2024 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT: Dates, Info & Tips
Candlelight Processional at EPCOT will occur from late November to December 2024 at Walt Disney World. This covers the normal narrator lineup, celebrity appearance dates, whether the dining package is worth the money, and our review of this Christmas-time show.
For those unfamiliar with it, Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World is the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator with music sung by a mass choir and performed by a 50-piece live orchestra. It’s one component of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which also includes the World Showcase Storytellers and Holiday Kitchen food booths.
Walt Disney World has not yet officially announced 2024 Candlelight Processional dates or details. If you want to be notified when official dates, celebrity narrators, or dining packages for 2024 are released, subscribe to our FREE email newsletter. The good news is that we can make some predictions with a high degree of certainty…
Candlelight Processional follows a familiar pattern every year–it’s a highly likely that Candlelight Processional will return November 29, 2024 through December 30, 2024 as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. It almost always runs Black Friday through the day before New Year’s Eve. With that said, Thanksgiving is almost a full week “late” in 2024, so perhaps Candlelight Processional will start earlier. We highly doubt that–it’s never happened in the past–but it’s possible.
That’s not the only thing it’s possible to predict about this year’s event, either! The other thing we can fairly safe forecast is that the lineup of celebrity narrators and dining package details will be one of the very last things released for Christmas 2024. For each of the last few years, Walt Disney World has revealed almost everything for the holiday season in June and July. At that time, they’ve also confirmed Candlelight Processional would return.
It hasn’t been until September or October that they’ve finally released Candlelight Processional dining package details and the celebrity narrator schedule. It hasn’t always been this way. It used to be the case that Walt Disney World would release a partial list of narrators in late summer along with dining package details, and then give another update around early fall. That hasn’t been the case for the last few years, though.
We mention this because it becomes a very common question by late summer, with fans worrying that Walt Disney World has “forgotten” about Candlelight Processional or something of that sort. While it’s possible things could go back to normal for the 2024 Candlelight Processional, especially with the Disney Dining Plan back, we wouldn’t bank on it.
Just letting you know that now so you don’t start worrying when August 2024 rolls around and Walt Disney World still hasn’t provided any concrete details. That’s normal. Or at least, it’s not abnormal. For now, here’s everything else you need to know about the 2024 Candlelight Processional…
Candlelight Processional performances are held in the America Gardens Theatre across from the American Adventure in World Showcase. There’s a reason one of the most popular events of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World is the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT: it’s a beautiful show that many guests find to be a moving and spiritual experience.
Calling Candlelight Processional one of the most popular events is no exaggeration–long lines plus expensive dinner packages have sort of contributed to us being “over” Candlelight Processional. We have really enjoyed it in the past, but it’s something that is a huge hassle if you don’t have a dining package or don’t mind watching from outside the theater.
Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator Schedule
Again, the 2024 Candlelight Processional narrator schedule has not yet been released for any dates from late November through the end of December. Even once it is, it’ll be subject to change due to scheduling conflicts (that happens from time to time with the celebrities, but is pretty rare).
However, since many narrators are the same from year to year (and around approximately the same dates), here’s last year’s Candlelight Processional at EPCOT narrator schedule for reference:
- Chrissy Metz (NEW) – November 24 and 25
- Luis Fonsi (NEW) – November 26 and 27
- Ann-Margret (NEW) – November 28
- Ashley Eckstein (NEW)Â – November 29
Simu Liu – November 30 and December 1-2- Bart Millard – November 30 and December 1-2
- John Stamos – December 3 through December 5
- Neil Patrick Harris – December 6 through December 8
- Marlee Matlin – December 9 through December 11
- Brendan Fraser (NEW) – December 12 through December 14
- Eva Longoria (NEW) – December 15 and December 16
- Joey McIntyre (NEW) – December 17 and December 18
- Sterling K. Brown (NEW) – December 19 and December 20
- Jordan Fisher (NEW) – December 21 through December 23
- Steven Curtis Chapman – December 24 through December 26
- Audra McDonald (NEW) – December 27 and December 28
- Lisa Ling – December 29 and December 30
Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
For what it’s worth, last year was the best narrator lineup we’ve seen since we’ve been attending Candlelight Processional EPCOT, roughly 15 years ago. There was something for everyone here, with big-name newcomers like Eva Longoria, Sterling K. Brown, Brendan Fraser, having huge fan-followings. Hopefully someone gets Mr. Fraser his cup of coffee before his performance, or watch out! (Sorry, reference to the wrong theme park.)
