Salem is turning up the heat as the town prepares for two whirlwind days filled with passion, betrayal, and secrets that could shake everything to the core. With the University Hospital Carnival as the central stage, Tuesday, April 22nd and Wednesday, April 23rd episodes of Days of Our Lives promise high drama, emotional surprises, and long-buried truths threatening to rise to the surface.
Tuesday, April 22: Tension Beneath the Tent
The sun rises on a Salem brimming with anticipation. The much-anticipated University Hospital Charity Carnival is around the corner, and with it comes a swirl of personal agendas masked as community service. Gabby Hernandez is front and center, stepping into a private meeting with Cat Green—a woman who’s thrown herself heart and soul into making the carnival a success alongside Chad DiMera.
But make no mistake: Gabby’s interest in the event goes far beyond philanthropy. As she chats with Cat, it becomes clear that her presence at the carnival may be less about the hospital and more about stirring old tensions. Gabby’s past connection to the DiMera family still lingers, and watching Cat grow closer to Chad and his children, Thomas and Charlotte, ignites a simmering curiosity—or maybe even jealousy.
Meanwhile, Chad finds himself emotionally conflicted. As he watches Cat interact effortlessly with his kids, something inside him stirs. There’s a familiarity in her mannerisms—how she comforts, how she smiles. Could Cat remind him of Abigail, the woman he lost too soon? Is he projecting his grief, or is there a mysterious link between Cat and Abby that hasn’t yet been uncovered?
Across town, Johnny DiMera is grappling with uncertainty as EJ finally wakes from his medically induced coma following the shocking shooting. The world may be relieved, but Johnny remains on edge. What will EJ remember? And more importantly—will he reveal the identity of the person who shot him? The hospital halls are heavy with questions as Johnny braces for a truth that could change everything.
In lighter but no less emotional territory, Tate Black is working up the nerve to ask Sophia Choi to the prom. Their connection is growing stronger by the day, but not everyone is thrilled. Holly Jonas, still stinging from her breakup with Tate, watches from the sidelines with regret. Letting go might have been her idea—but watching Tate move on isn’t easy. 
Wednesday, April 23: Carnival Chaos and Revealing Moments
The carnival kicks off in grand style with laughter, bright lights, and the tempting aroma of funnel cakes floating in the breeze. But beneath the festive energy, emotions are running high—and the drama unfolds fast.
A crowd gathers for the carnival’s main event: a flirty auction featuring some of Salem’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. It’s fun, it’s playful—but it also becomes the perfect setting for revenge. When Gabby stuns the crowd with a massive $10,000 bid on one of the bachelors, jaws drop—especially Stephanie’s. Could Gabby be using the auction to make a statement, especially after her messy split with JJ Deveraux? With whispers swirling about JJ’s alleged link to a murder case, Gabby’s dramatic move might be her way of hitting back—or getting JJ’s attention.
Not to be outdone, Stephanie jumps into the bidding war for Alex Kiriakis. But is this really about Gabby—or is Stephanie feeling something deeper for Alex than she’s ready to admit?
And just when things couldn’t get more outrageous, Xander becomes the talk of the carnival—shirtless in the middle of the festivities. The reason? Still unclear. Did he lose a dare? Or is this a case of emotions boiling over? Tensions between Xander and Philip have been rising for days, and their confrontation at the event reaches a breaking point. Heated words fly, past wounds are reopened, and Xander is left vulnerable—both literally and emotionally. His bare-chested appearance isn’t just eye-catching—it’s symbolic of the raw, exposed state he finds himself in.
Meanwhile, EJ remains the biggest mystery of all. Though awake, he’s not rushing to share what he remembers about the night of the shooting. Does he know who pulled the trigger? Is he playing a long game, using silence as a weapon? His calculated quiet is unsettling—and all of Salem knows that when EJ finally talks, the fallout could be massive.
Looking Ahead: A Town on the Brink
These two episodes pack in more than just carnival games and cotton candy. Love triangles, old flames, emotional discoveries, and buried secrets are exploding to the surface. From Chad’s haunting feelings about Cat to Gabby’s hidden motives, Johnny’s fears, and Xander’s vulnerable moment—every character seems to be walking a delicate tightrope.
And then there’s EJ—whose return could send ripple effects through every storyline.
By the time the carnival ends, no one in Salem will be the same. Relationships will be tested, loyalties questioned, and secrets dragged out into the open under the glare of carnival lights. As the curtain closes on this chaotic two-day event, one thing’s for sure: Days of Our Lives is just getting started, and the biggest shocks may still be on the way.
