As Days of Our Lives charges toward the end of the year, Salem is anything but calm. The festive season becomes a pressure cooker of secrets, betrayals, medical crises, and emotional turning points

that will permanently reshape the lives of some of the show’s most beloved—and most dangerous—residents. From December 22 through January 2, viewers are promised two relentless weeks of

high-stakes drama, where hope and heartbreak exist side by side, and every celebration is shadowed by peril. This is not simply a holiday stretch filled with sentimental moments

and sparkling lights. Instead, Salem finds itself at a crossroads, where long-buried truths rise to the surface, family bonds are tested to their limits, and shocking revelations ignite storylines that will dominate the new year.

1. Chanel DiMera’s Shocking Pregnancy Amid a Health Crisis

One of the most emotional storylines of the season centers on Chanel DiMera, whose joy-filled future suddenly feels terrifyingly uncertain. As late December settles over Salem, Chanel finds herself overwhelmed not by holiday cheer, but by fear. Lingering fatigue and bouts of nausea trigger memories of her past cancer battle—memories she has fought hard to move beyond.

A tense visit to University Hospital leaves Chanel anxiously awaiting answers from Dr. Sarah Horton. In Chanel’s mind, the worst seems inevitable. Has the disease that once threatened her life returned just as she began rebuilding her dreams?

The truth, however, is both shocking and life-altering. Sarah delivers unexpected news: Chanel isn’t sick—she’s pregnant. The revelation lands with breathtaking force, colliding joy with fear in equal measure. When Chanel shares the news with Johnny DiMera, the couple is overcome with happiness, but the celebration is tempered by harsh reality. Chanel is still under close medical supervision, and this pregnancy is considered high-risk—a fragile miracle that places both mother and baby in danger.

Already adjusting to life with a newborn, Chanel and Johnny face mounting emotional and financial pressure. Yet, in the days ahead, Johnny rises to the challenge, setting aside his own anxieties to become Chanel’s steady support. His devotion underscores a powerful theme of resilience, as the couple begins planning for a future filled with uncertainty—but also hope.

2. A Breathless Rescue in the DiMera Crypt and Peter Blake’s Confession

While Chanel battles a private storm, a far more physical nightmare unfolds beneath Salem. Deep within the damp, suffocating DiMera crypt, the truth behind a horrifying kidnapping finally begins to surface. During the week of December 22–26, all signs point to Peter Blake, whose shocking confession sends shockwaves through the town.

But in true Days of Our Lives fashion, nothing is ever straightforward. Is Peter truly the mastermind behind the ordeal, or is he merely a pawn in a much darker, unseen game?

The hostages, once broken and terrified, refuse to remain victims. Drawing on sheer willpower, they attempt daring escapes and confrontations that turn the crypt into a battleground of survival. Above ground, Police Commissioner Rafe Hernandez and Detective Jada Hunter close in, their coordinated efforts driven by urgency and instinct.

The rescue is heroic—but costly. As the captives are finally pulled into the light, Salem University Hospital is plunged into chaos, overwhelmed by the medical fallout of the ordeal. Freedom, it seems, comes with consequences no one could have anticipated.

3. Hospital Tragedies and Kristen DiMera’s Unexpected Remorse

The aftermath of the kidnapping sends ripples of tragedy through Salem, with multiple characters rushed into emergency care. Among them is Kristen DiMera, a woman known for her ruthless manipulation and icy resolve. Struck by a severe infection, Kristen is suddenly stripped of her power and confined to a hospital bed.

In these rare moments of vulnerability, Kristen appears to experience something unexpected: remorse. Requesting to see Peter Blake—badly injured and nearby—Kristen offers what seems like a sincere apology for the pain she has caused him. The encounter promises to be emotionally charged, raising questions about whether this marks a genuine turning point for one of Salem’s most notorious villains.

Peter, however, is not easily persuaded. His cold demeanor and simmering resentment suggest that forgiveness may be impossible—and that their tangled history could still lead to devastating consequences.

Meanwhile, the Carver family faces its own heartbreak. Theo Carver collapses suddenly, slipping into a deep coma. The sight of Abe Carver, steadfast and dignified, sitting helplessly at his son’s bedside is profoundly moving. Forced to confront the possibility of another devastating loss, Abe clings to hope, praying for a miracle as the future hangs in the balance.

4. Power Struggles at Titan and Shattered Alliances

Beyond the hospital walls, Salem’s corporate wars rage on. Titan Industries becomes the stage for new power struggles as Cat Greene, a sharp and enigmatic figure, intensifies her investigation into EJ DiMera. Fresh from surviving the kidnapping, EJ finds no time to recover before being pulled back into political and corporate intrigue.

Cat’s interest in EJ goes beyond business. Her motives remain shrouded in mystery, hinting at personal stakes that could change everything.

At the same time, the growing connection between Gabi Hernandez and Philip Kiriakis offers moments of tenderness amid chaos. Both scarred by betrayal, they find comfort in one another—but their bond is built on unstable ground. Gabi’s role in the failed Titan-DiMera merger looms large, a ticking time bomb that threatens to destroy her relationship with Philip once the truth emerges.

EJ’s return brings mixed reactions across Salem. While Johnny feels relief, others sense danger. Hardened by his ordeal, EJ may be more determined than ever to protect his empire—no matter the cost.

5. New Year’s Eve Betrayals and a Kiss That Changes Everything

As Salem rings in the New Year, the town square glows with lights, music, and fleeting optimism. For a moment, it seems as though romance and renewal might triumph over darkness. But in Salem, even kisses can spark disaster.

In a shocking turn, Sarah Horton shares a passionate New Year’s Eve kiss with Brady Black—right in the middle of the celebration. The moment is explosive, sending shockwaves through those watching, especially Xander Kiriakis. Having worked hard to rebuild bridges with Maggie and hoping for a reunion with Sarah, Xander feels blindsided and betrayed.

His heartbreak quickly curdles into jealousy, igniting a volatile love triangle that threatens to spiral out of control. Elsewhere, Marlena Evans offers comfort to young Rachel Black at Bayview, reminding viewers that compassion and understanding still have the power to heal even the deepest wounds.

A Turbulent New Beginning for Salem

The final days of the year deliver a relentless emotional roller coaster. From Chanel’s miraculous yet dangerous pregnancy to Theo Carver’s fight for survival, from Kristen DiMera’s fragile remorse to Cat Greene’s shadowy schemes, these intertwined stories paint a vivid portrait of Salem at its most intense.

The rescue from the DiMera crypt may have closed one dark chapter, but it opens the door to even greater conflict. As the new year begins, unanswered questions loom large. Where will Sarah and Brady’s shocking kiss lead? Can Chanel protect her unborn child against overwhelming odds? And who is truly pulling the strings behind Salem’s chaos?

One thing is certain: Days of Our Lives is heading into the new year with explosive momentum, proving once again that in Salem, peace is always temporary—and drama is forever.