This Candlelight Processional narrator lineup is stacked from top to bottom. At least half of this list really appeals to us, and even those with whom we’re unfamiliar have fan followings. Also, and I’m not going to name names, but it’s nice to see a few narrators who (I think) overstayed their welcome and had been phoning it in not in the lineup this year. Fresh blood can be a good thing.
For the Disney Adults out there, John Stamos (our favorite narrator) and Neil Patrick Harris are the biggest names. For more mainstream millennials, there’s Joey McIntyre and Jordan Fisher. Actually…are those different generations? All I know is that Sarah loves the New Kids on the Block and Happily Ever After, so she’s more than just a little disappointed to be missing Candlelight Processional this year!
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now available. Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended and can be made 60 days in advance. Keep in mind that this is still subject to the 60+10 rule for on-site guests, meaning that all dates are now available. Most are sold out.
With that said, there is a reported issue impacting Candlelight Processional ADR availability. For whatever reason, you might not see any times available via the online system…even when there are options. Nine times out of 10, this is just because everything is booked up. But we have had several readers report scoring ADRs when calling despite nothing showing up via the My Disney Experience app or website. Don’t count on having similar luck, but it is something to keep in mind as a last resort.
Beyond that, watch for more availability to be released or otherwise open up. See our Guide to Advance Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World for tips & tricks to increase your chances of success in scoring a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, even in the days and weeks after they’re originally released!
Choose from 8 unique eateries at EPCOT offering Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. A meal at participating restaurants includes:
- At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates and one nonalcoholic beverage per person, plus a tagine and dessert platter for your party to share
- All other participating restaurants: an appetizer, entrée and dessert, or one full buffet/family-style meal, as well as a nonalcoholic beverage
- One guaranteed seat per person to the Candlelight Processional held on the same day
Explore participating restaurants and dining package prices, which exclude tax and gratuity:
Adult (ages 10 and up) |
Child (ages 3 to 9) |
|
---|---|---|
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 |
If you’re not able to score elusive ADRs for Candlelight Processional sit-down dining packages, fear not. 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’s Distinctly Patriotic Smokehouse: A Salute to All Foods, But Mostly Barbecued Meats ~ A Sam Eagle Craft Drafts & BBQ Joint. Same-day Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Last year, both Regal Eagle and Spice Road Table regularly had same-day availability. For most dates, it was relatively easy to score Candlelight Processional viewing via these walk-up restaurants than by booking Advance Dining Reservations at the eligible table service restaurants.
The difference is that there were only 5 table service restaurants last year, and this year there are 8. That’s still far fewer than 2019 or prior years, when there were 16 (!!!) participating table service restaurants in EPCOT and the Crescent Lake Resorts. Not only that, but 3 of those 16 restaurants offered breakfast dining packages in addition to lunch and dinner.
Don’t stress out if you’re shut out of ADRs and are “forced” to do the same-day Candlelight Processional dining packages. While the uncertainty might be unpleasant, the options are good. We are fans of Regal Eagle, but it’s not our ideal way to eat around World Showcase during the holidays.
Spice Road Table is without a doubt the way to go if you’re to do a same-day Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Yes, it’s $12 more expensive, but it offers at least that much more bang-for-buck, with a menu that’s more approachable than you might think.
We recently did lunch at Spice Road Table and had a fantastic meal–I guess I better get to writing that review!
On the table service front, we highly recommend Biergarten Restaurant. This is always our top pick 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.
If you’re wondering whether it might be worth doing plus some ideas for making the most of the Candlelight Processional Experience, we have some tips & tricks and a review in this post…
Candlelight Processional Viewing Tips
While the America Gardens Theater where Candlelight Processional is held can seat over 1,000 guests per performance, between 50% and 75% of these seats are reserved for guests who purchase dinner packages. All of these dinner package guests are guaranteed seats in one of the three nightly Candlelight Processional performances.
(Note: the percentage reserved for dining packages was far lower last year due to far fewer participating restaurants. Our guess is that the same will NOT be true for the 2024 Candlelight Processional. Staffing shortages are no longer as much of an issue, and more restaurants are likely to be added to the lineup.)
The higher the percentage allocated to dining packages, the more “competitive” the standby line for Candlelight Processional performances. Ridiculously long.
