As Thanksgiving week arrives in Salem, Days of Our Lives gears up for an intense, emotional, and twist-packed set of episodes airing from November 24th through the 28th. What usually marks a season of gratitude and family bonding instead becomes a battlefield of simmering secrets, explosive revelations, and shocking confrontations that will ripple across multiple storylines. This upcoming week pushes several characters toward defining crossroads, where long-buried truths surface, alliances are tested, and heartfelt wishes collide with sinister machinations. Salem is preparing for a holiday unlike any other—one that no viewer will forget.

Gabi’s Holiday Gamble: A Dangerous Dinner Invitation

One of the week’s most daring plots kicks off at the Hernandez house, where Gabi Hernandez makes a bold and risky holiday decision. In a move that raises eyebrows and invites trouble, Gabi extends a Thanksgiving invitation to Philip Kiriakis. To the untrained eye, her gesture might seem like a friendly olive branch, even a warm attempt to maintain peace during the holidays. But seasoned fans know better: nothing Gabi does is without strategy.

Gabi’s choice comes loaded with hidden motives. Her relationship with Philip has been strained ever since he placed his trust in her, only for her to betray him in a major corporate plot. Gabi had secretly partnered with Tony DiMera to sabotage Philip’s plans for Titan, ultimately derailing a high-stakes business merger. The fallout wasn’t just professional; it shattered the personal bond Philip thought he had with her.

By bringing Philip into her home during an intimate holiday celebration, Gabi hopes to accomplish two goals at once: mend their connection while burying the truth of her betrayal deeper beneath holiday cheer. But this peace is built on a fragile foundation. Philip, unaware of her role in the collapse of his deal, delivers an emotional Thanksgiving toast during the gathering. Speaking with sincerity, he expresses gratitude for the loyalty and support of the people around him—ironically praising values Gabi has completely violated.

The dramatic irony is palpable. Viewers know the storm that’s coming. The question isn’t whether Philip will discover the truth—it’s how devastating the fallout will be when he does. Gabi’s deception is a ticking bomb, and Thanksgiving may be the moment the fuse finally burns out.

The DiMera Crypt Ordeal: A Sinister Family Reunion

Meanwhile, a dark storyline unfolds beneath Salem’s surface—literally. Chad DiMera’s mysterious absence becomes a crisis when it’s revealed he has been kidnapped and imprisoned in the DiMera family crypt, one of the most ominous and legendary locations in the show’s long history. The crypt has housed secrets, confrontations, and even resurrections. This week, it becomes the center of another chilling chapter.

Chad’s young daughter, Charlotte, unknowingly expresses the emotional stakes of the situation. During Thanksgiving wishes at the Horton house, she tenderly shares her hope that her father will come home in time for the holiday. The innocence in her voice underscores the tragedy of the situation: Charlotte doesn’t know her father has been abducted. She thinks he’s simply keeping his distance, perhaps working through personal struggles.

Jennifer Horton tries to balance sensitivity and realism as Charlotte speaks, unsure how to interpret Chad’s disappearance. From her perspective, his absence could be voluntary—maybe he needs space, maybe he’s overwhelmed, maybe he’s avoiding complicated emotions. Meanwhile, Thomas listens in, adding to the tension filling the room.

But the truth is much darker. Chad is not missing by choice. He’s being held in the crypt alongside Kristen DiMera and Tony DiMera, who have also been captured. This forced DiMera family “reunion” hints that someone is targeting the powerful family with precision and unsettling intent. The cramped, eerie crypt becomes the stage for secretive conversations, power struggles, and whispered accusations as the DiMeras try to piece together who orchestrated their imprisonment—and why.

As Thanksgiving week progresses, the consequences of Chad’s disappearance begin echoing outward. The Horton family grows increasingly uneasy, suspicion mounts, and as the truth inches closer to the surface, this storyline promises to erupt in a dramatic confrontation that will shake Salem to its core.

