EastEnders‘ Christmas episodes are always epic, from the 1986 moment where Den (Leslie Grantham) served Angie (Anita Dobson) divorce papers (which raked in over 30 million viewers!) to the 2024 reveal of Cindy’s (Michelle) scandalous affair with Junior (Michael Balfour). The UK soap is setting up its characters for another exciting holiday under the mistletoe, and Executive Producer Ben Wadey teased some of the drama to come to RadioTimes.com.

Wadey explained at a press event that this is his first Christmas helming EastEnders, so he wanted to make this holiday season one viewers will always remember. He said:

That’s very in keeping for the holidays, reminiscent of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future in Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol. RadioTimes.com outlined the major storylines going in on Walford this Christmas.

Starting out, Nigel (Paul Bradley), who is struggling with dementia as those who love him try to figure out what’s best for him, will get a special episode on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Fans will see him interacting with characters that are actually dead, but their original portrayers will return in Nigel’s mind: brazen Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) and her unlucky and awkward stepson Barry (Shaun Williamson), plus Nigel’s first spouse, Debbie (Nicola Duffett).

This year has seen the revival of a few major families, including the Slaters and the Brannings. Troubled Zoe (Michelle Ryan) has seemingly found some peace with her always-estranged mama Kat (Jessie Wallace), but she’s also being stalked and trying to find the kids she gave up years ago (although she only knows she had a son at this point). Viewers know that Walford newcomer Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) appears to be Zoe’s long-lost daughter, but nothing’s entirely clear when it comes to this family drama, especially as Zoe’s ex, Anthony (Nicholas Bailey), manipulates things from behind the scenes.

Fans will also love the return of sly Max Branning (Jake Wood), Zoe’s former fling. Drama is coming from Max’s roguish son Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier), who is Jasmine’s beau, getting drunk and having loose lips. Plus, Max just discovered Linda’s (Kellie Bright) daughter Annie is his, so the Carter clan is roped into all of this! When the Beales and Brannings sit down to Christmas dinner, tension will lead to truths being revealed, no doubt.

There will also be a flash-forward to 2027 for Max on the New Year’s Day episode! Max, Oscar, and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) will be the center of what’s going on, too.