New Year spoilers: Your day-by-day guide as Robert Sugden vanishes

Emmerdale is once again dishing up a jam-packed Christmas and New Year, with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) being targeted by a mystery assailant.

Car windscreens are smashed, trees are burnt, and Robert seemingly disappears amid the celebrations. But who is it?

Elsewhere, Charity Dingle's (Emma Atkins) secret is on the brink of exposure, and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) prepare to flee.

Here's everything happening in Emmerdale between Monday 22nd December and Friday 2nd January.

Emmerdale episode guide for Christmas and New Year

Monday 22nd December – 30-minute episode at 7.30pm

Lydia makes a huge blunder by revealing about her and Sam's responsibility for Kim's accident. He's enraged, and heads over to Home Farm to try and patch things up with her, but is shocked to hear that she's cancelled her Christmas dinner order.

All alone, she becomes increasingly more isolated. Having fallen and unable to move, she calls out for help. Lydia arrives and although Kim tries to dismiss her, she goes against her wishes and stays.
Meanwhile, with Ray and Celia preparing to leave the village, Bear is concerned that he'll be left behind. Ray assures him that it won't happen, and can't shake the prospect of having to end his relationship with Laurel prematurely.

Bear encourages him to seize the day and make the most of his happiness while he still can. Ray decides to organise a fake Christmas lunch for her, and while they chat, he dares to dream about spending a proper festive period together one day.

Elsewhere, Ross is shocked to hear that Aaron and Robert are planning to bring Seb back into their lives. He's unsure whether he can see the youngster around the village every day and before long, battle lines are drawn.

Aaron is furious to find that his windscreen has been smashed, and immediately assumes that it was Ross. However, little does he realise, the real culprit is lurking in the shadows...

Plus, wedding bells could soon be ringing following a proposal, and Sarah and Jacob decide to host a gender renewal party.

Tuesday 23rd December – 30-minute episode at 7pm

Kim has no choice in Lydia's decision to stick beside her, while Jacob plans his party with Pollard.

Robert and Aaron have no idea of a looming threat to their safety, as Aaron continues to pursue Ross for a number of incidents that are happening to them. A tree is set alight outside of Mill Cottage, but Ross has an alibi.

Later, Robert discovers who is behind the attacks, but will he be able to stop them?

Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December – 30-minute episode at 6.55pm

Joe makes an attempt to reconcile with Kim, but she shuts him down and is left alone.
Aaron and Robert are fearful for what might happen next.

Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December – Hour-long episode at 6.15pm

Christmas morning gets off to a good start as the villagers gather for mulled wine outside of The Woolpack. However, down the road, Aaron is confused by Robert's sudden need to head off, and alarm bells start to sound when he doesn't return home.

At Home Farm, Kim is surrounded by photos of those she has lost over the years, and faces up to the prospect of spending the big day all alone.

With Bear still unaccounted for, Paddy is upset to be without him at such an important time. Sadly, on Celia's farm, it's another bleak day for the forced workers as they continue their usual regime.

Vanessa and Charity end up spending Christmas together. When Vanessa gets drunk, there are concerns what she might spill. That night, cuddled up with Mack, Charity has no idea of the looming threat.

Elsewhere, at the graveyard, Claudette and Jimmy remember those villagers that have passed away.

Boxing Day, Friday 26th December – Hour-long episode at 6.30pm

Amid the threat to his family, Marlon feels deeply uneasy. Someone has a huge decision to make, but what is it, and who will it impact?

Elsewhere, Jacob is not a happy man.

Monday 29th December – 30-minute episode at 7.30pm

A threat to someone's life casts a large shadow over the village, and Jai knows far too much for his own good. Will he expose everything, and get people into trouble?

Meanwhile, April makes a shock discovery and wants to do all she can to help, and Charity makes matters worse for herself.

Tuesday 30th December – 30-minute episode at 7.30pm

April realises that she has nowhere left to turn and wants to make an escape plan. Will it pay off?

The threat to life is imminent, as wedding plans are considered.

New Year's Eve, Wednesday 31st December – 30-minute episode at 7.30pm

Ray is ordered to complete a truly horrible job, with someone in the village unaware that their life is still very much at risk.

As fireworks fill the skies over Hotten, it's a dramatic end to 2025.

New Year's Day, Thursday 1st January – Hour-long episode at 7pm

2026 gets off to a sinister start, with a happy surprise triggering another level of danger.

Off the back of his grisly task, Ray hopes that one day his dream of a happy life with Laurel could come true.

Friday 2nd January - 30-minute episode at 7.30pm

It's a big way to cap off the first week of the New Year, as there's a fight to the death and a secret explodes.

Elsewhere, a truth is revealed...

Read more:

• Emmerdale 2025 Christmas schedules confirmed by ITV - including extended festive episode
• Major Emmerdale character leaves after sword attack and holding three villagers hostage – but will they be back?
• Emmerdale airs huge twist as character 'returns from the dead'
• Emmerdale's Jaye Griffiths reveals future for Celia after shocking twist

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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