EPCOT Candlelight Processional 2026 Blueprint
The EPCOT Candlelight Processional 2026 runs from 27 November to 30 December 2026 at the America Gardens Theatre. To see popular celebrity narrators like Jason Kelce or Neil Patrick Harris without queuing in the standby line for hours, you must book a guaranteed-seating Dining Package. Packages open for online bookings on 14 October 2026.
What is the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT?
Disney has announced the 2026 details for the hugely popular Candlelight Processional, including information about the celebrity (you’ll recognise a few) narrators and dining packages, which include guaranteed seating for one performance.
For those unfamiliar with the Candlelight Processional, it has been a cherished tradition at Walt Disney World since it opened in 1971. This annual event is part of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth and runs from November 27th to December 30th 2026. The procession features a spirited retelling of the Christmas story, told by a celebrity narrator and accompanied by a mass choir of cast members and community singers, the Voices of Liberty vocal group, and a 50-piece orchestra.
What time do the EPCOT Candlelight Processional 2026 performances take place?
The performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot, which can accommodate approximately 1000 guests. Each show lasts around 40 minutes and takes place three times daily (these times have changed slightly from last year) at:
4.45pm
6.30pm
8.00pm
Who is narrating EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional in 2026?
New narrators announced for 2026 so far are:
Robin Roberts (co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America), Jason Kelce (former professional football player and Travis’s brother) and Lacey Chabert (star of the upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie set at Walt Disney World: Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True).
The full list of Celebrity Narrators (who usually have some connection to Disney, and often return yearly), so far, for 2026 is:
- Nov. 27 & 28 – Auli‘i Cravalho
- Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 – Gary Sinise
- Dec. 2 & 3 – To Be Announced
- Dec. 4 & 5 – Whoopi Goldberg
- Dec. 6 & 7 – Robin Roberts (NEW)
- Dec. 8 & 9 – Jason Kelce (NEW)
- Dec. 10 – 12 – Neil Patrick Harris
- Dec. 13 & 14 – To Be Announced
- Dec. 15 & 16 – Lauren Daigle
- Dec. 17 – 19 – Ralph Macchio
- Dec. 20 & 21 – Henry Winkler
- Dec. 22 & 23 – Lacey Chabert (NEW)
- Dec. 24 & 25 – Jodi Benson
- Dec. 26 & 27 – Simu Liu
- Dec. 28 – 30 – Eva Longoria
Once Disney announces who the TBC narrators are, I will update this list further.
While you can technically view the performance by joining the free standby queue at the America Gardens Theatre, be prepared to stand in line for two to three hours before show time, and even then, entry is never guaranteed for high-demand celebrity narrators.
Instead, to guarantee a seat, book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package (on sale from October 14th). We did just that last year, and it worked really well! More on that below.
Which restaurants are participating in the Candlelight Processional Dining Package?
Guests can choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner (selections vary depending on the restaurant).
This is what is included:
- At Most Participating Restaurants: A main course and dessert, or one full buffet (where applicable) along with one non-alcoholic drink (or alcoholic drink for guests aged 21 and older)
- At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and one non-alcoholic drink (or alcoholic drink for guests aged 21 and older)
In addition, each guest will receive one guaranteed seat per person to an EPCOT Candlelight Processional 2026 performance on the same day.
Note for 2026 Planners: Disney has increased dining package prices across nearly all participating pavilions this year by an average of $2 to $5 per adult ticket compared with last season.
Please note that not all restaurants participate. This year, the following restaurants are offering a dining package:
| Participating Restaurants | Adult (ages 10+) | Child (ages 3 to 9) | Dining Plan |
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Norway Pavilion | $87 | $59 | 2 Table-Service Meals |
| Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion | $75 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Chefs de France France Pavilion | $89 | $37 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Coral Reef Restaurant The Living Seas | $82 | $34 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Garden Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion | $73 – Breakfast $86 – Lunch/Dinner | $46 – Breakfast $55 – Lunch/Dinner | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| La Crêperie de Paris France Pavilion | $59 | $31 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| La Hacienda de San Angel Mexico Pavilion | $86 | $37 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion | $109 | $44 | 2 Table-Service Meals |
| Nine Dragons Restaurant China Pavilion | $70 | $30 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Same-Day Dining Packages Only) American Adventure Pavilion | $43 | $26 | Not Eligible |
| Rose & Crown Dining Room United Kingdom Pavilion | $68 | $31 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Japan Pavilion | $85 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Spice Road Table Morocco Pavilion | $63 | $26 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Teppan Edo Japan Pavilion | $89 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Tutto Italia Ristorante Italy Pavilion | $85 | $36 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria Italy Pavilion | $71 | $33 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
You may also be able to grab some same-day dining packages at the American Pavilion’s Regal Eagle Smokehouse, but these are subject to availability.
