Days of our Lives spoilers for January 5-9, 2026 tease the aftermath of last week’s wedding crasher and surprise proposal.

Key Takeaways

• Dimitri showed up after Leo and Javi got married.
• Alex proposed to Stephanie.
• Gabi learned Stefan is dead.
• EJ left Salem to assure a worried Sydney that everything’s all right.

Weekly Recap

Monday, December 29, 2025, Episode #15280

Rafe (Galen Gering) broke it to Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) that Stefan (Brandon Barash) was supposedly dead. Roman (Josh Taylor) comforted Marlena (Deidre Hall) when she grieved John (the late Drake Hogestyn) during Christmas. Kate (Lauren Koslow) spent the holiday with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) and Lucas (Bryan Dattilo), who revealed he has a new, secret love. When Gabi later told Philip about Stefan, he invited her back to his place, while Kate caught Roman comforting Marlena. Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) surprised Steve (Stephen Nichols) at Stephanie (Abigail Klein) and Alex’s (Robert Scott Wilson) place, then left to give the couple some alone time to exchange gifts.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Episode #15281

Leo (Greg Rikaart) invited Gwen (Emily O’Brien) to the wedding. Susan (Stacy Haiduk) welcomed EJ home. Anna (Leann Hunley) reunited with Tony (Thaao Penghlis). Johnny (Carson Boatman) broke it to Chanel (Raven Bowens) that he’s acting CEO of DiMera until Theo (Tyler Joseph Andrews) gets better. Kate revealed her plan to Xander (Paul Telfer), involving Johnny’s inexperience and Bonnie’s (Judi Evans) manuscript.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Episode #15282

Brady (Eric Martsolf) hired Melinda (Tina Huang) to represent Kristen (Stacy Haiduk), her recanted her confession, then informed her family she won’t pull the plug on Peter (Dan Gauthier). Sophia (Rachel Boyd) revealed to Rachel (Alice Halsey) that she’s going to leave Salem after taking care of unfinished business. Later, Melinda paid Sophia a visit and she let her guard down with her lawyer. EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) received a troubling call from Sydney, panicking over the DiMera threat. When she requested to see her dad, he decided to leave Salem and see her.

Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) told Rafe her plan to keep investigating EJ while he was out of town visiting Sydney. When they found Stefan’s death certificate to be suspicious, they wondered if the DiMera had faked his death. Gabi and Gwen mourned both Stefan and Jake (Brandon Barash). Leo sought out Marlena to calm him down before the wedding. Johnny admitted to Chanel that he believed the pregnancy was too risky to continue. When everyone gathered for the wedding, they wondered where Leo was.

Friday, January 2, 2026, Episode #15284

When Alex gave Stephanie a Christmas present, she received a note that read, “Will you marry me?” then saw Alex down on one knee. Ari (Marissa Reyes) fumed over Leo going MIA on her cousin, then Leo suddenly arrived. Gwen complained about Jennifer to Chad. Marlena performed the ceremony and Leo and Javi wed. Just as they were headed to the reception, Leo was shocked to see Dimitri (Peter Porte).

Week Ahead

Soon, in Salem, Leo and Javi get a shock, while Theo has an awakening about being a DiMera.

Next Week’s Breakdown

Monday, January 5, 2026, Episode #15285
Leo and Javi face a life-altering challenge.
Gwen finds herself in hot water.
Julie advises Jeremy.
Holly surprises Tate.
Sarah rings in the New Year with Brady.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Episode #15286
Abe and Paulina receive a New Year’s miracle.
Marlena gets Leo to open up.
Dimitri faces off with Gwen.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Episode #15287
Kate gives Bonnie bad news.
Alex puts his foot down with Xander.
Rafe and Jada brainstorm.
Kristen makes a difficult decision.

Thursday, January 8, 2026, Episode #15288
Kristen makes a proposal to Rafe.
Theo grapples with the reality of being a DiMera.
Stephanie explodes on Alex.
Belle and Chad agree to help each other move on.
Philip and Gabi make plans.

Friday, January 9, 2026, Episode #15289
Chanel stands her ground with Johnny.
Sarah opens up to Maggie.
Xander lashes out at Brady.
Leo proves his love to Javi.
Dimitri gets the upper hand on Gwen.