Disney Just Announced a MAJOR Change to EPCOT’s 2026 Candlelight Processional Lineup!
One of Disney World’s most beloved voices is returning to EPCOT this Christmas, and he’ll be kicking off one of the resort’s most cherished holiday traditions!
Walt Disney World has officially confirmed that Jordan Fisher will narrate the Candlelight Processional on November 27 and 28, 2026, filling the final opening-weekend dates on this year’s celebrity narrator schedule.
For Disney fans, Fisher is a particularly exciting addition. He’s the voice behind the beloved Happily Ever After theme song at Magic Kingdom, and he’s no stranger to the Candlelight Processional stage. His return also resolves a change to the previously announced lineup, which originally featured Moana star AuliÊ»i Cravalho on those same dates.
With Fisher now confirmed, Disney has completed its celebrity narrator schedule for the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which runs November 27 through December 30. And if you’re planning to experience the Candlelight Processional this year, there are a few important details you’ll want to know before your visit.
Jordan Fisher Is Returning to EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional
Jordan Fisher will take the stage at EPCOT’s America Gardens Theatre on Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, officially opening the 2026 Candlelight Processional season. This will mark Fisher’s third year participating in the event, following previous appearances in 2023 and 2025.
He’s become a familiar face to Disney audiences through his work in Teen Beach Movie, Liv and Maddie, and other television and film projects. He also won Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars and has built an impressive career in musical theater, including Broadway productions. But for Walt Disney World fans, his most recognizable contribution might be one they hear every time they watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
Fisher performs the theme song for Happily Ever After, the nighttime spectacular that has become a favorite among Disney guests. His powerful vocals are a major part of the show’s emotional finale, making him a particularly fitting choice for an event that celebrates live music and storytelling.
And while the Candlelight Processional is a very different kind of performance, Fisher’s background in music and theater makes him a natural fit for the holiday production.
What Happened to Auliʻi Cravalho?
When Disney originally revealed its 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup, Auliʻi Cravalho, best known as the voice of Moana, was scheduled to narrate the November 27 and 28 performances. Her name was subsequently removed from the schedule, leaving those two dates listed as To Be Announced.
Disney has now filled those openings with Jordan Fisher. No official explanation has been provided for Cravalho’s removal from the lineup, so it’s unclear whether the change was related to scheduling or another commitment. While some guests may have been looking forward to seeing Cravalho, Fisher’s return brings another popular Disney performer to the event and completes the schedule ahead of the holiday season.
It’s also worth remembering that celebrity narrator appearances are always subject to change, even after dates have been announced.
The Complete 2026 Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator Lineup
With Jordan Fisher’s addition, all dates for this year’s Candlelight Processional now have an announced celebrity narrator.
Here’s the complete updated schedule:
| Dates | Celebrity Narrator |
|---|---|
| November 27–28 | Jordan Fisher |
| November 29–December 1 | Gary Sinise |
| December 2–3 | Benjamin Bratt (NEW) |
| December 4–5 | Whoopi Goldberg |
| December 6–7 | Robin Roberts (NEW) |
| December 8–9 | Jason Kelce (NEW) |
| December 10–12 | Neil Patrick Harris |
| December 13–14 | Josh Groban (NEW) |
| December 15–16 | Lauren Daigle |
| December 17–19 | Ralph Macchio |
| December 20–21 | Henry Winkler |
| December 22–23 | Lacey Chabert (NEW) |
| December 24–25 | Jodi Benson |
| December 26–27 | Simu Liu |
| December 28–30 | Eva Longoria |
This year’s lineup includes an interesting mix of returning favorites and first-time EPCOT narrators. Among the newcomers are Josh Groban, Jason Kelce, Robin Roberts, Benjamin Bratt, and Lacey Chabert, each bringing a different personality and audience to the event.
There are also several longtime favorites returning, including Gary Sinise, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson. And for guests visiting EPCOT around Christmas, having Jodi Benson narrate on December 24 and 25 feels like a particularly special way to celebrate the holiday.
What Is EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional?
If you’ve never experienced the Candlelight Processional, it’s one of Walt Disney World’s most beautiful and longstanding Christmas traditions. The production takes place at the America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT’s World Showcase, where a celebrity narrator shares the traditional biblical story of Christmas through scripture and storytelling.
