2026 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT Celebrity Narrators Announced: ABC, NFL, NPH, Hallmark & More

Walt Disney World has released the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2026 Candlelight Processional, with newcomers and returning fan-favorites. This post covers everything we know thus far about the Christmas-time special event, held during EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays.

This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from Friday, November 27 until December 30, 2026, making it one day longer than last year. Shortly before the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays starts, the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival ends on November 21, 2026 .

In addition to starting later, Candlelight Processional also ends earlier. Walt Disney World previously extended this Christmas season until January 6, 2027, which not normal. Christmas usually officially ends on December 31st outside of EPCOT, and unofficially lasts through early-to-mid January. Unlike other Christmas offerings at Walt Disney World, the holiday event at EPCOT always ends the day before New Year’s Eve to clear space for those festivities.

The good news is that Walt Disney World is releasing info about the 2026 Candlelight Processional even earlier than last year, which came almost a full month before the previous two years when the lineup was released in October. This is still late by historical standards from ~2019, but back then the Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) window was 180 days and the narrator lineup was trickled out over time, often after guests had booked ADRs.

The more recent approach has allowed Walt Disney World to reveal the list of narrators (mostly) all at once, rather than slowly expanding the lineup over the summer as narrators are confirmed. This has the secondary benefit of reducing the likelihood of last minute cancellations by the narrator should a better offer or obligation come along.

Walt Disney World vacation planners may not like waiting longer for the roster of narrators and dining package info (many have told us so!), but this arguably beats the alternative of a piecemeal approach that is incomplete initially and ends up changing, anyway.

The bad news is that there are a couple of ‘to be announced’ gaps in this year’s schedule.

The approach for the 2026 Candlelight Processional strikes us as the happy medium. Only two (2) empty narrator slots out of 15 feels like a fairly reasonable tradeoff for getting the lineup over a month earlier than in 2023-2024. The announcement is coming long after Halfway to the Holidays and after most tourists have already locked in their holiday-time travel dates, but still over a month before Advance Dining Reservations open.

In the last couple of years, we were really starting to see a lot of questions in the second half of September, increasing even more in October. At this point, most people are still thinking about Halloween. A release immediately after Labor Day of all narrators (minus two) strikes us as the best balance. Especially if it’ll take another full month to lock-in those final two slots.

This announcement basically fleshes out what’s happening this Christmas, providing new details about the 2026 Candlelight Processional during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays…

This time-honored tradition of Candlelight Processional 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.

EPCOT will once again share this tradition with the community, inviting guest choirs from across Florida to take part in the show. Choirs comprised of Walt Disney World Cast Members will also return, bringing magic to their performances as they do in their roles every day.

Now in its 55th year at the Walt Disney World Resort, and 32nd year at EPCOT, showtimes for 2026 will be at 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Walt Disney World has also released the lineup of celebrity narrators for the 2026 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Here’s a rundown of the roster, followed by dining package dates & details…

2026 Candlelight Processional Narrator Dates

This year, the following celebrity lineup will lend their talents to the performance:

• November 27 & 28, 2026 – Auli‘i Cravalho
• Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2026 – Gary Sinise
• December 2 & 3, 2026 – To Be Announced
• December 4 & 5, 2026 – Whoopi Goldberg
• December 6 & 7, 2026 – Robin Roberts (NEW)
• December 8 & 9, 2026 – Jason Kelce (NEW)
• December 10-12, 2026 – Neil Patrick Harris
• December 13 & 14, 2026 – To Be Announced
• December 15 & 16, 2026 – Lauren Daigle
• December 17-19, 2026 – Ralph Macchio
• December 20 & 21, 2026 – Henry Winkler
• December 22 & 23, 2026 – Lacey Chabert (NEW)
• December 24 & 25, 2026 – Jodi Benson
• December 26 & 27, 2026 – Simu Liu
• December 28-30, 2026 – Eva Longoria

Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

There are three (3) new celebrity narrators joining the 2026 Candlelight Processional lineup, which is a dramatic decrease as contrasted with the eight (8) newcomer last year. Also interesting is that only two of last year’s additions are returning to the rotation for sophomore seasons.

Honestly, this is fine with us. Last year, we lamented that there were maybe too many fresh faces, and they were joining the lineup at the expense of time-tested favorites. Most of those longtime favorites are back this year, with the exception of Josh Gad, Pat Sajak, Gloria Estefan, and Edward James Olmos, although I’m pretty sure Olmos and at least one other name on that list have “retired” from Candlelight.

Some of those celebrities have narrated Candlelight Processional every year (or almost every?) since we started attending in 2007. A couple of them are definitely not my personal favorites, but I know other fans love them. It’s nevertheless nice to see a well-rounded list of classics and new talent.

From my perspective, Candlelight Processional is all about tradition. It’s a ritual, and in more ways than one. Part of that is a certain degree of year-in, year-out consistency with the narrators as families have nostalgic favorites that they enjoy seeing each year.

There’s always been turnover from year to year, that much is expected. It’s also why most families who do Candlelight Processional annually have a few favorites. Accordingly, it’s nice to see balance with the 2026 Candlelight Processional, with something for everyone.

In my opinion, the last four years have featured some of the best-ever Candlelight Processional narrator lineups. There was someone for everyone, with big-name newcomers and plenty of returning favorites. This includes the 2026 Candlelight Processional.

Out of the two returning newcomers from last year, I’m glad that Henry Winkler is returning for 2026. He was at the top of our must-see list for last year, but had dates too late in the season for us.

He’s back even later in December 2026, and although we’re not scheduled to be at Walt Disney World in mid-December, we might just have to change that in order to see Barry Zuckerkorn narrate. (That probably won’t happen, but Winkler’s return at least gives me hope that he’ll be back again in 2027, and maybe earlier in the season.)

