General Hospital airs on ABC and Hulu (Image via YouTube/ General Hospital)

ABC is not airing a new episode of General Hospital on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, due to holiday-related scheduling changes tied to New Year’s Eve programming. The network has opted to preempt its regular daytime lineup, resulting in repeat airings instead of fresh episodes.

As a result, General Hospital is taking a brief pause at the end of 2025, with December 30 serving as the final new episode of the year.

In place of a new installment, ABC is rebroadcasting a past episode that originally aired on December 27, 2024, in select time zones, while other regions are impacted by sports programming.

The scheduling disruption continues on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, when another encore episode will air. New episodes of General Hospital will resume on Friday, January 2, 2026, returning to the show’s usual weekday 1 pm Central Time slot on ABC.

Why is General Hospital preempted on December 31, 2025?

General Hospital is preempted on December 31, 2025, as part of ABC’s year-end schedule adjustments. With New Year’s Eve falling on a weekday, the network has opted to temporarily pause new daytime episodes.

Holiday programming and live sports coverage take priority. This leads to changes across several time zones.

Instead of a new episode, ABC is airing a rerun on December 31, 2025. The encore episode originally aired on December 27, 2024. It features a storyline involving Jason, Anna, Michael, Trina, Alexis, and Brennan. In some regions, college football coverage replaces the soap entirely.

The schedule disruption continues on Thursday, January 1, 2026. ABC will rebroadcast a classic 2015 episode marking Anthony Geary’s farewell as Luke Spencer.

The episode centers on Luke’s emotional goodbye to Port Charles after rescuing his sons and reuniting with loved ones.

New episodes remain on hold until the holiday break ends. General Hospital returns with fresh material on Friday, January 2, 2026, resuming its regular weekday afternoon schedule on ABC.

What to expect when General Hospital returns

When General Hospital returns with a brand-new episode on Friday, January 2, 2026, the drama in Port Charles surges forward.

Sonny Corinthos steps up when Michael is concerned. He delivers a warning that centers on testimony and the dangers of saying the wrong thing at the wrong moment. Michael remains confident, but his situation is not really secure.

Alexis Davis is already working behind the scenes on a new legal strategy tied to Willow’s trial. She knows the alibi linking Michael and Jacinda is weak. Alexis begins targeting that joint story, determined to dismantle it piece by piece in court.

Her plan threatens to pull Jacinda under intense scrutiny and place Tracy Quartermaine in an uncomfortable position as well.

Dante Falconeri sits down with ADA Justine Turner for a serious discussion. Their conversation touches on Willow’s case and the fallout from Chase’s suspension following his testimony.

Professional tension hangs in the air. Both sides understand that the courtroom battle ahead will not be clean or predictable. As Alexis and Justine prepare to face off, the legal stakes rise for everyone involved.

Kristina Corinthos-Davis is blindsided by shocking news. The revelation leaves her unsettled and forces her to confront how deeply the trial drama is affecting her family.

Whether the shock comes through Molly’s choices or Alexis’ courtroom maneuvering, Kristina finds herself pulled into emotional territory she did not expect.

Laura Collins continues to feel the pressure from Jenz Sidwell. He corners her once again, issuing new instructions that tighten his grip. Laura is forced to balance fear, authority, and survival.

Sonny quietly aligns with her, searching for a way to weaken Sidwell’s control. Any progress against him proves difficult and costly. Laura remains focused on keeping Kevin and Ace safe while navigating impossible decisions.

Looking beyond the immediate return episode, 2026 promises major turning points. The mystery of who shot Drew Cain finally moves toward a full reveal. Trina and Kai hold evidence that could expose the truth.

Their choice about what to do with that information carries serious consequences. Willow’s trial reaches its climax. The verdict sends shockwaves through Port Charles and leaves lasting damage in its wake.

Romantic storylines grow more complicated under mounting danger. Jason and Britt stop denying their attraction, but outside threats quickly interfere. Lulu and Nathan grow closer while dealing with Charlotte’s disappearance.

Their connection becomes even more volatile with Maxie’s long-awaited awakening on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Anna’s captivity takes a darker turn. Escape attempts fail, and bring trauma rather than relief. The Scorpios face painful fallout.

Tracy Quartermaine steps into action as secrets about Drew’s past finally surface. Family tensions erupt, and old wounds reopen.

When General Hospital returns, the reset is over. The new year begins with high stakes, emotional fallout, and a relentless push toward consequences that will shape Port Charles throughout 2026.