On Days of our Lives, Marlena and Leo didn’t become friends because the story demanded it. It happened quietly. Marlena saw past Leo’s mess, his noise, his history, and treated him like a person worth defending. Leo noticed and continued working with her as his therapist, as he tried to get past his scheming ways. Over time, that bond turned real, warm, and oddly grounding. Taking their charming chemistry to the real world, Deidre Hall and Greg Rikaart will participate in a special holiday event this year.
Key Takeaways
- Marlena and Leo’s bond grew organically on-screen, rooted in empathy rather than plot.
- Deidre Hall and Greg Rikaart are bringing that connection to a holiday parade appearance.
- Fans responded with warmth, nostalgia, and affection for the duo.
- The Hollywood Christmas Parade blends tradition with a real charitable mission.
A Salem Pair Goes Public — Festively
The official DAYS Instagram page posted photos of Hall and Rikaart and wrote, “Ready to feel the holiday spirit? Tune in to @HollywoodChristmasParade this Friday at 8 PM ET/PT on @TheCW to see @deidrehall_official and @gregrikaart make their way down the parade route! ❤️✨”
The post confirmed that both actors will appear in the 93rd Hollywood Christmas Parade, a holiday tradition that still knows how to mix classic Hollywood charm with familiar faces. Hall and Rikaart won’t just be waving. They’re part of a tradition that stretches back nearly a century, one that still treats warmth and visibility as the whole point.
The photos themselves did a lot of the talking. The two were coordinated, with Hall sporting a festive red plaid jacket over a black shirt and pants, while Rikaart wore a black wool coat with a white shirt, a black tie, and matching red plaid pants. As the two posed with Santa, it was clear that they’re friends off-screen, warming the fans’ hearts.
Viewers Leaned Into the Warmth
The comments flooded in fast and affectionate. Fans leaned hard into the visuals — “Love these two,” “2 of my favorites!,” “Twinzies 🔥❤️😍,” and plenty of heart emojis doing the heavy lifting. Several zeroed in on the plaid, calling out the “matching tartan pants and jacket” and the overall holiday vibe.
Others focused on the dynamic itself, celebrating the actors’ bond with lines like “I love their friendship on screen and off❤️” and “Love you two as friends on Days!! ⏳.” The tone stayed warm, familiar, and personal, like viewers checking in on people they’ve known for years.
The parade goes back generations, but it never feels like a museum piece. It mixes spectacle with purpose. Floats. Bands. Performers. And a very real commitment to giving back. At the center of it is Toys for Tots, which the parade has long been tied to. The giving doesn’t stop when the season does. For many DAYS fans, seeing Hall and Rikaart together is exactly the kind of holiday moment that sticks.
