Candlelight Processional
What is the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT?
The Candlelight Processional is one of Walt Disney World's most cherished holiday events. The crown jewel of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, this mesmerizing retelling of the biblical Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, live orchestra, and choir, to create a memorable experience full of holiday spirit.
With a history spanning decades, the Candlelight Processional is a time-honored tradition, capturing the magic of the holidays in a reverent and joyful performance. Here’s everything you need to know about this can’t miss event, including this year’s celebrity narrators and details on the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages.
The Basics
Dates: Nightly from November 29 to December 30, 2024
Showtimes: 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM
Location: America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT
What to Expect at the Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator who tells the biblical story of Christmas, accompanied by a full orchestra and choir. The narration is interwoven with traditional holiday songs, sung by the choir and enhanced by the orchestra’s beautiful arrangements. While some narrators may add their own welcome or closing lines, many simply stick to the scripted story. Each show is approximately 40 minutes long and is performed three times nightly during the festival from November 29 - December 30, 2024.
2024 Candlelight Processional Narrators
Each year, EPCOT hosts a rotating lineup of celebrity narrators and this year features both new and familiar voices. Here’s the list of the 2024 narrators:
Josh Gad - November 29 & 30
Nico Santos - December 1 & 2 (New Narrator)
Chrissy Metz - December 3 to 5
Whoopi Goldberg - December 6 & 7
Tituss Burgess - December 8 to 10 (New Narrator)
Brendan Fraser - December 11 & 12
Ralph Macchio - December 13 & 14 (New Narrator)
Gary Sinise - December 15 & 16
Neil Patrick Harris - December 17 & 18
Pat Sajak - December 19 to 21
Gloria Estefan - December 22 & 23
Edward James Olmos - December 24 to 26
Sterling K. Brown - December 27 & 28
Jodi Benson - December 29 & 30
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
Due to the popularity of the Candlelight Processional, securing a seat can be challenging. I recommend booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package for a stress-free way to guarantee a reserved seat for the show and a delicious meal at one of EPCOT’s world-class restaurants. Here’s how the dining packages work and what you can expect from each participating restaurant.
Dining Package Pricing and Participating Restaurants
Dining packages include an entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (where applicable), as well as a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older) and reserved seating for the Candlelight Processional.
Spice Road Table is a slight exception as the package includes 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert plate as well as a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older) and reserved seating.
Dining Package guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and showtime for reserved seating that night. While seating is guaranteed, dining package guests enter America Gardens Theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Guests who have not reserved a Candlelight Processional Dining Package will also be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, but seating is based on availability due to limited capacity. Valid theme park admission is required to enter EPCOT and admission is not included in the price of the dining package.
Explore the participating restaurants below:
La Crêperie de Paris (France Pavilion)
Cuisine: Inspired by the Brittany region of France, enjoy crêpes and galettes
Price: $53 per adult; $27 per child.
Spice Road Table (Morocco Pavilion)
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired small plates.
Price: $61 per adult; $24 per child.
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy Pavilion)
Cuisine: Classic Southern Italian dishes & wood-fired pizzas.
Price: $63 per adult; $27 per child.
Nine Dragons Restaurant (China Pavilion)
Cuisine: Pan-Chinese cuisine in a grand, lantern-decked pagoda
Price: $65 per adult; $28 per child.
Chefs de France (France Pavilion)
Cuisine: Classic & creative French dishes served in a brasserie setting
Price: $66 per adult; $37 per child.
Rose & Crown Dining Room (United Kingdom Pavilion)
Cuisine: British pub favorites, including fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
Price: $66 per adult; $29 per child.
Biergarten Restaurant (Germany Pavilion)
Cuisine: Bavarian buffet featuring bratwurst, schnitzel, and other German specialties.
Price: $71 per adult; $38 per child.
Tutto Italia Ristorante (Italy Pavilion)
Cuisine: Traditional Italian favorites as you relax in Old World ambiance.
Price: $75 per adult; $28 per child.
Coral Reef Restaurant (The Seas Pavilion)
Cuisine: Seafood-centric with options for non-seafood lovers as well.
Price: $78 per adult; $32 per child.
Garden Grill Restaurant Character Meal (The Land Pavilion)
Cuisine: Family-style meal with roasted meats and farm-fresh vegetables.