The narration is accompanied by a 51-piece live orchestra, Disney’s Voices of Liberty, and a mass choir featuring more than 150 Disney Cast Members and community singers. Together, they perform a selection of traditional Christmas carols and holiday music, creating an experience that feels dramatically different from the typical theme park entertainment offerings.
The Candlelight Processional has been part of Walt Disney World’s holiday celebrations for decades and is celebrating its 55th year at the resort in 2026, including 32 years at EPCOT. What makes the production particularly memorable is that the celebrity narrator changes throughout the season. While the overall show remains consistent, each narrator brings a different voice, delivery, and personality to the storytelling.
That means guests who attend more than once can experience the same beloved tradition in a slightly different way.
2026 Candlelight Processional Showtimes
The Candlelight Processional will take place nightly from November 27 through December 30, 2026, with three performances scheduled each evening:
- 4:45 PM
- 6:30 PM
- 8:00 PM
All performances take place at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. The show is included with regular EPCOT theme park admission, so you do not need to purchase a separate event ticket to attend. However, seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for guests without a dining package.
Popular narrators can attract substantial crowds, particularly during opening weekend and the days surrounding Christmas. If there’s a specific celebrity you want to see, I would strongly recommend planning ahead rather than assuming you’ll be able to walk into the theater shortly before showtime.
Should You Book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?
For guests hoping to see Jordan Fisher or another particularly popular narrator, a Candlelight Processional Dining Package may be worth considering. These packages combine a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant with guaranteed seating for a designated Candlelight Processional performance later that day. Depending on the restaurant, guests can choose from breakfast, lunch, or dinner options. Most packages include an entrée and dessert or a buffet, along with a qualifying beverage.
After dining, guests receive a seating badge identifying their reserved performance time. The badge allows access to the designated dining package entrance at America Gardens Theatre.
One important detail: Guaranteed seating does not mean an assigned seat. Guests with dining packages are still seated on a first-come, first-served basis within the reserved section, so arriving early can make a difference if you’re hoping for a particular view. Dining packages became available for booking beginning October 14, 2026, with reservations opening according to Disney’s advance dining reservation schedule.
Guests who don’t want to purchase a dining package can still attend through the standby queue, subject to available seating. And if you’re considering a dining package, remember that EPCOT admission is required separately. The price of the meal does not include park admission.
You can check current offerings and reservations through the official Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional Dining Packages page.
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My Take
I think Jordan Fisher is an excellent choice to open this year’s Candlelight Processional, and not simply because he’s a recognizable Disney performer. What makes Fisher such a strong fit is that he has a genuine musical connection to Walt Disney World that guests already associate with some of their most emotional park memories.
If you’ve ever stood on Main Street, U.S.A. watching Happily Ever After, you know how much that music contributes to the experience. There’s something special about hearing a voice that’s already part of your Disney memories take the stage for an entirely different tradition.
And while I know some guests were excited to see Auliʻi Cravalho, I appreciate that Disney found a returning narrator with both musical talent and previous Candlelight Processional experience to fill those opening dates.
But there’s something else about this year’s lineup that I find particularly interesting. Disney has assembled a group of narrators with very different backgrounds, from Broadway performers and musicians to television personalities, actors, and even a former NFL player. I love that variety because it gives guests a reason to experience the Candlelight Processional more than once.
Personally, I think the narrator can completely change the emotional tone of the evening, even though the music and story remain the same. Some performers bring a sense of warmth and intimacy, while others have a commanding stage presence that makes the production feel especially grand. And that’s why I don’t necessarily think there’s one perfect narrator for everyone.
If you’re planning a Disney World holiday trip, I’d encourage you to choose a date based on the performer who genuinely interests you, rather than assuming the biggest celebrity name will automatically deliver the best experience.
For me, the real magic of Candlelight Processional has always been the combination of the orchestra, the choir, and the Christmas story itself. The celebrity narrator adds something special, but it’s the entire production that makes this one of EPCOT’s most meaningful holiday traditions.
I’m excited to see Jordan Fisher return, and I think opening weekend is going to be an especially memorable way to begin the 2026 holiday season. EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional begins November 27, 2026, with Jordan Fisher narrating the first two evenings. The event continues nightly through December 30 as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
What are you most excited to see at Disney World during the holidays?
Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Disney World Christmas announcements, entertainment updates, and everything you need to know before visiting EPCOT this holiday season!
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