EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional 2023: The Greatest Rendition of the Greatest Story Ever Told

One of Disney’s oldest, most brilliant traditions is the Candlelight Processional which takes place during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

Invoking the true spirit of Christmas, this performance – conducted by a live orchestra, booming choir, and celebrity narrator – is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences Disney has to offer.

In fact, I would go so far as to say The Candlelight Processional is one event every true Disney fan needs to experience at least once. (But once you do, you’ll likely want to make it an annual tradition!) No matter how many times you see the Candlelight Processional, this experience is always exceptionally moving and stunningly beautiful.

So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about Walt Disney World’s BEST Christmas event!

Walking in a Walter Wonderland

Our very own Walter Elias Disney was – perhaps unsurprisingly – the brains behind the EPCOT Candlelight Processional. Admittedly, our present-day processional is far more extravagant compared to his original idea – but I think he’d love it!

Back in 1955, Disneyland was getting ready for its very first Christmas, and, understandably, Walt wanted to make it something special. He had a “humble desire” for some Dickens Carolers to stroll around the park and perform in the Disneyland Bandstand, gracing park guests with the soul-stirring melodies of classic Christmas hymns.

By 1958, the Dickens Carolers had grown into a mass choir congregating around the flagpole in Main Street, USA. In fact, bleachers had to be constructed specially for the occasion! Once the tradition was firmly in place, the performance was finally given a proper name: the Candlelight Processional.

By the early 60s, the iconic “Living Christmas Tree” – as well as celebrity narrators to read the Nativity Story – had also been introduced to the annual celebration.

In 1965, Dick Van Dyke, who’d just brought Bert the chimney sweep to life in Mary Poppins, was chosen to read the biblical Christmas story. This was the last Processional attended by Walt Disney before his untimely death the next year.

However, the Processional continued bravely onward in Walt’s absence – all the way to Walt Disney World in 1971. This most festive part of Walt’s legacy was performed in the Magic Kingdom for 22 years before moving to EPCOT, where it is still performed today.

The Candlelight Processional

The Processional takes place in the Grand American Gardens Theatre near the American Adventure in EPCOT (although the beautiful music is usually audible from outside the theatre, too!).

A hush falls across the audience as the orchestra stirs to life, opening the program with a rousing overture. As the musicians deftly transition into the next song, voices can be heard singing along, but the stage remains vacant.

The lights dim.

Only a single, glimmering star can be seen center stage.

Then the voices grow louder, the harmonies of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” swelling into a crescendo. In the darkness, you catch a glimpse of light; the flicker of candle flame emanates softly from the back of the theatre.

It’s the choir – and each singer is holding a glowing candle.

Unlike most shows, they aren’t ushered in from stage left or stage right, but rather they walk through the aisles, truly in tune with the audience. After all, this is Christmas, when people come together.

The choir drifts angelically onto the stage, filing onto bleachers that, when filled with people who are strategically dressed in sparkly green robes, create a living Christmas tree.

When the first song ends, a celebrity narrator comes to the podium, just in front of the living Christmas tree, to share what has been dubbed The Greatest Story Ever Told – the why behind our favorite holiday – the “that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” story.

It comes from The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. This passage recounts the miraculous birth of a Savior named Jesus Christ.

The celebrity narrators are reverent in their readings of the story, and the verses are interspersed with Christmas hymns performed by the choir. Their jubilant songs help bring this timeless tale to life once again, 2,000 years later.

A smattering of possible choral selections includes “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Angels From the Realms of Glory,” “Silent Night,” and, of course, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

The Candlelight Processional is about an hour long and incredibly touching. It’s one of those rare occasions where you may need to bring some Kleenex into the happiest place on earth – but it will be to wipe away tears of Christmas joy, I promise!

Enjoying the Candlelight Processional in 2023

It’s been confirmed for 2023 that the Candlelight Processional will run from November 24th to December 30th, and it will be performed three times a night (5:15 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.) at the America Gardens Theatre. That gives you several opportunities to catch this amazing show!

While the Candlelight Processional centers on the biblical Christmas story, even those who don’t ascribe to Christianity have thoroughly enjoyed the majestic performance – it is truly recommended for everyone to experience!

Actor Howard Keel, who once narrated the Christmas story at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, said,

“I’ve never been a very religious person, but when you stand up there for all of those people with that incredible chorus and orchestra beside you, it’s a wonderfully moving experience. In fact…I was so moved I could hardly speak.”

Maximizing Your Candlelight Processional Experience: Tips for Seating and Enjoyment

Because the Processional is so moving, it’s also incredibly in demand – so here are a few things to know about securing a seat for this stunning seasonal event!

While the Processional can be attended at no additional cost with an admissions ticket for EPCOT, you might want to guarantee your seat by purchasing the Candlelight Processional Dining Package, too. When you get the Dining Package, you’ll eat a meal at an EPCOT restaurant of your choice before the show (yum!), and during your meal, you’ll be handed a special reserved seating badge that secures your place in the Processional VIP area. Dining Package booking opens on October 17th.

If you don’t want to splurge on a Dining Package (we get it – that’s expensive!), then we recommend getting in line as early as possible, and preferably for the first performance, as it tends to be slightly less crowded than the later ones. If the line is already looking long, try to flag down a Cast Member and kindly inquire what they think the chances are of getting in – that way, you’ll know if the wait is worth it. Thankfully, with three performances a night, you have a few opportunities to get in!

Note: the closer it is to Christmas, the more difficult it is to get a seat, and even the Dining Packages sell out fast!

The Stars are Brightly Shining

The celebrity narrator of the night may also affect your chances of getting a seat, as popular ones like Neil Patrick Harris tend to really draw a crowd! This year’s celebrity line-up is also incredibly star-studded. Here’s the full narrator schedule for 2023, provided by the Disney Parks Blog:

• Chrissy Metz (NEW): Nov. 24-25
• Luis Fonsi (NEW): Nov. 26-27
• Ann-Margret (NEW): Nov. 28-29
• Simu Liu: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
• John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
• Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
• Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
• Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
• Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
• Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
• Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
• Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
• Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
• Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
• Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30

All in all, the Candlelight Processional’s atmosphere is so special. From the sweeping orchestra to the Scripture reading and stately choir – it’s the perfect encapsulation of the Christmas spirit, perfectly blended with a signature sprinkle of Disney magic.

As Joseph Titizian wrote for The Walt Disney Family Museum, the Candlelight Processional is “a revered tradition and cherished Christmas gift from Walt that continues to inspire wonder, majesty, and joy in all who experience it.”

Featured photo: nazarethman from Getty Images via Canva