Disney just released the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2026 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, and it’s a good one. Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce, and Lacey Chabert are all stepping up to the podium for the first time, and they’re joining a roster of returning favorites like Whoopi Goldberg, Gary Sinise, and Neil Patrick Harris.

So if you’re mapping out a holiday trip to Walt Disney World this year, here’s everything that’s been confirmed so far, plus what you need to know about snagging a seat.

What Is the Candlelight Processional?

The Candlelight Processional is EPCOT’s retelling of the Christmas story, and it’s one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World. During each performance, a 51-piece orchestra pairs with the Voices of Liberty and a massed choir of more than 150 Disney Cast Members and community singers. Meanwhile, a celebrity narrator reads the story aloud as the choir builds into the shape of a giant, glowing “living Christmas tree” on stage.

The show runs during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and takes place in the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Because the cast rotates throughout the run, many guests end up planning their whole trip around catching a specific narrator.

2026 Candlelight Processional Schedule

The Candlelight Processional runs alongside the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which takes place November 27-December 30, 2026. Each night, performances happen three times: 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.

Disney has updated the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2026 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, and two big names just joined the schedule. Benjamin Bratt and Josh Groban are both making their Candlelight Processional debuts this year. That makes five narrators brand new for 2026: Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce, Benjamin Bratt, Josh Groban, and Lacey Chabert. Everyone else on the list has narrated before, so if you loved Neil Patrick Harris or Gary Sinise in past years, you’ll get another chance to see them this December.

There’s also one change to know about. Disney originally announced Auli’i Cravalho for November 27-28, but she is no longer on the lineup. As a result, opening weekend is back to To Be Announced. Disney lists all narrator dates as subject to change, so double-check the schedule closer to your trip.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Is the Candlelight Processional Free to Watch?

Yes. The Candlelight Processional is included with standard EPCOT admission at no extra cost. However, seating is first-come, first-served, and it fills up fast, particularly for the more popular narrators. As a result, guests often line up well over an hour ahead of showtime just to find a spot in the standby line.

How Do I Get a Guaranteed Seat?

The only way to lock in a seat ahead of time is to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Once you dine at a participating EPCOT restaurant before the show, you’ll receive a reserved seating badge for your chosen performance time. So while your seat is guaranteed, Disney still recommends arriving early for the best view within your reserved section.

When Can I Book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages open for booking on October 14, 2026. Because this event is so popular, packages tend to book up quickly once they go live, so it helps to have your preferred restaurant and showtime ready ahead of time.

Which Restaurants Offer Candlelight Processional Dining Packages?

In total, Disney has confirmed 16 participating locations for 2026, including Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, which returns to the lineup after a two-year hiatus. Here’s the full list:

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

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Candlelight Processional Dining Package Prices

Most packages include an entree and dessert, or a full buffet where available, along with a beverage. However, Spice Road Table works a little differently, offering two small plates, a shared tagine, and a shared dessert platter instead of a standard entree. Because packages are sold per person, you’ll need a credit card to hold the reservation. The prices below are per person and exclude tax and gratuity.

How the 2026 Prices Compare

Overall, prices are up across the board from 2025, though the increases are generally in line with menu inflation rather than a dramatic jump. Le Cellier Steakhouse and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall carry the highest adult prices, and as a result, they’re also the only two locations that require two table-service credits on the Disney Dining Plan instead of one. Meanwhile, Regal Eagle Smokehouse has the lowest price of the group, but it doesn’t qualify for the Dining Plan at all. Still, because it’s the only same-day option, you can book it the day of your visit without a standing reservation.

Is a Candlelight Processional Dining Package Worth It?

Our take: if there’s a specific narrator on your must-see list, especially one of this year’s new additions, a dining package is worth the splurge. Standby seating can work out fine on a quieter weeknight, but for names like Josh Groban, Jason Kelce, or Neil Patrick Harris, expect the standby line to move fast and fill early. Biergarten is our favorite pick for the combination of value and holiday atmosphere, while Spice Road Table is a smart budget-friendly alternative. Since you’re pairing the show with a meal you’re already planning to eat, choosing a restaurant you’d pick anyway softens the extra cost and takes the guesswork out of your evening.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Candlelight Processional

1. Pick your narrator first, then build your night around them. If a specific voice matters to you, check the schedule before you book flights or park days, not after.

