Disney Announces 2024 Candlelight Processional Details

November is right around the corner, which means that it’s always time for one of your favorite annual theme park traditions! Disney just announced details for the 2024 Candlelight Processional. Read on to learn the list of celebrity narrators for this year, as well as some dining package details.

What Is the Candlelight Processional?

How old is the Candlelight Processional tradition at Disney theme parks? Well, Walt Disney came up with the idea while he was still alive, and Disneyland has offered some sort of holiday event since 1955. 

The Candlelight Processional came a few years later, with actor Dennis Morgan providing the narration during the early 1960s. Walt Disney famously attended one of these events a year before his death, and the celebrity narrator was none other than Dick van Dyke! So, this is one of Disney’s oldest annual events. 

When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, Magic Kingdom hosted the Candlelight Processional near Cinderella Castle, a tradition you may not realize lasted until the 1990s! At that point, Disney transitioned the event to its current home at EPCOT, where it has remained for the past 30 years. Keeping the historical element alive, I’ll note that the late James Earl Jones narrated the final Candlelight Processional at Magic Kingdom. So, this event is iconic in any number of ways.

Basically, a famous person comes on stage and narrates the Nativity Story. In between these speeches, a storied musical orchestra plays classic holiday music. Here’s a 2023 video of the Candlelight Processional:

As you can see, it’s a roughly hour-long performance featuring epic music. Many Disney fans view this as one of the essential events on the theme park calendar. 

Here are the Narrators for the 2024 Version

Disney just confirmed the list of celebrity narrators for this year. Here’s the list:

  • 11/29 – 11/30 Josh Gad  
  • 12/1 – 12/2 Nico Santos (NEW) 
  • 12/3-12/5 Chrissy Metz 
  • 12/6 – 12/7 Whoopi Goldberg  
  • 12/8 – 12/10 Tituss Burgess (NEW) 
  • 12/11 – 12/12 Brendan Fraser 
  • 12/13 – 12/14 Ralph Macchio (NEW) 
  • 12/15 – 12/16 Gary Sinise 
  • 12/17 – 12/18 Neil Patrick Harris 
  • 12/19 – 12/21 Pat Sajak  
  • 12/22 – 12/23 Gloria Estefan 
  • 12/24 – 12/26 Edward James Olmos  
  • 12/27 – 12/28 Sterling K Brown   
  • 12/29 – 12/30 Jodi Benson 

You’ll note many returning favorites like Edward James Olmos and Neil Patrick Harris. As a reminder, it’s not unusual for one or two celebrities to drop out due to last-second family obligations. So, if you’ll be visiting during one of these dates, please understand that the schedule could change slightly. 

To a larger point, those of you staying at Walt Disney World from November 29th through December 30th owe it to yourselves to experience the Candlelight Processional. Independent of your religious views, I think you can tell from the above video that this is a high-quality performance overflowing with holiday spirit. 

Disney Will Offer Dining Packages

Due to the incredible popularity of the Candlelight Processional, every event will sell out. That’s an annual tradition as well. And it happens despite the fact that Disney hosts the event three times nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. Everything always sells out with no exceptions. People prioritize this show.

For this reason, EPCOT started offering Candlelight Processional dining packages a few years ago. Today, the official Parks Blog confirmed that they will be available for 2024 as well. Here’s the applicable quote:

“You can choose from fifteen distinctive eateries, ranging from character dining at Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land pavilion to dining at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. The package includes options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with guaranteed seating for one of three Candlelight Processional shows.”

These packages will go on sale on Tuesday, October 29th. The packages will be available here, but you can also contact Disney directly. Recently, Disney has offered Quick Service as well as Table Service options. So, you can save a bit of money by picking a less expensive option while still guaranteeing your family seats for the show. 

Prices aren’t available yet, but Disney lists the following EPCOT restaurants as participants:

  • Biergarten Restaurant
  • Chefs de France
  • Coral Reef Restaurant
  • Garden Grill Restaurant
  • La Crêperie de Paris
  • La Hacienda de San Angel
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse
  • Nine Dragons Restaurant
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room
  • Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
  • Spice Road Table
  • Teppan Edo
  • Tutto Italia Ristorante
  • Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

For budget-conscious travelers, Regal Eagle probably offers the best bang for the buck. But you’ll have a wonderful time anywhere as long as the night includes the Candlelight Processional.

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