Price: Breakfast: $71 per adult; $43 per child or Lunch/Dinner: $84 per adult; $52 per child
La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico Pavilion)
Cuisine: Lakeside eatery serving classic Mexican dishes and premium margaritas
Price: $86 per adult; $37 per child.
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion)
Cuisine: Signature steakhouse with Canadian-inspired dishes.
Price: $104 per adult; $42 per child.
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (Japan Pavilion)
Cuisine: Upscale Japanese kitchen offering hot entrees & sushi.
Price: $105 per adult; $60 per child.
Teppan Edo (Japan Pavilion)
Cuisine: Lively hibachi house cooking up Japanese standards on tableside grills.
Price: $105 per adult; $60 per child.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse (American Adventure Pavilion) - same day dining packages only
Cuisine: American BBQ featuring smoked meats.
Price: Around $41 per adult; $24 per child.
To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Note: Prices and participating restaurants may vary, and some restaurants may offer lunch and dinner packages at different price points.
How to Book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package
Reservations for the Candlelight Processional Dining Package can be made through the My Disney Experience app or the official Walt Disney World website. Dining package availability is limited, and they tend to book up quickly, especially for celebrity narrators with high appeal. For the best chance of securing your preferred date and time, booking as early as possible is recommended.
Is the Dining Package Worth It?
The Candlelight Processional Dining Package is well worth it if you want to experience the Candlelight Processional with guaranteed seating and enjoy a meal beforehand. It’s a convenient option, especially during the busy holiday season when lines may start to form an hour or more before the show.
Tips for Making the Most of the Candlelight Processional
Arrive Early:
While seating usually opens about 15 minutes before the performance, lines will start forming much earlier than that! Even with a dining package, it’s a good idea to arrive at the theater early to get settled and enjoy the ambiance. Arriving early also gives you the best chance to secure an unobstructed view, especially if you're seated toward the back, so you can fully enjoy the performance without any visual distractions like trees or poles.
I also recommend avoiding sitting directly under the trees or you may take home an unforgettable memory—like the year a mischievous squirrel found a caramel during the show, surprising those below with a sticky drizzle! Our adventure planner Sam was one of those unfortunate people below and spent more dodging drizzle than watching the performance.Dress for the Weather:
The Candlelight Processional takes place outdoors in the America Gardens Theatre, so it's a good idea to dress in layers, especially if you're attending an evening show in cooler weather. Florida’s winter evenings can be surprisingly chilly, so bring a jacket or a cozy blanket. If rain is in the forecast, pack a poncho or umbrella, as the show goes on rain or shine! Much of the guest seating is uncovered and shows are not usually canceled for inclement weather.Plan Around Your Preferred Narrator
Whether you’re hoping to see a favorite actor, musician, or Disney icon, check the lineup and book accordingly. Narrators like Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg are especially popular, so these shows tend to fill up faster than others. Arrive early or consider a dining package for these high-demand dates.Capture the Moment, But Respect the Atmosphere
The processional is a powerful and reflective performance, so it’s best to experience it without too many interruptions. While photos are allowed, consider capturing just a few shots and then setting your phone aside to immerse yourself in the performance. The respectful silence adds to the magic, letting the choir, orchestra, and narrator shine as they share the Christmas story.Enjoy the Show More Than Once if You Can
Each narrator brings a unique flair, so if you have the opportunity, consider attending more than once with different narrators. Seeing how each celebrity infuses their personal touch can add a new dimension to the experience, and the holiday music and storytelling are bound to put you in a festive mood every time.Take Advantage of Additional Holiday Experiences
The Candlelight Processional is just one part of the International Festival of the Holidays. Make a day of it by exploring other festive offerings, like the Holiday Kitchens, the holiday storytellers at each pavilion, or Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition scavenger hunt for families.
After the Candlelight Processional, consider staying to explore the World Showcase, which is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Lights, festive music, and decorations throughout the park make for a magical nighttime experience. Plus, you can catch the fireworks show and holiday-themed projections on Spaceship Earth—an iconic way to end your holiday evening at EPCOT.
Following these tips will help you create a magical experience at the Candlelight Processional, one filled with wonder, warmth, and the true spirit of the season. Whether it’s your first time or an annual tradition, I highly recommend adding this experience to your Disney vacation for even more memories to take home with you during the merriest season on Earth!
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