Top tip: 🌟 Fabulous Park Days Insider Recommendation
With such a wide range of pricing, choosing a restaurant can feel daunting. We attended this concert for the first time last year and booked the dining package at Biergarten Restaurant. It was a fantastic choice! The festive atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a quaint Bavarian village square; the live Oompah band is incredibly entertaining, and the buffet food is delicious, hearty, and plentiful. At $75 per adult, it remains one of the most reasonably priced, high-value packages available for the processional. Just remember that park tax and discretionary tips are not included in this base rate and will be added to your final bill.
When can you book the dining packages for EPCOT Candlelight Processional 2026?
You can book the dining packages online from October 14th 2026. We highly recommend securing an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADRs), which you can do up to 60 days before your visit. If you’ve never booked tables through the app before, read our complete guide on how to make advanced dining reservations at Disney World to ensure your account is completely set up before the rush on October 14th.
On October 14th, ADRs will be available for dates up to December 13th 2026 and will be released on a rolling basis after that. Reservations are expected to go on sale around 11am UK time, though it may be closer to 12pm.
Important Booking & Entry Information
Before you lock in your reservations on October 14th, there are a few crucial logistical rules you need to know to ensure your park day runs smoothly:
- Cancellation Policies: Always check the specific restaurant’s cancellation policy, which will be included in your confirmation email.
- Alcohol Identification Rules: Alcohol will only be served to guests aged 21 and over who present a valid form of photo ID. For international visitors, Disney officially accepts a valid UK driving licence or a passport (and a clear, high-quality photo of your passport on your mobile phone, along with your physical driving licence, is widely accepted at World Showcase locations!). Valid Forms of Identification to Purchase Alcoholic Beverages | Walt Disney World
- Credit Card Required: You will need a valid credit card on file to secure any dining package reservation.
- Seating Badges: Guests receive their physical Candlelight Processional seating badges at the restaurant immediately after finishing their meal. The badge will clearly state the date and showtime you reserved (you select this at the time of booking).
- First-Come, First-Served: Guests with badges enter the America Gardens Theatre via a dedicated package queue and will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Park Admission is Separate: You will need a valid theme park admission to enter EPCOT; admission is not included in the cost of your dining package meal. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, check out our guide on how to buy tickets to Disney from the UK & Ireland to lock in your date-based entry first.
If you are planning to visit Walt Disney World over the festive season and want to maximise your holiday budget with special events, head over to our comprehensive breakdown of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney’s Jollywood Nights to see which after-hours party is the absolute best fit for your family.
🎄 Complete Your Magical Christmas Strategy
Maximize your holiday planning with our free, Disney World strategy playbooks:
- Line-Skipping Mastery: Keep your holiday moving without standing in long queues. Check out our complete strategy guide to Disney’s Lightning Lane Passes.
- Avoid Expensive Blunders: Don’t let easily avoidable pitfalls ruin your holiday. Read the 10 Common Mistakes First-Time Disney World Visitors Make.
- Pick Your Park Days: Discover the Best Days to Visit Each WDW Park to naturally avoid the heaviest crowds over the festive season.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need a separate event reservation, but you must have valid theme park admission to enter EPCOT on the day of the performance.
For UK and Irish guests, the dining packages go on sale online via the Disney website and My Disney Experience app on 14th October 2026. Slots typically open between 11.00am and 12.00pm UK time, so make sure you are logged in and ready.
Yes! Disney officially accepts a valid UK driving licence as proof of age for guests aged 21 and over. However, it must be accompanied by either your passport or a clear, high-quality photo of your passport (on your mobile phone).
Disney reserves the right to change the celebrity narrator line-up at any time without notice. Because you are paying for the meal and a guaranteed seat, not a specific performer, dining packages are non-refundable if a narrator changes.
The performances take place three times daily at 4.45pm, 6.30pm and 8.00pm. Each performance lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Yes, a free standby seating area is available at the back of the theatre. However, for popular celebrity narrators, you will likely need to queue in the standby line for over an hour (and sometimes up to three hours), and entry is never guaranteed.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Andrea from Fabulous Park Days. I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World with my family since 2011 and over the years I’ve learned that good planning can make a huge difference to how a Disney holiday feels. I created Fabulous Park Days to share the practical tips and experience I’ve picked up along the way, helping families plan a Walt Disney World holiday that works for them, without feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there.
© Fabulous Park Days 2026