Young Salem Steps Up: Friendsgiving Interrupted

While danger brews among the adults, Salem’s younger residents attempt to embrace a lighter tradition: Friendsgiving. The gathering brings together Tate Black, Holly Jonas, Arianna Horton, and Aaron Green for an evening of youthful fun, connection, and holiday warmth. Their celebration provides a refreshing contrast to the darker storylines—yet trouble soon finds them too.

During the festivities, Tate receives alarming news: Rachel Black’s emotional and physical condition has spiraled, landing her in the hospital. The recent trauma surrounding EJ DiMera’s shooting—and all the subsequent revelations—has weighed heavily on Rachel, pushing her to a breaking point.

Without hesitation, Tate chooses to leave Friendsgiving and support Brady Black, showing maturity and loyalty beyond his years. Rachel’s situation is dire. Her stress, fear, and guilt have built to overwhelming levels, and doctors consider sedatives to stabilize her escalating anxiety. The shooting incident has created a chain reaction of pain and confusion, and Rachel is at the heart of its collapse.

Tate’s decision to stay by her side signals a deep emotional connection—one that may grow even more important as the truth about the shooting comes to light.

Thanksgiving at the Pub: Tradition Amid Turmoil 

Elsewhere, long-time Salem favorites gather at the Brady Pub to celebrate Thanksgiving in the way so many viewers cherish. Roman Brady and Kate Roberts Brady host a holiday spread filled with warmth, humor, and nostalgia. Kayla and Steve Johnson join the gathering, adding to the sense of continuity and tradition.

Before the main dinner, Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson share drinks with Chanel Dupree, offering a moment of levity before the heavier emotional beats of the evening unfold. These scenes remind viewers of the heart of Days: the relationships, the rituals, and the familiar bonds that withstand even the wildest turmoil.

Belle’s Touching Gift: A Daughter’s Devotion

A particularly heartwarming subplot centers on Belle Black, who refuses to let her mother, Marlena Evans, miss out on Thanksgiving despite being unable to attend the larger gathering. Belle puts together a special treat—a small but heartfelt gesture—to bring to Marlena. This act transforms what could have been a lonely moment for Marlena into a touching reminder of her daughter’s love.

It’s a simple scene, but meaningful. Amid kidnappings, confessions, and chaos, gestures like these show the emotional heart of the series.

Rachel’s Shocking Confession: The Truth Behind the EJ Shooting

The most explosive moment of the week arrives when Rachel finally breaks under the weight of what she’s been hiding. In a gripping, emotional confrontation with Brady, she admits that Kristen DiMera did not shoot EJ. This alone is a dramatic bombshell—but the real shock comes moments later.

Rachel remembers everything.

Through tears and terror, she confesses the truth:
she is the one who shot EJ DiMera.

The revelation is devastating—for Rachel, for Brady, and for the entire narrative. Rachel had repressed the memory, allowing everyone to believe Kristen was the shooter. Her confession reframes the entire storyline and exposes the trauma she has been carrying.

Moments after admitting the truth, Rachel collapses. Panic ensues. Brady rushes her to the hospital, where she loses consciousness and is placed under sedation. Her life hangs in the balance.

Brady and Tate keep vigil by her bedside, unaware of the earth-shattering truth Rachel confessed. The responsibility she bears, the guilt she carries, and the danger she now faces are all unknown to them. The silence around her secret only intensifies the coming storm.

A Thanksgiving Week to Remember

Kidnappings. Confessions. Emotional breakdowns. Family traditions. Dangerous secrets. Burgeoning romances. This Thanksgiving week ties together multiple storylines—Gabi’s deception, the DiMera crypt imprisonment, the youth drama, the Brady Pub gathering, Belle’s heartfelt gesture, and Rachel’s shattering confession—into a powerful tapestry of suspense and heart.

Thanksgiving in Salem becomes a turning point. And when the truth reaches all the right ears, nothing—absolutely nothing—will ever be the same.