As the frost settles on the fictional streets of Genoa City and the sun sets over the glamorous estates of Los Angeles, CBS is once again orchestrating its traditional holiday dance for daytime drama enthusiasts. For fans of The Young and the Restless (Y&R) and The Bold and the Beautiful (B&B), the Christmas week schedule offers a curated blend of nostalgic reflection and high-stakes momentum, ensuring that while the holiday might bring a pause for breath, the drama never truly stops.

Christmas Day: A Journey Through Time

On Christmas Day, CBS invites viewers to trade current cliffhangers for the comfort of the archives. This year’s selection for The Young and the Restless is a standout from 2010, featuring the indomitable Victor Newman in a quintessential soap opera homage to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of Eric Braeden’s commanding presence, as Victor is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. While the narrative intended to humble the Newman patriarch, true to character, Victor emerged from his visions emotional but largely unyielding—a classic piece of Genoa City history that fans are eager to revisit.

Meanwhile, The Bold and the Beautiful is opting for a more recent trip down memory lane, re-airing its 2024 Christmas special. Unlike the warmth of previous years, this episode highlights the complicated dynamics between the Forresters and the Logans. Set against the backdrop of a brewing corporate takeover, the 2024 holiday served as a pressure cooker of tension disguised by tinsel, showcasing the delicate balance of power that defines the series.

The Friday Return: New Conflicts for a New Year

While the reruns provide a cozy distraction, the question on every viewer’s mind centers on when the “real world” returns. CBS has confirmed that the holiday hiatus is brief: brand-new episodes of both flagship soaps are slated to air on Friday, December 26th.

In Genoa City, the post-Christmas fallout promises to be explosive. Sally Spectra is reportedly set to deliver critical intelligence to Jack and Billy Abbott, a move that could provide the Abbott family with a vital lifeline in their ongoing battles. Elsewhere, the legal eagle Michael Baldwin will find himself seeking solace in Lauren as he faces a life-altering decision, while Chelsea Lawson prepares to drop a bombshell. Sources indicate Chelsea will issue Adam Newman a serious ultimatum, one that threatens to fundamentally shift their relationship dynamic as the year draws to a close.

Los Angeles Tensions and Toasts

Across the coast at The Bold and the Beautiful, the festive spirit lingers, but with a sharper edge. Friday’s fresh episode sees Steffy and Finn seeking a momentary reprieve at Will’s beach house, joining Electra and Dylan for a holiday toast. However, the peace is unlikely to last. Donna Logan will find herself in the familiar role of peacemaker as she attempts to bridge the growing divide between Brooke and Katie. With Katie’s burgeoning fashion venture causing ripples in the industry and the family, the “sisterly peace” of the Logans appears to be on very thin ice.

As CBS Daytime gears up for the final stretch of 2025, the message to fans is clear: enjoy the nostalgia of Christmas, but keep the remote close. The bridge between the holiday spirit and the cutthroat reality of daytime television is short, and the events of December 26th are set to redefine the landscape for the year ahead.