Out of the other returning narrators, our favorites are Gary Sinise and Neil Patrick Harris, and we probably could make either of those work with our dates (Sinise is the more likely of the two). Both are fantastic, and highly recommended. We enjoy NPH because he’s a diehard Disney fan who helped fight the good fight to bring back Dreamfinder and Figment. Meanwhile, Sinise does similarly–except in a more literal sense–with his Snowball Express retreat for families of fallen military heroes.

(Also, if I had a nickel for every time Neil Patrick Harris has made eye contact with my camera in the crowd, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice. See above and first photo in the post.)

All three newcomers are great. Robin Roberts has a great voice and story, and should be a fantastic addition to the lineup. More controversial, albeit unnecessarily so, is Jason Kelce. I’m sure some fans are going to cry “overexposure” or whatever, but I love Jason Kelce. He seems like a good, cool dude who’d be fun to hang out with. If you’re seeing too much of him, the great thing is that you can always watch something different. The technology exists! (Television remote control.)

I do think a more serious critique exists aimed at whether Kelce has the voice and presence to command Candlelight Processional. But I also think the same could’ve been said for Neil Patrick Harris before he hosted for the first time, and he’s become one of the best narrators. Kelce can do solemn and serious, and I don’t think he would’ve taken this gig were his heart not in it. Not as if he needs the money or a VIP trip to Walt Disney World!

Meanwhile, Sarah is all-in on Lacey Chabert. She’s a notable addition as the star of Hallmark Channel’s new “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True,” the first-ever Christmas movie filmed at Walt Disney World. Chabert has been in approximately 1,971 other Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, and I’m told she was in mainstream teen television and movies in the early aughts, making her a “huge deal” with women of Sarah’s generation.

From ABC to NPH to the NFL to Hallmark Channel, there’s something for everyone in the 2026 Candlelight Processional lineup. And honestly, I’m not too worked about anyone who is not returning this year (Susan Egan and Brendan Fraser are probably the biggest losses). It’ll be interesting to see who slots into those two remain spots. One returning fan-favorite and one newcomer would be a good balance.

2026 Candlelight Processional Dining Package Dates & Details

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are also returning, and can be booked online beginning October 14, 2026. Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 60 days prior to your visit. This means that on October 14, 2026, ADRs are available for Candlelight Processional up until December 13, 2026.

The remainder of the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be released on a rolling basis each day after October 14th. Keep in mind that this is still subject to the 60+10 rule for on-site guests, so if you’re staying off-site, you very well might get shut out even at the 60 day mark for those later dates during the peak weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Note that booking Candlelight Processional Dining Packages has been challenging for the last few years. See Secret for Scoring “Sold Out” Candlelight Processional Dining Packages from last year for info on this, and workarounds (that’ll likely still be useful in 2026).

Here’s the list of participating restaurants for last year’s Candlelight Processional Dining Packages:

• Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion
• Chefs de France – France Pavilion
• La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion
• Coral Reef Restaurant – The Living Seas
• Garden Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion
• La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion
• Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion
• Nine Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day only) – American Adventure
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion
• Spice Road Table – Morocco Pavilion
• Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion
• Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion

Choose from a variety of EPCOT eateries that offer Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. Here’s what’s included with your meal:

• At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)
• At Other Participating Restaurants: An entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (where applicable)—as well as a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)

Plus, you’ll get one (1) guaranteed seat per person to one Candlelight Processional performance on the same day.

Planning a last-minute visit? You may be able to purchase a same-day dining package, which allows you to:

• Dine without reservations at 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 Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.

In previous years, same-day availability was also offered at Spice Road Table. We suspect that’ll be true again on an informal basis, as it’s possible that last-minute ADRs will be available for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages at Spice Road Table. We wouldn’t bank on that, though!

We’re happy to see Biergarten Restaurant make the cut once again. This is always our top recommendation thanks to its jovial Christmas atmosphere, music, and value for money. Read Our Christmas Feast at Biergarten Restaurant for what the holiday time experience is like there.

We would strongly recommend those who want a 2026 Candlelight Processional Dining Package be online bright and early on October 14, 2026 or whenever their ADR window opens. These will sell out fast–probably far faster than normal. Even as ADR demand has otherwise dropped off precipitously this year, we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see these sell out for all available dates right on the ADR drop day. This is going to be more like Beak & Barrel (hopefully minus the system outage) than it is a normal daily ADR drop.

With that in mind, pack your patience if you’re planning on doing opening day ADRs for the 2026 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. As with any ADR drop days, glitches and slow-to-load inventory are distinct possibilities. We’d recommend being up earlier than normal, being on multiple devices, and budgeting more time than you might expect. If it ends up being smoother sailing, consider it a small victory–but prepare for headaches.

See our Guide to Advance Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World for tips & tricks to increase your chances of success! This will also offer assistance and reassurances if you get shut out of ADRs when they’re first released and need to fall back on something last-minute.

In terms of other basic info, guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and show time they have reserved. Dining Package participants will enter America Gardens Theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Seating is guaranteed for those who purchase the Candlelight Processional Dining Package.

If you have other questions, see our Guide to Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. While that hasn’t been updated with all of this new info, it should mostly be accurate. The basics of Candlelight Processional–showtimes, seatings, and more–should be more or less the same this year. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the Dining Packages and everything else coming to the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2026 Candlelight Processional? Looking forward to the food booths, live music, Holiday Storytellers or anything else during the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? ? Think there will be any pleasant surprises? Any tips you want to share to make the most of the experience? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!