Behind the Scenes at General Hospital's Christmas Eve Celebrations

Rice Plaza is the place to be in Port Charles, especially when it comes to General Hospital holiday activities. Between the hot chocolate, the Perks coffee cart, and sweet treats like churros, there's no place better for a winter snack.

An eventful Port Charles Christmas Eve

On the December 23rd episode of GH, Mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis) led the tree-lighting ceremony. Thrilled to have two of her three children home for the holidays for the first time in years, Laura was unaware of the drama taking place around her.

Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez) contacted her brother, Rocco (Finn Carr), allowing Lulu (Alexa Havins) to talk to her daughter for the first time in four years. Neither Laura nor Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) knows that Lulu took off to fetch Charlotte from wherever Valentin has them hidden.

Gio (Giovanni Mazza) also ran into his own drama — or rather drama ran into him. A mysterious girl who turned out to be Emma Scorpio Drake (Braedyn Bruner) handed Gio a wallet for safekeeping, but that wallet was stolen. Gio let the girl take the money from the wallet and then hand it to the police after she explained that the guy she stole it from had ripped off a woman selling ornaments.

Of course, the Q mansion and Carly's (Laura Wright) house were also hopping, with Josslyn (Eden McCoy) trying to put on a happy face after losing Dex (Evan Hofer) last week.

A very merry General Hospital Christmas

After the episode aired, GH shared some behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram.

Maurice Benard and Kate Mansi enjoyed some laughs as their characters Sonny and Kristina enjoyed some hot beverages after stopping by Carly's house.

Genie Francis got a little makeup touchup as Laura prepared to do her mayoral duties and lead the annual Rice Plaza tree lighting.

Soap newcomers Braedyn Bruner and Giovanni Mazza pose during a break between takes after Emma added a little excitement to Gio's life. He had been complaining he didn't have much outside his music and school, so Emma might be just who he's been waiting for.

Scarlett Fernandez and Alexa Havins pose for their first photo as GH mother and daughter. Charlotte and Lulu didn't come face-to-face and only spoke on the phone. We can't wait to see them share scenes together soon.

Eden McCoy waves at the camera with a smile as Josslyn spends Christmas at her mom's house with an unexpected guest.

Mazza and Josh Swickard showed off their musical talents as Gio and Chase performed a rousing rendition of O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Christmas will continue on Thursday's GH as Dante learns what Lulu has done and Nina's Christmas Eve party ends in disaster.

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.