New Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators to Headline 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Beginning Nov. 24

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

The time for fa-la-la-la-la is just around the corner! To celebrate, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth at Walt Disney World Resort brings the joyful season to life with magical traditions, jubilant entertainment, delicious dishes and sparkling merchandise.

Grab a mug of hot cocoa and let’s take a look at all that’s coming!

NEW Celebrity Narrators Join EPCOT Candlelight Processional Alongside Returning Favorites

Long a guest favorite, the EPCOT Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a narrator and a massive choir, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets and the incredible Voices of Liberty. This spectacular event returns this year with more new celebrity narrators than ever before! Nine new voices join the ranks of captivating storytellers who share the universal message of this heartwarming story.

To plan your visit, here’s the full list of this year’s celebrity narrators:

  • Chrissy Metz (NEW): Nov. 24-25
  • Luis Fonsi (NEW): Nov. 26-27
  • Ann-Margret (NEW): Nov. 28-29
  • Simu Liu: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
  • John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
  • Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
  • Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
  • Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
  • Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
  • Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
  • Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
  • Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
  • Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
  • Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
  • Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Open Oct. 17

Want to ensure your seat for the performance? There’s no better way than to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Choose from seven distinctive eateries, offering everything from character dining at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land pavilion to signature dining at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. With breakfast, lunch and dinner options, there’s something for everyone. For more information, including pricing and availability, visit the Disney Travel Agents website.

Santa Returns to the Odyssey Pavilion

Santa Claus himself will visit with guests at the Odyssey pavilion from Nov. 24 through Dec. 24. Don your festive best for the perfect photo op and make sure you’ve been nice! But that’s not all, because …

Storytellers From Around the World Share Tales and Traditions

… World Showcase comes alive with magical legends and lore as storytellers from around the globe captivate listeners with myriad tales. Celebrate the season with laughter in the Norway pavilion as a mischievous Barn Santa makes an appearance; observe the wonder of a Chinese Lion Dancer commemorating the Lunar New Year; join a fascinating journey to learn more about Hanukkah festivities around the world; and rediscover the magic of special moments as Pere Noel shares the delightful words of a child’s letter. As you stroll the park, don’t miss the beautiful and diverse décor throughout World Showcase – and beyond.

Even More Joy

To fill your cup up even more, sing along with the exuberant voices of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season in World Showcase Plaza. With uplifting Gospel and R&B songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa, the biggest challenge you’ll have will be standing still! And as a bonus, enjoy a sparkling boat tour through Living with the Land in World Nature, where the greenhouses will be decked out with twinkling holiday light displays.

Tantalizing Holiday Kitchens and a Decadent Cookie Stroll Highlight Seasonal Flavors

What’s a holiday without feasting? If tucking into delicious goodies is your favorite way to celebrate, then you’ve come to the right place. More than 15 Holiday Kitchens will entice your palate with treasured dishes that celebrate a panoply of global holiday cheer. While we can promise you that there will be plenty of returning favorites like Slow Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce, there are also scrumptious surprises in store. Keep an eye out for all the jolly details coming soon in the Disney Eats Foodie Guide.

Remember to save room for the delectable Holiday Cookie Stroll! There’s nothing better than exploring the sights and sounds of the festival with a sweet treat in hand. My family loves to try them all, and I know you will, too. Purchase five cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations and collect the matching stamp for each cookie to add to your festival passport. Once you’ve collected five stamps, bring the stamped passport to the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and receive a specialty cookie. Since you can complete the stroll at your leisure through December 30, it’s the perfect activity to enjoy with family and friends every time you visit the festival.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

Set off on an adventure with Olaf for his Holiday Traditions Expedition Scavenger Hunt, a fun way to explore World Showcase. Just purchase your map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations and seek out the “tradition” that Olaf has found in each pavilion. Whether or not you complete the quest, you can redeem your map at Creations Shop, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special festival holiday keepsake.*

Note that to experience any in-park offerings, guests must have valid theme park admission and may need a theme park reservation depending on the type of admission and date of visit. The ability to visit a theme park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

From celebrating beloved and familiar traditions to learning about new ones, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is the perfect way to embrace the cheer and good will of the season. Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for more details now through the beginning of the festival.

