The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns November 24 to December 30, 2023, and Walt Disney World has released the list of Candlelight Processional narrators and more details for this year’s event.
Candlelight Processional
Nightly through the festival, the Candlelight Processional offers a celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas with a mass choir accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty.
Performances take place nightly at 5:15pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT.
Here is this year’s schedule of celebrity narrators:
- 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
One of the best ways to guarantee a seat for the often packed seatings is to purchase one of the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages.
Reservations open October 17, 2023, and we’ll have all your options and how to book before that date.
Holiday Food and Drink
There will be more than 15 Holiday Kitchens featuring holiday favorites from around the world for this year’s Festival of the Holidays, and we’ll have our annual foodie guide up soon.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll also returns, and you can read what I thought of last year’s offerings, along with some Holiday Kitchen reviews.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Set off on an adventure with Olaf for his Holiday Traditions Expedition Scavenger Hunt around the World Showcase.
Purchase a map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations and seek out the “tradition” that Olaf has found in each pavilion.
Whether or not you complete the quest, you can redeem your map at Creations Shop, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special festival holiday keepsake.
Live Entertainment
Head to the World Showcase Plaza for “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season” featuring a live band performing uplifting Gospel, R&B and holiday songs. Performances will be at 1:15pm, 2:20pm, 3:25pm and 4:30pm daily.
There will also be holiday storytellers throughout the World Showcase. Here is where you can find them:
Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
Sunday through Thursday
¡Feliz Navidad! Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.
Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
Daily
Celebrate the season with laughter as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.
China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
Daily
Catch a glimpse of a colorful performance that brings good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year.
Italy Pavilion – La Befana
Daily
Come hear the tale of La Befana, the kindhearted witch who visits sleeping young children on the Eve of the Epiphany.
Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
Daily
Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!
Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
Daily
Witness a storyteller recount traveling abroad to explore the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah around the world.
France Pavilion – Pere Noel
Daily
Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.
United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
Daily
Join Father Christmas as he rings in the season, sharing the traditions of the United Kingdom with good cheer.
Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Daily
Explore holiday customs from the various regions of Canada on a musical tour of the Great White North with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs.
Photos With Santa
Santa Claus himself will visit with guests at the Odyssey pavilion from November 24 through December 24. This is a free photo op, and if it’s like last year, it is accessible to those with mobility aids, too.
Festival Merchandise
And of course there will be EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays merchandise to purchase to remember your trip to EPCOT. Here are a few of the festival items that will be available:
Thank you for sharing the exciting updates on the 2023 Candlelight Processional narrators and other festive activities at EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays. The celebrity lineup looks fantastic and the added holiday touches around the park surely make it a magical place to celebrate the season. It’s always a pleasure to read about the joyous events Disney has in store!
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