The list of celebrity narrators for the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT this year has been announced. This annual tradition headlines the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which begins on November 24, 2023.
The EPCOT Candlelight Processional is a telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, a mass choir, a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets and the Voices of Liberty. The origins of the Candlelight Processional go back all the way to the first Christmas at Disneyland in 1955. This year’s Candlelight Processional has more new celebrity narrators than ever before. In fact, there are nine new narrators this year. Disney has shared a list of the narrators that will be telling the story of Christmas this year at EPCOT. Check them out here:
- 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
For those who want to experience EPCOT Candlelight Processional with a dining plans. These will be opening up on October 17, 2023. The Candlelight Processional Dining Package gives options for dining from one of seven different dining locations. These include character dining at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land pavilion to signature dining at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. People can also choose between breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Information about pricing and availability can be found at DisneyWorld.com.
EPCOT Festival of Holidays Storytellers
Around world showcase, there will be storytellers sharing their own holiday tales. Disney describes these storytellers in the following way:
Celebrate the season with laughter in the Norway pavilion as a mischievous Barn Santa makes an appearance; observe the wonder of a Chinese Lion Dancer commemorating the Lunar New Year; join a fascinating journey to learn more about Hanukkah festivities around the world; and rediscover the magic of special moments as Pere Noel shares the delightful words of a child’s letter.
There are also decorations to be enjoyed around World Showcase and beyond as well.
Other Holiday Offerings
There are other holiday offerings to be enjoyed through EPCOT. This includes voices of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season in World Showcase Plaza. This group sings uplifting Gospel and R&B songs that celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa. In World Nature guests can enjoy the magical and sparkling boat tour in Living with the Land. The greenhouses get decked out with beautiful holiday light displays.
Holiday Foods
Throughout EPCOT there are plenty of different foods to be enjoyed. There are over 15 Holiday Kitchens throughout the park with different holiday flavors from around the world. This year will include some returning favorites Slow Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce, but there will also be some new surprises coming. They will be announced in the not so distant future.
The cookie stroll will also be returning this year. The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a sweet way to experience the festival. Purchase five cookies from one of the official cookie stroll locations and then collect a matching stamp for each cookie to add to your festival passport. Once five stamps are collected, simply bring the stamped passport to the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and receive a specialty cookie. This stroll can be completed anytime through December 30th, making it a wonderful activity to enjoy throughout the course of multiple visits to the festival.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is another fun way to experience the holidays. This is a fun way to explore World Showcase. Simply purchase the map and stickers from select merchandise locations and then seek out the “tradition” that Olaf found in each pavilion. It is not required that the quest be completed to redeem the map at Creations Shop, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special festival holiday keepsake. As with all of these things, the keepsake will be available while supplies last.
Festival of Holidays Merchandise
There is also merchandise that will be available for Festival of Holidays.
The Festival of the Holidays Spirit Jersey features soft, faux shearling along with glimmering gold touches.
The Festival of the Holidays Cookie Stroll Cookie Jar is perfect for storing holiday treats.
There is also the new Festival of the Holidays Mug and Festival of the Holidays CORKCICLE Tumbler that support this year’s design that includes World Showcase icons. They can be found (along with other merchandise) at locations like Creations Shop in World Celebration.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is a wonderful way to experience the holidays and also learn about new ones. It runs from November 24 through December 30, 2023. Remember, to visit EPCOT a valid theme park ticket/pass and reservation is required.
What do you think about the narrators for EPCOT Candlelight Processional and the other offerings for the Festival of the Holidays? What are you most looking forward to? What narrator are you most excited about? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
