Days Of Our Lives
WATCH: 50 Years Of DAYS: Christmas In Salem!

Courtesy/NBC
Nothing says “Days of our Lives” like the annual Horton ornament hanging at Christmas time. When you have an ornament hung on the Christmas tree at Tom (MacDonald Carey) and Alice’s (Frances Reid) you officially were welcomed to the family.
Over the years through sorrow and passings, and births and marriages, the Christmas time Horton tradition has always brought out the hankies for many a long time viewer of the NBC soap opera.
As the series gets ready to celebrate its 5oth anniversary in November, NBC.com is continuing to post some web gems and clip packages featuring staple moments of the daytime drama series. This time it looks at Christmas in Salem! From John (Drake Hogestyn) and Marlena (Deidre Hall), Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith) and baby Arianna, to JJ (Casey Moss), Abigail (Kate Mansi) and Jennifer (Melissa Reeves), to Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso), Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) and Victor (John Aniston), to Doug (Bill Hayes) and Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes), check out the selects from the retrospective.
Watch 50 Years of DAYS: Christmas in Salem after the jump. Then let us know, do you look forward to the annual Horton Ornament hanging each Christmas episode? What is your favorite Christmas memory from DAYS over the last 50 years? Who do you hope is together for this Christmas come December on-air? Share your thoughts below!
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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always loved Christmas at the Horton house and those occasional ones that weren’t there but were mentioned as being missed
I love this time of year… it’s a given that I tear up and then some
I do think… DAYS should spend more time on and pan the whole tree… perhaps spend a minute more.. as the ending credits … so we can see all the names
beautiful
summons that much more emotion
…..always the romantic, Patrick; always the poet….And, nostalgia was her name!!
It’s something I’ve always tuned in to see even when I wasn’t following the show on a daily basis. The Horton tree ornaments hanging is a Christmas tradition filled with so much joy that I’d miss it greatly if I couldn’t watch it. I love seeing so many of the characters all together in one place year after year for something so beautiful. I trust they will go above and beyond in this 50th year.
How about some real long forgotten Hortons like Steve Olsen, Tommy Horton, Sandy Horton, David Banning, Scott Banning, Jeremy Horton, Sarah Horton as well as Bill, Laura, Melissa, Marie, Mike, and Mike’s ex Robin!!!
And Jessica too, Jimh!
I would like to see Jessica hanging her own ornament and her son’s…While hanging Nick’s ornament, Jessica can imagine her alternate personality hanging “Rick’s” ornament…Jessica gave birth to Nick and her alter gave birth to Rick!!!!!
See what i mean about forgotten Hortons…i forgot Jessica…hey, when Nick was killed off i mentioned he could have a twin named Rick…maybe Rick’s the killer…lol
Yes, I remember your ideas, Jimh!
Great clips! I love that Days does this tradition every year. I always loved Days and the ornament hanging along with Guiding Light and the storytelling and then the cast and crew singing in the credits.
Loved when Bonnie hung her huge ornament! That was classic.
I’m a sucker for the Horton/Days Christmas shows. Love the tradition.
Beautiful!
I agree that the Christmas shows are beautiful. But where are the shows featuring other religious beliefs. Not all are Christian. What about Jewish and other religious traditions.
Does anybody know about steve and kayla daugater when did have daugater
Steve and Kayla’s daughter was born about 1990. They named her Stephanie.
Love the annual Horton tree trimming show! It is my favorite part of Days. Look forward to it every year. Love family and friends together and the ritual and tradition. It is one of the happier upbeat shows. . Of course, it would be good if the show made mention of other religions as well at times.
The ornament hanging is a tradition. When we see it .we see the love the characters felt for each other. This is a Christmas tree.
Some of the younger couples (i.e. Will-Gabi, JJ-Paige) had the potential to become supercouples like John-Marlena, Bo-Hope, Steve-Kayla, etc. But the writers and/or producers messed it up with the stories they created for these young couples. Opportunity missed to continue the tradition set in place by Tom and Alice Horton (MacDonald Carey and Francis Reid).
I have long believed that there are persons in Hollywood, and in particular the Daytime industry, who absolutely hate the values that Ted Corday used to create Days of Our Lives. (On person in the Daytime world even credited Irma Philips as creator of Days and not Ted Corday. I can’t tell you how little I think of such a “reporting”.)
I also think that over the years there have been writers hired on Days whose objective seems to have been to destroy the values that were used to create Days. That has not worked and I dare say it never will. Why try to destroy someone else’s creation? If you don’t like the foundation of the show, go create a show of your own using values and principles that you want to use. But don’t try to destroy someone else’s work. I loathe that!
Nevertheless, in spite of likely intentional sabotage, Days has survived 50 years. Congratulations, Days! You have certainly weathered the storms of the Daytime industry. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” Pslam 23:6 is definitely true of this show.