So long that if you’re a tourist or visiting on vacation, you should get a lunch or dinner package for the Candlelight Processional, especially when a popular narrator is presenting. When Neil Patrick Harris last presented, we saw people lining up for the 5 p.m. performance of Candlelight Processional around noon!
The dinner packages include a meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage (or full buffet “experience,” where applicable) and reserved seating at one performance of Candlelight Processional. For what you get, the dining package is not that expensive (or at least the cost is not badly inflated).
Your time on vacation is definitely worth the price. I know the three hours or so of waiting in line that we’ve saved by purchasing the dining package has been well worth it–to us at least!
If you elect not to do the dinner package and don’t want to wait hours in line, you have a couple of options. First, show up to the standby line ~15 minutes before the last show of the night starts. Depending upon the popularity of the narrator and how busy EPCOT is that evening, sometimes this last showing will still have seating. If not, at least you didn’t waste a ton of time standing in line.
In many scenarios, that strategy will work just fine. You may not have the best seats, but you’ll still be able to see the show and have a seat. If the theatre is already full, we recommend trying to watch from the walkway behind the America Gardens Theatre.
Cast Members will manage crowd flow back here in the walkway, but you can simply stand behind the theater (not in the walkway) and watch the show. This is actually a really good view for Candlelight Processional. Think of it as sitting (well, standing) in the balcony of the America Garden Theatre.
While we strongly recommend the dining package for those wanting good, guaranteed seats, if you’re on a tight budget or Candlelight Processional is not as much of a “must-do,” we think those strategies are good alternatives to save a bit of money, which can be spent on other holiday entertainment at Walt Disney World.
Candlelight Processional Review
A lot of people absolutely love the Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World. We like it quite a bit, but we aren’t absolutely gung-ho, call Disney Dining the very first day the packages go on sale, crazy about it like some people. It’s very beautiful, but definitely not the highlight of our trip.
Our favorite narrator for Candlelight Processional is Neil Patrick Harris. We’ve seen him a couple of times, and as NPH fans, we enjoyed this. I cannot say he really invigorated the show–it’s pretty solemn irrespective of host–but it was cool to see him.
A few years ago, we booked the package, but it was mostly to see John O’Hurley, or J. Petermann, as fellow Seinfeld fans may know him. More recently, we went to see Whoopi Goldberg, because seating was included with our D23 Magic & Merriment event package. Whoopi Goldberg was okay, but on the “cool scale” she just doesn’t stack up to NPH or J. Petermann for us.
Overall, Candlelight Processional, at the bare minimum, has “do it at least once” status. Some people love it to the point that it’s their favorite Christmas offering at Walt Disney World. Others find it too dry and slow, and are not moved by the story. I don’t think it’s quite fair to compare Candlelight Processional to a Christmas Eve church service, and I think there’s a good chance that even those who are not religious will enjoy it.
You really don’t know until you try it–and in order to try it, you really should book one of the dinner packages. With that said, if your budget doesn’t allow for both Candlelight Processional and the Christmas Party, I’d recommend the latter over the Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages without hesitation.
For comprehensive tips for planning your Christmas-time trip to Walt Disney World, check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World. Additionally, you can download our free eBook, Vacation Kingdom at Christmas, which offers tips for visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season. This eBook is 75+ pages, with 100+ photos, and tons of great recommendations & information! For more details on how to get this totally-free ebook, click here.
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
Are you a fan of Candlelight Processional? Which narrator have you seen for Candlelight Processional? Do you usually book the dining package or wait in line? Do you have any strategy for seeing Candlelight Processional without waiting in line? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Uncle Jesse for the win! <3
Love your site ! Any thoughts on the dessert parties coming back??
Thanks
Have you heard any murmurs regarding the Candlelight Processional? I checked and last year we knew on September 8th that it was cancelled so I’m assuming we’ll know officially by mid-September but was curious if you heard anything.
I absolutely love Candlelight Processional and during our 10-12 day stay I see it about five times, with breakfast or lunch packages. Hearing the full orchestra, having the celebrity readers and all the holiday songs and scripture readings are just absolutely incredible to me.
My absolute favorite part of Candlelight Processional is seeing John Sinclair as the conductor.
Really missed it in 2020 and so hoping that it’s back in 2021
Choosing between Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional is like choosing which Christmas stamps to go with at the post office. I suggest you do both. We love the Candlelight Processional but I agree that if you have to choose where to put your money definitely go with Mickey because you can see & hear the Processional for free but you can only get into the party with a paid ticket.