*Redemption valid through Dec. 30 or while supplies last.

First Round of Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators Announced for 2022

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It’s hard to believe, but the beginning of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is less than two months away! One of our favorite festival activities is enjoying the “Candlelight Processional.” The first round of celebrity narrators have been announced and we’re very excited at the new faces.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Get ready to fill your holiday season with songs at the “Candlelight Processional,” returning to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth starting Nov. 25. This time-honored tradition has been a part of the holiday season at Walt Disney World since its opening in 1971. Experience the celebrity narrators, the Voices of Liberty acapella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra and glorious massed choirs as they present a heartwarming retelling of the traditional Christmas story.

Because the holidays are best celebrated with others, we could not be more excited to again share this tradition with the community as we invite guest choirs from across Florida to take part in the show. Choirs comprised of Disney cast members will also return, bringing magic to their performances as they do in their roles every day.

The 2022 lineup of celebrity narrators features new and returning favorites, including actors from some of your favorite films, world-renowned singers, and other talented artists. Here’s your first look at this year’s narrators:

  • 11/25 – 11/26: TBD
  • 11/27 – 11/29: Edward James Olmos
  • 11/30 – 12/1: Raul Esparza (NEW)
  • 12/2 – 12/3: Whoopi Goldberg
  • 12/4 – 12/6: Isabella Rossellini
  • 12/7 – 12/9: TBD
  • 12/10 – 12/12: Josh Gad (NEW)
  • 12/13 – 12/14: Gloria Estefan (NEW)
  • 12/15 – 12/18: Neil Patrick Harris
  • 12/19 – 12/20: Mariska Hargitay (NEW)
  • 12/21 – 12/23: Cal Ripken Jr.
  • 12/24 – 12/26: Marie Osmond
  • 12/27 – 12/28: Courtney Vance
  • 12/29 – 12/30: Angela Bassett

Secure your spot at the show by booking a “Candlelight Processional” Dining Package! Packages go on sale Sept. 29. Find out more by visiting EPCOTholidays.com.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date.

More Festival of the Holidays Details & Full Narrator Lineup for Candlelight Processional Released

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

While the holiday season is gearing up at Walt Disney World, at EPCOT, we still have a few weeks until the beginning of the 2021 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! With the start just around the corner, Disney has announced the full celebrity lineup for the Candlelight processional and released a few more details on the upcoming event.

From a Disney Cast Member;

The calendar says November, so it’s almost time for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, happening during The World’s Most Magical Celebration! This is one of my family’s favorite events of the year, with so many wonderful things to see and do. When we stroll through the park and reach the magnificent Christmas tree in World Showcase Plaza, the biggest question becomes: Do we start on the left toward Mexico or go right toward Canada?

This year, we’ll probably start right in the middle and kick things off with the return of “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season” on the Showcase Plaza Stage. This stirring and uplifting performance of music celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa never fails to fill us with energy!

Venturing into World Showcase, there’s a wealth of holiday storytellers, musical acts, and other performers to discover, from the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs and their musical memories across the Great White North to the Chinese Lion Dance, Italy’s La Befana, France’s Père Noël and more. And from Nov. 26 – Dec. 24, Santa Claus pays a visit to The American Adventure, where you can step right up and let him know your fondest wish for Christmas.

