EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional is one of our favorite Christmas events. Enjoy the retelling of the Christmas story of the birth of Christ with a celebrity narrator at Epcot
Thank you to Swan Dolphin hotel for hosting us.
It is an awe-inspiring show with a celebrity narrator (see below who the narrator are for 2022), a 50-piece orchestra, and an unbelievably talented massed choir. You do not want to miss this experience.
Ages for the EPCOT Candlelight Processional show
The show is great for all ages.
How do you get tickets for EPCOT Candlelight Processional?
Tickets for this event are included in your park ticket to Epcot. It is such a popular performance it tends to fill up quickly. Last year we stood in the standby line for over an hour for the 5:15 show and did not get in so we had to wait for the 7:00pm show.
Is candlelight processional worth it
We absolutely love this event and think it is 100% worth it!
Candlelight Dinner Restaurants
This year we reserved a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, that gives you guaranteed seats for this highly sought-after festive show. You can either book a meal in advance which I recommend so you know you will have seats.
Same-Day Dining Package
Or you may be able to purchase a same-day dining package, which allows you to:
• Dine without reservations at Spice Road Table or Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue that day
• Enjoy guaranteed seats to a Candlelight Processional performance later that day
To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Spice Road Table or Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Character Meal
We booked a character meal at Garden Grill, Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast. It is one of our favorites. The food is family style and it is delicious. I especially love the grilled beef with chimichurri. The kids love that, many of the veggies are grown in the Living with the Land greenhouses! You can also ask for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with apple sauce for the kids.
During your meal the restaurant is rotating so you get to see part of the Living with the Land Ride. The characters include Mickey in his farmer outfit, Chip, Dale, and Pluto. We are so happy that character meals are back!!! The interactions were adorable.
After you pay they give you a sticker with the time of your show. There are two lines so make sure you go to the one closer to Japan which is for the dining packages. If you are a walk the line is on the other side of the theater.
What time can I book Candlelight Processional dining package?
Each restaurant has a limited number of reservations. Your reservation for your meal will coincide with the time of the show included.
Show times
There are generally 3 shows a night at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT.
Candlelight Narrators
Each night, a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, including Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The songs are woven in that make you dance in your seats as they sing songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir.
Disney Candlelight Processional Music
How long is Disney's Candlelight Processional?
The show is about 45 minutes.
Is Candlelight Processional a separate ticket?
No, the tickets for the Processional are included in your park ticket.
2022 Celebrity Narrators
• Simu Liu November 25 and 26, 2022
• Chita Rivera November 27 through 29, 2022
• Raul Esparza November 30 and December 1, 2022
• Whoopi Goldberg December 2 and December 3, 2022
• Isabella Rossellini December 4 through December 6, 2022
• Daymond John December 7 through December 9, 2022
• Josh Gad December 10 through December 12, 2022
• Gloria Estefan December 13 and December 14, 2022
• Neil Patrick Harris December 15 through December 18, 2022
• Mariska Hargitay December 19 and December 20, 2022
• Cal Ripken Jr. December 21 through December 23, 2022
• Marie Osmond December 24 through December 26, 2022
• Courtney Vance December 27 and December 28, 2022
• Angela Bassett December 29 and December 30, 2022
Where to stay
We stayed at The Swan hotel. And it is the perfect hotel for this event and any Disney trip. On the way to the parks, we took the boat which picks you up right outside your hotel. It drops you off on the backside of the park directly into the country. And on the way back we walked and stopped by the Boardwalk for some more live entertainment.
In addition to being an amazing location for both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, they have an amazing pool area that is perfect for families. And it is Santa’s Favorite hotel.
Santa’s Favorite Hotel
The Santa experience was so much fun. Santa arrives in a decked-out Christmas-themed golf cart with gifts on top. He is wearing shorts, a Christmas Hawaiian shirt, and sunglasses. He was so sweet with the kids.
After meeting Santa you can head inside to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and do arts and crafts. Everything is included in your stay but it is first come first serve so I recommend getting there as close to 6pm as possible.
Their rooms are great for families. We had a King room that had two balconies and a pullout couch that was great for the kids. And they have lots of dining options. We did grab-and-go options one night in the room and had dinner at The Fountains another night. They had great burgers and the desserts sounded amazing wish we had saved room for them
Mickey's Very Merry Party
You will also want to plan a night at Mickey's Very Merry Party. Mickey's Very Merry Party is a separate ticket event at Magic Kingdom that sells out quickly so it is best to plan in advance.
Star Wars Galaxy Edge
When you are in Orlando you will also want to plan a day for Hollywood Studios. Check out our Guide to Star Wars Galaxy Edge
Biibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
If you have young children you may also want to schedule an appointment at Biibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
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