2023 Candlelight Processional Narrators FULL LIST & Dining Packages for Christmas at EPCOT
Walt Disney World has released the complete narrator lineup for the 2023 Candlelight Processional and dining package details–plus EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays entertainment, food & Santa info. This post covers details we know thus far about the Christmas-time event.
For starters, this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from November 24 until December 30, 2023. Unlike other Christmas-time offerings at Walt Disney World, the holiday festivities at EPCOT always end before New Year’s Eve to clear space for NYE. It remains to be seen what Walt Disney World will do for New Year’s in light of Disney100 and the new Luminous: The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular, but we’re expecting it to be a normal NYE at EPCOT.
Walt Disney World is once again releasing info about this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays later than normal. Honestly, we thought the holdup with the Candlelight Processional narrator lineup might’ve been the actors’ strike. Given the celebrities in the lineup, that is obviously not the case! This announcement basically fleshes out what is happening, providing new details about the “choirs singing, chestnuts roasting, kitchens cooking, cookies baking or gifts unwrapping” at EPCOT for the 2023 holiday season…
Let’s begin with some ‘addition by subtraction’ news. The absence of Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Rewind all but confirms that Christmas overlay of Cosmic Rewind was a one and done. That debuted last year, and in it, the Guardians traded in their classic hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams. Guests blast off to the tune of a holiday single, bringing joy to Xandar and Terra.
If you missed that, you did not miss much. The only thing that changed was the music, and it didn’t fit the attraction very well at all. For that to be a one and done, my guess is that guest feedback was resoundingly negative. (We hated it.)
In World Nature, Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights will return. During the Festival, ride Living with the Land for a special, sparkling boat tour. Enjoy a peaceful cruise and view twinkling holiday light displays throughout the greenhouses.
We absolutely love Living with the Land. It’s one of the Walt Disney World attractions we do the most. We also absolutely love Christmas lights. Put those two things together, and we are squarely the target audience for Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights. Unsurprisingly, we absolutely love this overlay. I could go on and on about this, gushing about the calming atmosphere, thoroughness, and understated simplicity of it all. Suffice to say, do not miss Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights!!!
In terms of entertainment, Walt Disney World has teased that the Holiday Storytellers, musical acts, and other performers will bring holiday traditions of the world to life around World Showcase. No specifics as to which ones will be back, but that’s usually not revealed until shortly before the holiday season starts.
One new addition (or change) is that Santa Claus himself will visit with guests at the Odyssey pavilion from November 24 through December 24, 2023. Don your festive best for the perfect photo op and make sure you’ve been nice!
You can also sing along with the exuberant voices of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season in World Showcase Plaza. With uplifting Gospel and R&B songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa, JOYFUL! returns once again for the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. (They’ve gotta be one of the longest-running seasonal acts at EPCOT at this point.)
Walt Disney World has also shared details about the 2023 Candlelight Processional. This time-honored tradition 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.
Walt Disney World has also released the FULL lineup of narrators for the 2023 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. You can see this show nightly at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM or 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT’s World Showcase.
This year, the following celebrity lineup will lend their talents to the performance:
- Chrissy Metz (NEW) – November 24 and 25, 2023
- Luis Fonsi (NEW) – November 26 and 27, 2023
- Ann-Margret (NEW) – November 28 and 29, 2023
- Simu Liu – November 30 and December 1-2, 2023
- John Stamos – December 3 through December 5, 2023
- Neil Patrick Harris – December 6 through December 8, 2023
- Marlee Matlin – December 9 through December 11, 2023
- Brendan Fraser (NEW) – December 12 through December 14, 2023
- Eva Longoria (NEW) – December 15 and December 16, 2023
- Joey McIntyre (NEW) – December 17 and December 18, 2023
- Sterling K. Brown (NEW) – December 19 and December 20, 2023
- Jordan Fisher (NEW) – December 21 through December 23, 2023
- Steven Curtis Chapman – December 24 through December 26, 2023
- Audra McDonald (NEW) – December 27 and December 28, 2023
- Lisa Ling – December 29 and December 30, 2023
Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
I’m going to call it right now: this is the best Candlelight Processional narrator lineup since we’ve been doing the event at EPCOT (I want to say our first time was 2008?). There’s truly someone for everyone here, with big-name newcomers like Brendan Fraser, Eva Longoria, and Sterling K. Brown having huge fan-followings. Hopefully someone gets Mr. Fraser his cup of coffee before his performance, or watch out!