Of course, we love to cap off a day of holiday fun at EPCOT with a performance of the “Candlelight Processional” at America Gardens Theatre. This year, the incomparable Voices of Liberty will form a living Christmas tree at center stage, flanked on either side by a choir of Disney cast members pouring their hearts into every song. And there’s nothing quite like having those songs played by a full orchestra and hearing the traditional Christmas story told by a celebrity narrator. The lineup of narrators for 2021 includes award-winning actors, singers, and television hosts … and two Disney princesses! Here’s who is scheduled to appear:

    • 11/26 – 11/28: Auli’i Cravalho
    • 11/29 – 12/1: Chita Rivera
    • 12/2 – 12/4: Jodi Benson
    • 12/5 – 12/7: Alton Fitzgerald White
    • 12/8 – 12/10: Bart Millard
    • 12/11 – 12/13: Lisa Ling
    • 12/14 – 12/16: Andy Garcia
    • 12/17 – 12/19: Ana Gasteyer
    • 12/20 – 12/22: Courtney B. Vance
    • 12/23 – 12/25: Steven Curtis Chapman
    • 12/26 – 12/28: Blair Underwood
    • 12/29 – 12/30: Pat Sajak

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starts Nov. 26 and continues through Dec. 30. 

a look at the celebrity narrators slated to appear during EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

Previously, DisneyDining brought you the exciting news that the Candlelight Processional will be back again this year at EPCOT during the 2021 International Festival of the Holidays! It’s probably some of the best news we’ve heard in a while!

And to add to the excitement, Disney has just announced the names of some of the celebrities who will be on hand as celebrity narrators during the Processional. A few are new, and some are Candlelight Processional “regulars.” So far, we’ve learned that the following celebs will join Guests at EPCOT this holiday season:

  • Chita Rivera – November 29 through December 1
  • Jodi Benson – December 2 through December 4
  • Alton Fitzgerald White – December 5 through December 7
  • Lisa Ling – December 11 through December 13
  • Steven Curtis Chapman – December 23 through December 25
  • Blair Underwood – December 26 through December 28
  • Pat Sajak – December 29 through December 30

You can see from the list that there are gaps in the dates, meaning those spots more than likely have not yet been confirmed, and more names will be added to the list as we approach the opening date for this year’s festival, which is November 26. This year’s amazing festival will run through December 30, 2021.

On October 26, Disney will begin to accept reservations for all of its Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. These exciting dining experiences include a prix fixe meal at select EPCOT restaurants and reserved seating during a Candlelight Processional performance.

This year, the available dining locations include the following four choices:

  • Biergarten Restaurant – $62 for adults, $35 for children
  • Coral Reef Restaurant – $74 for adults, $25 for children
  • Garden Grill Restaurant – $71 for adults, $46 for children
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room – $63 for adults, $25 for children

Beloved ‘Candlelight Processional’ Returns Nov. 26 for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via Disney Destinations

As part of our Halfway to the Holidays celebration earlier this year, we shared a sneak peek of some of the magical experiences coming during a spectacular season of holiday joy during the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. That wasn’t everything we have in store, though, and today we’re thrilled to share that the “Candlelight Processional” will be back this year, Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth! 

“Candlelight Processional” is a long-standing Disney Parks tradition, dating back to 1958 at Disneyland park. Walt Disney World guests have enjoyed the annual “Candlelight Processional” since 1971, initially at Magic Kingdom Park and since 1994 at EPCOT. After being greatly missed during last year’s holiday season, this magnificent production will once again grace the America Gardens Theatre with a live orchestra, cast choir, and celebrity narrator retelling the traditional Christmas story in spectacular and heartwarming fashion.

Since all these performers – including cast members, musicians, singers, and narrators – will be required to be fully vaccinated, this year we are not planning to host choirs from different community groups and schools. Instead, to maintain the grandeur of the performance, we are expanding our cast member choir to fill the stage with voices. We’re optimistic that the guest choirs will be able to rejoin us next year for this special holiday opportunity.  

We didn’t want to wait another minute to tell you this exciting news. Of course, we’re still working to confirm the schedule of celebrity narrators and details about “Candlelight Processional” Dining Packages, so stay tuned. We’ll share all the information as soon as it’s available.