Don’t know how strategic this is but if you go to one of the few shows after Christmas there usually isn’t a long wait but it will fill up.
This could just be a coincidence, but I was just playing around on the WDW website and when I clicked on the Candlelight Processional page Stitch eats the page. Now I know we’re talking about Disney IT but maybe changes are coming 🙂
I was just talking about Candlelight Processional two days ago! I’m with you and would be surprised if it doesn’t return this year. It’s what we missed the most during our trip last year. We book a dining package for one night but usually linger outside the theater on other nights to enjoy the music and narrator. We’ve gotten lucky with our narrators and I have no complaints but I’m really hoping that Disney adds some new people. My highest hope is Yvette Nicole Brown since she’s been involved in a few Disney films/shows in the last year or two.
Love your site!
Is this paragraph from previous years?
“Bookings for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now open. Breakfast dining packages are again being offered for Candlelight Processional, in addition to 2 new restaurants (outside of Epcot) also offering dining packages.
I tried to find something and the 60 day in advance limitation seems to be in place. Thank you!
Yeah, that was a stray line from previous years–thanks for catching it!
Do you think will we be able to book our Candlelight Processional Dining Packages 60 days in advance, like for the restaurants?
Thank you
That would be my assumption.
I completely agree with you Tom! With things coming back as fast as Disney can make them happen, plus the crowds that not only Christmas will draw but the 50th, I will be shocked if Candlelight Processional as well as the rest of the Christmas offerings don’t return this year. Which is fabulous because we love all things Christmas especially Candlelight Processional and will be doing a makeup trip this Christmas that we cancelled last Christmas. We always do the dinner package. It’s expensive, but when you aren’t a frequent visitor to the parks, time is money and we have to eat anyway, so we feel it’s worth the extra money. Now where are we on a Christmas Country Bear Jamboree overlay??? 😉
We have annual passes, and because I am hard of hearing, I usually request to be seated to see the interpreter. Usually I don’t have a problem, although I did have one employee make a nasty comment, when I informed him by typing a text on my phone that I can read lips, he was suitably embarrassed. I’ve seen Whoopi Goldberg, whom I loved and I thought she did a fantastic job, as well as Marlee Maitlin, also fabulous. I believe we’ve seen a few others, but those are my 2 standouts that I remember.
Can anyone tell me when you are sitting in the audience which side of the stage are the altos on. Please email me directly. Thanks
It took me 4 months of checking everyday until I finally got Via Napoli. I wasn’t giving up! We are seeing NPH and I am thrilled. Saw Candlelight 7 years ago and loved it. So happy I am able to experience this again.
Is there a reserved section for the fireworks this year 2019? This is the first place I read that CP Dining packages have a reserved fireworks viewing.
Does the wheelchair accessible seating fill up just as quickly? My son is in a wheelchair.
On the dinner package reservations, what times correlate to which session of the processional your ticket will be valid for? I have been trying for years to figure out this out- obviously the earlier the rez- then you go to early show. Late rez- late show. But is there a list of time spans for correlating to which time slot for the processional? I know participating restautants are really good about ‘changing your time’ if requested but would just rather know and can not find this published anywhere! Thanks in advance for any information!!
We booked a dinner package for Dec 2 2019 specifically to see Neil Patrick Harris as he was shown as the narrator for dec2-dec 5 but his name is no longer listed. It just days TBD. Does anyone have any info on why and whether I should cancel?
Hi, Patricia! I panicked when I read your question because we are also so excited about NPH. I checked the Disney website, though, and they continue to have him listed 12/2-12/5. Thank goodness!
My daughter is singing in the Candlelight Processional on December 15. Is it the same choir for all three shows on a given day? How do you know which show you can attend with your dining reservation?
As a Florida resident who has visited Disney many times, can one buy a dinner package and attend the show WITHOUT purchasing a one day Disney ticket?
No. You require a park ticket.
How early should you arrive for the show if you are doing the dining package? Would you recommend using dining credits or paying out of pocket? Thinking about booking the package for dinner at either Akershus or Biergarten. Thanks!
Hi Tom, I was thinking that the candlelight processional this year starts on Thanksgiving day because that’s what you say here and a number of other sites but now I see the Disney site has changed it to November 29 though only a few narrators have been announced so far. Can you please confirm if it’s November 28 or November 29 the first one. Thank you