2025 is about to be a big year in Salem! From a new romance to a heartbreaking goodbye, here’s what to expect on Days of our Lives in the new year.

Dolly?

With Doug III (Peyton Meyer) sticking around Salem, it looks like he’s going to have his eye on someone special… and taken. Already with hopes of attending a concert with Holly (Ashley Puzemis), it looks like a romance may be about to develop between the two Salem youngsters.

But where will that leave Tate (Leo Howard)? Well, with the news of Sophia’s (Madelyn Kientz) pregnancy coming out, he may be a bit too preoccupied with his baby mama to even notice Holly drifting away and straight to Doug III.

Black and Blue

Another blossoming romance will be between Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Ava (Tamara Braun), but not if Rachel (Finley Rose Slater) has anything to say about it. Now with two DiMera women on their backs, the aspiring couple may need to watch out.

On a sadder note, as Salem gears up to say goodbye to John (the late Drake Hogestyn, who passed away in September), it will all begin as Steve (Stephen Nichols) becomes determined to find his best friend. John is said to be on a mission with the ISA, but the character will soon be killed off, cuing a slew of returns to Salem to celebrate and remember both John and his portrayer. Be on the lookout for familiar faces like Sami (Alison Sweeney), Shane (Charles Shaughnessy), Will (Chandler Massey), and many more throughout 2025.