Seriously though, there are a lot of big names that I actually recognize. I would love to see any of those three–Brendan Fraser, Eva Longoria, or Sterling K. Brown–and the other newcomers should appeal to others. (Also, and I’m not going to name names, but it’s nice to see a few mainstays that I think overstayed their welcome and had been phoning it in not in the 2023 Candlelight Processional lineup.)
Then there’s Joey McIntyre and Jordan Fisher, who will appeal to different generations and different fandoms for very different reasons. Actually…maybe there’s more audience overlap than thought among the Disney Adults of my generation. 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!
Then there are returning fan favorites like John Stamos and Neil Patrick Harris, who are arguably two of the top Candlelight Processional narrators of all-time. Both are also big Walt Disney World fans themselves, and can frequently be spotted in the parks during their weekends, which I appreciate as a fan. (Of the current ‘generation’ of Candlelight Processional narrators, they’re my favorites. I know, very ‘basic’ picks, but they’re both great!)
The biggest ‘missing’ names are probably Edward James Olmos and Pat Sajak, but hopefully they’re enjoying their respective retirements. All in all, a really good lineup with a lot of range that we’re guessing Candlelight Processional fans will appreciate!
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are also returning, and can be booked online beginning October 17, 2023. Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 60 days prior to your visit. This means that on October 17, ADRs are available for Candlelight Processional up until December 16, 2023. (Also subject to the 60+10 rule for on-site guests.)
The remainder of the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be released on a rolling basis each day after October 17. Again, 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.
Here are details about the 2023 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages at select EPCOT eateries…
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 |
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.
(Note that this is a change for the 2023 Candlelight Processional. Last year, 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 2023 Candlelight Processional Dining Package be online bright and early on October 17, 2023. These will sell out fast–probably far faster than normal. With fewer options (meaning less total dining capacity) plus pent-up demand (still ongoing for this since it was slower to return), we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see these sell out for all available dates right on the ADR drop day.
With that in mind, pack your patience if you’re planning on doing opening day ADRs for the 2023 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!
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 2023 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
Are you excited to experience the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Excited for Candlelight Processional? What do you think of our claim that the 2023 Candlelight Processional has the best narrator lineup in recent memory? Looking forward to the Holiday Kitchens, live music, or anything else? 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!
This was THE #1 HIGHLIGHT of my entire company conference Disney World trip in December 2023. The concert was even better than I’d hoped. The complex arrangements and the masterful attention to detail gave this concert a magical feeling that catapulted it to truly classic status. I had tears in my eyes. SO moving. Broadway level quality and showmanship, but still grounded in the traditional classic carols of Christmas. Particularly delightful in my mind was the way Derric Johnson’s arrangements elevated even somewhat obscure tracks like the Gaither tune “Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy”.
Tom, thank you so much for the guidance found here, which allowed me to snag one of the preferred meal/show tickets. When we return with our girls, we will 100% be attending this event. NOT TO BE MISSED!
When I’ve checked the dining package page before, it said to check back later. Today (11/16, a day before it is supposed to open), you can select date and party size, but it shows no availability on any day. So did it open early and all the reservations got snatched up, or have that not “loaded” them yet, but just have the structure in place?
Will the package ADRs open at midnight or 6 am?
It’s likely the same expected timing as a “dining event” ADR. Tom’s guide for such things is here: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/strategy-making-difficult-dining-reservations-disney-world/
This may be a dumb question, but how to I make the reservation? Will I see it offered in the “make a dining reservation” section of the my Disney experience app? And if so, how I look for it? Also, if I am park hopping to Epcot after 2pm, will that cause any issues that my primary park isn’t Epcot?
I’m missing John Stamos and Neil Patrick Harris by less than a week. Call me basic, but I definitely tried to re-arrange my trip to be there for them (it doesn’t work for us, but I definitely tried)!
I have reservations for garden grill breakfast on Dec 8 how do I change that to the dining package the morning of Oct 17
Based on my past experience several years ago, you will need to book a new reservation and cancel the current reservation.
Now’s the time I REALLY wish I lived in FL. I am an Annual Passholder and would be at Epcot to see several of these performers. I would particularly like to see Chrissy Metz, Ann-Margret (!), John Stamos, Brendan Fraser, Joey McIntyre,
Sterling K. Brown, and Audra McDonald. In previous years, we’ve seen NPH, Whoopi, John O’Hurley, and Gary Sinise. BTW … I never spring for the Dinner package. I just find a place to stand that has a good sightline (although years ago you could get a seat just by showing up). The show isn’t long enough for me to NEED a seat and I can save that money for another trip.
