One of the most popular attractions during the festival is the Candlelight Processional — a chance to hear the story of Christmas from a celebrity narrator accompanied by a mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra. The show also features herald trumpets and the Voices of Liberty singing festive and moving holiday tunes.
More than a dozen narrators will grace the America Gardens Theatre this year, including three newcomers: Nico Santos, Tituss Burgess and Ralph Macchio.
Nov. 29-30: Josh Gad (Frozen and Frozen II)
Dec. 1-2: Nico Santos (Superstore)
Dec. 3-5: Chrissy Metz (This Is Us)
Dec. 6-7: Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 8-10: Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
Dec. 11-12: Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, George of the Jungle)
Dec. 13-14: Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid)
Dec. 15-16: Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump)
Dec. 17-18: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 19-21: Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune)
Dec. 22-23: Gloria Estefan
Dec. 24-26: Edward James Olmos (Miami Vice)
Dec. 27-28: Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)
Dec. 29-30: Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid)
The Candlelight Processional runs three times a night on the listed days: 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. The show is free to attend, but first-come seating fills up fast. Reserved seating and dining packages are available now through DisneyWorld.com.
Elsewhere at Epcot, the Festival of the Holidays brings to life holiday traditions from around the world. Be on the lookout for Holiday Storytellers in select countries in World Showcase to hear stories about Norway’s Barn Santa and Italy’s La Befana and explore the cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year and Hanukkah. In CommuniCore Plaza four times a day, hear gospel, R&B and holiday songs during the “Joyful! A Celebration of the Season” show.
And, like the other Epcot festivals, the Festival of the Holidays will have outdoor kitchens and the popular Christmas cookie stroll.
Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 30. Most experiences and attractions are included with park admission, but food and drink purchases, merchandise and upgrades are separate.
At Disney’s other parks, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs Nov. 8 through Dec. 20 at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will host another year of Jollywood Nights starting Nov. 9 through Dec. 21.
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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.