In a sign that things are slowly returning to normal at Walt Disney World, the “Candlelight Processional” with their celebrity narrators are returning to EPCOT this holiday season.
According to Disney, the “Candlelight Processional,” is a Disney Parks tradition dating back to 1958 at Disneyland park. The show, which features celebrity narrators retelling the story of the nativity from the Gospel of Luke, includes a performance from the Voices of Liberty, a choir of Disney cast members, and a live orchestra. The show is performed multiple times on select dates at the America Gardens Theatre, across from the American Adventure.
This year’s celebrity narrators will include Chita Rivera, Jodi Benson, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lisa Ling, Steven Curtis Chapman, Blair Underwood, and Pat Sajak with more names being added over the next few weeks. Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are also returning and can be booked online beginning Oct. 26.
This year, the following celebrity lineup will lend their talents to the performance:
- Chita Rivera
November 29 through December 1 - Jodi Benson
December 2 through December 4 - Alton Fitzgerald White
December 5 through December 7 - Lisa Ling
December 11 through December 13 - Steven Curtis Chapman
December 23 through December 25 - Blair Underwood
December 26 through December 28 - Pat Sajak
December 29 through December 30
More celebrity narrators and dates will be announced soon.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth features cherished cultural traditions, savory seasonal flavors, and costumed storytellers from the 11 nations around World Showcase.
During the festival, holiday traditions of the world come to life around World Showcase, such as:
- Las Posadas at the Mexico pavilion
- Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada pavilion
- Chinese Lion Dance celebrating the new year in the China pavilion
- A Hanukkah storyteller along the promenade and delightful holiday storytellers in France, Italy, Japan, Norway and the United Kingdom
- And outside The American Adventure, you can wave hello to Santa Claus as he gets ready for the big day.
The Holiday Kitchens will cook up treasured recipes with familiar tastes and flavors from around the globe – from slow-roasted turkey and holiday pot pie to pumpkin gingerbread cheesecake and peppermint sundaes. A new offering, Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen, will dish out fire-roasted chestnuts and cinnamon-glazed almonds and cashews, filling the air with delightful aromas.
The popular Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. Purchase any five cookies – such as the SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS Bars or a Chocolate Crinkle Cookie made with DOVE® Dark Chocolate – from any of the official Cookie Stroll locations featured in the Festival Passport and collect a matching stamp. After collecting all five stamps, bring the completed passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats to receive a specialty cookie!
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is another fun family activity for guests of all ages. Search for holiday traditions Olaf has gathered from around the world – and lost along the way! Purchase the map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations while supplies last.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. Disney will be releasing additional details in the next couple of weeks.