2. Book your dining package the moment reservations open. Since October 14 tends to be a busy booking day, the most convenient restaurants and showtimes go quickly.

3. Arrive early even with a guaranteed seat. A badge secures your spot in the theater, not your specific view, so getting there ahead of time still pays off.

4. Bring layers. Late November and December evenings in Central Florida can turn chilly, and because this is an outdoor show, there’s no indoor backup.

5. Consider a weeknight if you’re going standby. Otherwise, weekend crowds and headline narrators combine to make lines especially long on Fridays and Saturdays.

Brief History of the Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional tradition at Walt Disney World dates back to 1971, the same year the resort opened. It later moved to EPCOT’s America Gardens Theatre, and as a result, 2026 marks its 32nd year at that park specifically, alongside its 55th year overall at Walt Disney World Resort. Over more than five decades, the show has featured narrators ranging from Disney legends to Oscar winners, NFL stars, and beloved television hosts, and all of them have read the same timeless story to the sound of a live orchestra and choir.

Stay Updated with Mouse Dining

Narrator dates can shift, dining packages can sell out, and Disney still has opening weekend left to announce for the 2026 Candlelight Processional. So it helps to have a reliable way to track it all. If you want to stay on top of every update, along with alerts for hard-to-get EPCOT dining reservations, set up your free MouseDining dining alerts at mousedining.com.

Whichever narrator you catch, the Candlelight Processional remains one of the most moving traditions Walt Disney World has to offer. So mark your calendar for November 27-December 30, 2026, and start planning your EPCOT holiday evening now.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Candlelight Processional?

The Candlelight Processional runs during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, from November 27 through December 30, 2026, with three showtimes each night.

Who are the new narrators for 2026?

Five narrators are making their Candlelight Processional debuts in 2026: Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce, Benjamin Bratt, Josh Groban, and Lacey Chabert.

Who is narrating the Candlelight Processional on opening weekend?

Disney has not announced the narrator for November 27-28 yet. Auli’i Cravalho was originally scheduled for those dates, but Disney has since removed her from the lineup. We’ll update this guide once Disney names a replacement.

Do I need a reservation to see the Candlelight Processional?

No, since standby seating is free with EPCOT admission. That said, a dining package is the only way to guarantee a seat.

How much does a Candlelight Processional Dining Package cost?

Prices for 2026 range from $43 per adult at Regal Eagle Smokehouse to $109 per adult at Le Cellier Steakhouse, and most restaurants fall somewhere in the $60 to $90 range. Because child pricing applies to ages 3 to 9, and all prices exclude tax and gratuity, it’s worth budgeting a little extra on top.

What’s included in a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?

Most packages include a meal, typically an entree and dessert, or a full buffet where available, along with a beverage, plus a guaranteed seat at one of the same-day Candlelight Processional performances. However, Spice Road Table is the exception, since it offers two small plates and a shared dessert instead of a standard entree.

Can I use the Disney Dining Plan for a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?

Yes, at most locations. Nearly every restaurant on the list accepts one table-service credit, while Le Cellier Steakhouse and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall require two instead. Regal Eagle Smokehouse, on the other hand, isn’t eligible for the Dining Plan at all.

Is there a same-day Candlelight Processional Dining Package option?

Yes. Regal Eagle Smokehouse is the only restaurant that offers a same-day package, so it’s a good backup option if you didn’t plan ahead or the other restaurants are already booked for your preferred showtime.

Which restaurant is the best value for a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?

Biergarten Restaurant offers a strong mix of price and holiday atmosphere thanks to its buffet-style German fare, while Spice Road Table is one of the more affordable options if you’re watching your budget. On the other hand, Le Cellier Steakhouse and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall sit at the higher end, but since both use two Dining Plan credits, they can be a better fit if you’re already on the plan.

How long is the Candlelight Processional?

The performance runs about 30 minutes. Even so, guests should plan extra time for arrival and seating, especially if they’re waiting in the standby line.