The holidays at EPCOT bring one of Walt Disney World’s most enduring traditions back to the America Gardens Theatre. The Candlelight Processional pairs a well-known celebrity narrator with a full orchestra and choir for a retelling of the Christmas story. Disney has now shared the 2026 narrator schedule along with dining package details, so here is what you need to know before you plan your visit.
A Long-Running Holiday Tradition
The Candlelight Processional is celebrating its 55th year at Walt Disney World and its 32nd year at EPCOT. That history has made it a fixture of the holiday season for many guests who return year after year.
Each performance brings together a 51-piece orchestra, the Voices of Liberty, a choir of more than 150 Disney cast members and community singers, and a celebrity narrator who reads the story aloud. The combination of live music and narration is what gives the show its distinct character, and every narrator brings a slightly different feel to the same story.
When and Where to See It
1st Performance
4:45 PM
2nd Performance
6:30 PM
3rd Performance
8:00 PM
Performances take place nightly at the America Gardens Theatre. There are three showtimes each evening: 4:45 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:00 PM EST. Because the same schedule runs every night, you have flexibility to fit a performance around your other park plans.
The 2026 Celebrity Narrator Schedule
Disney has confirmed most of the lineup, with a few dates still to be announced. Here is the current schedule:
- Nov. 27 and 28: Auli’i Cravalho
- Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Gary Sinise
- Dec. 2 and 3: To Be Announced
- Dec. 4 and 5: Whoopi Goldberg
- Dec. 6 and 7: Robin Roberts (new)
- Dec. 8 and 9: Jason Kelce (new)
- Dec. 10 to 12: Neil Patrick Harris
- Dec. 13 and 14: To Be Announced
- Dec. 15 and 16: Lauren Daigle
- Dec. 17 to 19: Ralph Macchio
- Dec. 20 and 21: Henry Winkler
- Dec. 22 and 23: Lacey Chabert (new)
- Dec. 24 and 25: Jodi Benson
- Dec. 26 and 27: Simu Liu
- Dec. 28 to 30: Eva Longoria
If a specific narrator is a draw for you, it is worth building your trip dates around their scheduled nights. Popular names tend to fill seats quickly.
Meet the New Narrators
Three names are joining the Candlelight Processional for the first time this year.
Robin Roberts is a co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, where she has become a familiar face to morning news viewers.
Jason Kelce is a former professional football player who now co-hosts the New Heights podcast alongside his brother, Travis Kelce.
Lacey Chabert stars in Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie filmed at Walt Disney World, which makes her appearance a fitting one for the season.
How Seating Works
Seating for the Candlelight Processional is first-come, first-served if you do not have a dining package. That means arriving early and waiting for a spot, and popular narrators can lead to long lines well before showtime. If you prefer a guaranteed seat, a dining package is the more reliable route.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
Dining packages combine a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant with reserved seating for one of the three nightly performances. Booking opens on October 14, and planning ahead is a good idea since these packages are a dependable way to secure a seat.
The packages include options across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the exact selections varying by restaurant. Depending on where you dine, you can expect an entree and dessert or a buffet, along with a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for guests 21 and older.
After your meal, you will receive a reserved seating badge for your chosen showtime. Your seat is guaranteed within the reserved section, but arriving early still helps you get the best possible view.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Candlelight Processional continues a tradition that has run for decades at Walt Disney World, with a full lineup of narrators spanning late November through the end of December. Whether you plan around a favorite narrator or book a dining package for guaranteed seating, a little preparation goes a long way. Mark October 14 on your calendar for dining reservations, and you will be set to enjoy one of EPCOT’s signature holiday experiences.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