So excited for the overall lineup!!! Less excited for the narrator we will have as I’m not familiar with him, but I’m sure the whole experience will still be amazing. Super jealous of the people that get Brendan Fraser. LOL!
Thank you so much for this information! This will be our first year attempting to go to the Candlelight Processional. If we get lunch ADR’s, is it more likely we will get the early show for the Processional? Or does it not matter?
I see that Angela Bassett is not on this year’s Epcot list. Maybe your prediction that she will lead the Disneyland Processional is turning out to be true! We’d love to see John Stamos but he’s so early this year that our kid will be in finals. Maybe next year.
Just to be clear, that Angela Bassett ‘prediction’ is more like a random, out of left field guess. I’ve been right once in the last 7-8 years, and that was when I made 2-3 guesses. Also, I forgot that Chris Pine is going to be in ‘Wish.’ That might be a better guess.
Hello Tom,
What is your preferred time to see this event?
Thanks!
No real preference–do whatever works best with your schedule.
My first and only (therefore=best) was Jodi Benson a few years ago. Was she a phoning-it-in-er?
I haven’t seen Jodi Benson narrate Candlelight Processional, but she does a lot with Disney/D23 and is amazing in everything I’ve seen (although most of that is very unserious or musical). Nevertheless, I’m betting she was great and took the role seriously.
Joey McIntyre is going to be amazing- he is an underrated theatrical performer. And do not underestimate the Blockheads- that fandom is strong and willing to travel!
I am hoping to get to Epcot during the holidays one day. Maybe now that we are DVC members it is more likely, but pulling out son from school is becoming more difficult to justify the older he gets. I feel the Living with the Lands holiday overlay is sooo suited for me, I will one day find a way to make it work!
What time do ADR bookings typically open up?
Hi! I feel like I hit the lottery that NPH is narrating on the night I already have le cellier reservations (for 9 split between 2 tables). Does anyone know if they let existing reservations be upgraded to the processional dining package? Or if I’ll have to play the online game again? Thanks!
It’s a separate reservation. Keep trying to book the package and if you succeed then cancel the other.
Others have mentioned that having the dining package sometimes doesn’t help much with very popular narrators. Epcot oversells and people with and without reservations start lining up very early, like hours beforehand to make sure they get a seat. Dining package may still need to line up at least an hour ahead.
This is an incredible line up. Although we saw Pat Sajak a few years ago and he did a wonderful job. But please keep quiet about Biergarten, don’t let the word out. We have been doing that one since 2005!
Extremely happy and excited. Whomever did this setup is my hero, as we have exactly who’d we want. Also, as our ADRs open on the 11th, going back on the 17th is great as we won’t have to fight as hard to get ALL the ADRs we want. Thanks for always keeping us updated, Tom!
Interesting seeing someone like Steven Curtis Chapman on that lineup given the current evangelical/conservative perception of Walt Disney World.
I’d love to see Simu Liu or Jordan Fisher!
I’ve said all of this before, but I really don’t think most people are actually invested in the culture wars (and that goes for both “sides” of it). It’s the domain of a vocal minority of people who are chronically online.
Candlelight Processional is at its core a religious offering, so it’s not particularly surprising to see a Christian musician narrate it. (If anything, the very existence of things like Candlelight Processional undermines some of the loudest voices on the frontlines of the culture wars. Well, it would if they were actually arguing in good faith and not just trying to manufacture outrage.)
As a relatively young fan and practitioner of traditional Christmas choral singing, I’m hoping I can attend this event without having to endure bumper-sticker mutterings of critique from the other guests. That said, I agree with Tom’s contention that the loudly invested tend to vocalize their arguments when they are chronically online. In my experience, those same people tend to be forgettable wallflowers in person, at least, when they appear in person without certain accessories they can’t bring into WDW. If that’s too dark, feel free to delete this comment. With the way things have been lately, I feel obligated to consider the baggage that comes with intentionally signing up for certain things these days.
Excited to possibly try it this year. I am a little confused on your wording, are dining packages for all dates available on 10/17, or if the Processional date is after Christmas, is it subject to the normal 60 day rule?
Sorry for the confusion–it’ll follow the typical 60 (+10) day rule for ADRs. I’ve updated the post to clarify this!
Any chance the Living with the Land overlay is up on 11/11?
Historically, that’s usually been up right after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, if you’re going to other parks as well around that date, you should be there in time to see the World Famous *Jingle* Cruise arrive before Veterans Day!