The Candlelight Processional takes place every year during the holiday season at Epcot. The show is a re-telling of the birth of Jesus by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir that is filled with cast members and guest school choirs from around the United States. The show happens three times each night at the America Gardens Theater in the America Pavillion at Epcot. Showtimes are 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM. The 2023 Candlelight Processional runs November 24 – December 30.
Candlelight Processional Narrators for 2023
One of the highlights of the Candlelight Processional is the outstanding lineup of celebrity narrators who lend their voices to the retelling of the Christmas story. Over the years, a wide array of notable actors, musicians, and public figures have taken the stage to narrate this heartwarming tale.
Guest narrators have included luminaries such as Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Jodi Benson, and many more. Each narrator brings their unique style and charisma to the performance, making every presentation a truly special event.
The 2023 Narrator list is subject to change. So far, the following narrators are confirmed:
- Chrissy Metz – NEW! – November 24 to 25, 2023
- Luis Fonsi – NEW! – November 26 to 27, 2023
- Ann-Margret – NEW! – November 28 to 29, 2023
- Simu Liu – November 30, 2023, December 1 to 2, 2023
- John Stamos – December 3 to 5, 2023
- Neil Patrick Harris – December 6 to 8, 2023
- Marlee Matlin – December 9 to 11, 2023
- Brendan Fraser – NEW! – December 12 to 14, 2023
- Eva Longoria – NEW! – December 15 to 16, 2023
- Joey McIntyre — NEW! – December 17 to 18, 2023
- Sterling K. Brown — NEW! – December 19 to 20, 2023
- Jordan Fisher – NEW! – December 21 to 23, 2023
- Steven Curtis Chapman – December 24 to 26, 2023
- Audra McDonald – NEW! – December 27 to 28, 2023
- Lisa Ling – December 29 to 30, 2023
Candlelight Processional Dining Package at Epcot
By reserving a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, you’ll be able to indulge in a holiday meal with your family, plus have peace of mind knowing that priority seating is guaranteed at this highly sought-after Christmastime event. This is the best option if you hate waiting in lines. For some celebrity narrators like Neil Patrick Harris, you have to wait hours in line and there is no guarantee that your seat will even be any good.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. each meal includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert or one full buffet or family-style dining (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage. Simply select a restaurant, savor the cuisine, then take your seat. The sights and sounds of this joy-filled family tradition are sure to lift spirits!
Options and Cost of Dining Packages
Each Candlelight Processional Dining Package includes one appetizer, one entrée, one dessert and your choice of non-alcoholic beverage at select full-service restaurants (or 1 full buffet where applicable). All dining packages include guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional.
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Norway Pavilion | $71.00 – Breakfast $83.00 – Lunch/Dinner | $45.00 – Breakfast $53.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
| Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion | $65.00 | $37.00 |
| Coral Reef Restaurant The Living Seas | $78.00 | $32.00 |
| Garden Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion | $63.00 – Breakfast $78.00 – Lunch/Dinner | $40.00 – Breakfast $50.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion | $104.00 | $42.00 |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day dining packages only) American Adventure Pavilion | $41.00 | |
| Rose & Crown Dining Room United Kingdom Pavilion | $66.00 | $29.00 |
| Spice Road Table Morocco Pavilion | $55.00 | $24.00 |
Same-Day Dining Packages
Planning a last-minute visit? You may be able to purchase a same-day dining package, which allows you to:
- Dine without reservations at Spice Road Table or Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue that day
- Enjoy guaranteed seats to a Candlelight Processional performance later that day
To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Spice Road Table or Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Make Candlelight Dining Package Reservations
To reserve your Candlelight Dining Packages, please call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Or call your fantastic Magical Travel agent and have them take care of all the legwork for you!
Video of Epcot Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional Soundtrack
Accompanying the narration is a 50-piece orchestra and a massed choir composed of hundreds of talented singers. Their harmonious voices and the majestic orchestral arrangements make the Candlelight Processional a symphonic masterpiece. The musical repertoire includes classic carols, traditional hymns, and other holiday favorites, creating an atmosphere of warmth and joy.
If you love the music Disney actually sells a copy of the soundtrack. You can pick it up here. Not only is this the list for the CD but it also is a look at the various songs they sing throughout the show.
- Candlelight Overture
- Shout For Joy
- Phylicia Rashad: And You Can Call Him Jesus,
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Il Est
- Phylicia Rashad: I Bring You Good Tiding Of Great Joy
- O Holy Night
- Phylicia Rashad: Glory To God In The Highest
- Angels From The Realms Of Glory
- Phylicia Rashad: They Rejoiced With Exceeding Great Joy
- Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy/Wem Three Kings
- Phylicia Rashad: They Found The Little Child
- What Child Is This
- Phylicia Rashad: Eternal Promise of Goodness and Light
- Do You Hear What I Hear
- Phylicia Rashad: One Solitary Life
- Silent Night
- Phylicia Rashad: We Still, Celebrate
- Joy To The World
- Phylicia Rashad: The Prince Of Peace!
- The Hallelujah Chorus
- Phylicia Rashad: May The Joy and Peace
- The Wonderful World Of Joy And Peace
- Away In A Manger (bonus track)
- Angels We Have Heard On High (bonus track)
At its core, the Candlelight Processional is a celebration of the universal themes of hope, peace, and unity. The Christmas story, with its message of a humble birth that brought joy and hope to the world, resonates with people from all walks of life. It serves as a reminder that during the holiday season, we should come together, put aside our differences, and embrace the spirit of kindness and goodwill.
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
Jennifer
Thursday 4th of October 2018
We are attending Disney December 1-6. We currently have dinner reservations at Akershus at 6:25 on December 6th. Will we be able to see the show as well? Is this something separate from the regular dining reservations??
Patty Staricha
Thursday 4th of October 2018
The reserved candlelight seating is a special Disney World dining reservation. You should be able to get a standby spot for Candlelight at 5pm and make your reservation. It's a Neil Patrick Harris night so it will be busy make sure to get in line ahead of the show.