Walt Disney World has released the complete celebrity narrator lineup for the 2025 Candlelight Processional, plus dining package ADR dates & details. This post covers everything we know thus far about the Christmas-time special event, and the rest of EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays.
For starters, this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from November 28 until December 30, 2025. Unlike other Christmas offerings at Walt Disney World, the holiday event at EPCOT always starts on Black Friday and ends the day before New Year’s Eve to clear space for those festivities. And shortly before the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays starts, the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival ends (November 22, 2025).
The good news is that Walt Disney World is releasing info about the 2025 Candlelight Processional almost a full month earlier than each of the last two years! This is still late by historical standards from ~2019, but back then the Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) window was 180 days and the narrator lineup was trickled out over time, often after guests had booked ADRs.
The more recent approach has allowed Walt Disney World to reveal the full list of narrators all at once, rather than slowly expanding the lineup over the summer as narrators are confirmed. This has the secondary benefit of reducing the likelihood of last minute cancellations by the narrator should a better offer or obligation come along.
Walt Disney World vacation planners may not like waiting longer for the roster of narrators and dining package info (many have told us so!), but it arguably beats the alternative of a piecemeal approach that ends up changing. To each their own, but we’ll take this approach–still plenty of time to plan holiday ADRs and park days!
The approach for the 2025 Candlelight Processional strikes us as the perfect happy medium. In the last couple of years, we were really starting to see a lot of questions in the second half of September, increasing even more in October. At this point, most people are still thinking about Halloween. A mid-September release of all narrators strikes us as the best balance.
This announcement basically fleshes out what’s happening this Christmas, providing new details about the 2025 Candlelight Processional during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays…
This time-honored tradition of Candlelight Processional has been a part of the holiday season at Walt Disney World since its opening in 1971. Experience the celebrity narrators, the Voices of Liberty acapella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra and glorious massed choirs as they present a heartwarming retelling of the traditional Christmas story.
EPCOT will once again share this tradition with the community, inviting guest choirs from across Florida to take part in the show. Choirs comprised of Walt Disney World Cast Members will also return, bringing magic to their performances as they do in their roles every day.
Walt Disney World has also released the FULL lineup of narrators for the 2025 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Showtimes this year will once again be at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. at the America Gardens Theatre in EPCOT’s World Showcase.
2025 Candlelight Processional Narrator Dates
This year, the following celebrity lineup will lend their talents to the performance:
- November 28-29, 2025 – Constance Wu (NEW)
- November 30 through December 2, 2025 – Jordan Fisher
- December 3-4, 2025 – Jennifer Garner (NEW)
- December 5-6, 2025 – Ashley Eckstein
- December 7-8, 2025 – Ralph Macchio
- December 9-10, 2025 – Leslie Uggams (NEW)
- December 11-13, 2025 – Marlee Matlin
- December 14-15, 2025 – Henry Winkler (NEW)
- December 16-17, 2025 – Lauren Daigle (NEW)
- December 18-19, 2025 – Gary Sinise
- December 20-22, 2025 – Brendan Fraser
- December 23-24, 2025 – Luis Fonsi
- December 25-26, 2025 – Joel Smallbone (NEW)
- December 27-28, 2025 – Brie Larson (NEW)
- December 29-30, 2025 – Sheryl Lee Ralph (NEW)
Celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
There are eight (8) new celebrity narrators joining the 2025 Candlelight Processional lineup, which is the most I can recall seeing in a long, long time. I don’t want to say “ever” because Candlelight Processional has a long history, but I can’t remember more year-to-year turnover.
There are also a number of conspicuous omissions. These include (but are not limited to) Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, Jodi Benson, Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak, Gloria Estefan, and Edward James Olmos. Of the time-tested favorites, it’s basically just Gary Sinise as the last man standing.
Some of those celebrities had been narrating Candlelight Processional every year (or almost every?) since we started attending in 2007. A couple of them are not my personal favorites, but it’s nevertheless slightly jarring to see so many long-time narrators absent from the list. (Here’s hoping that longtime narrators Edward James Olmos and Pat Sajak left by choice, and are enjoying their respective retirements!)
In my opinion, the last couple of years have featured some of the best-ever Candlelight Processional narrator lineups. There was someone for everyone, with big-name newcomers and plenty of returning favorites.
I’m less sold on the 2025 Candlelight Processional lineup. At least, that’s my kneejerk, first impression. I’m open to many, if not most, of these newcomers, it’s just so much change all at once–and even many of the narrators who are not listed as new have only been doing this a year or two.
From my perspective, Candlelight Processional is all about tradition. It’s a ritual, if you will, in more ways than one. Part of that is a certain degree of year-in, year-out consistency with the narrators as families have nostalgic favorites that they enjoy seeing each year. There’s always been turnover from year to year, that much is expected. It’s also why most families who do Candlelight Processional annually have a few favorites. This just strikes me as a lot of change, all at once.
With that said, if I had my pick and could watch any narrator from the last 2 years or the 2025 Candlelight Processional lineup, I’m picking Henry Winkler without hesitation. It is not even a remotely close call for me. Although we’re not scheduled to be at Walt Disney World in mid-December, we might just have to change that in order to see Barry Zuckerkorn narrate.
We’d also be interested in seeing newcomers Constance Wu or Jennifer Garner. Or even the new-ish Jordan Fisher. So it’s not like there’s a shortage of options that we’d enjoy. I don’t recognize most of the other newcomers’ names, but see that a few of them are musicians; maybe they’re big names in their genres who just aren’t on my radar.
In other words, there’s absolutely something here for us in the 2025 Candlelight Processional lineup. Maybe there’s something for everyone, and I’m just overly sensitive to the changes. It just seems like a lot of turnover in a single year.
In fairness, we have praised the approach taken at the EPCOT concerts and ‘requested’ Candlelight Processional to follow suit with more newcomers. The concerts at EPCOT’s other festivals have taken that approach with newer bands, which has amusingly resulted in longtime fans complaining about subpar lineups with “unrecognizable” bands.
Meanwhile, the shows themselves have been more packed than ever. That discrepancy is the slow shift towards millennials becoming the dominant demographic. Expect millennial tastes to matter more to Walt Disney World going forward, with baby boomers less catered to–it’s only going to get better/worse (depending upon your age).
I’m not sure that’s what’s happening here, though. It’s not as if these narrators necessarily appeal to younger generations more. Henry Winkler probably appeals to older audiences than Josh Gad or NPH, for example. I also think celebrities are fundamentally different than musicians. The peak of Henry Winkler’s fame was before I was born, and yet, I’m most excited to see him thanks to more recent roles.
As a general matter, I’d add that I’d prefer Hollywood actors over musicians as narrators. Get Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as a one-two punch to promote the next Toy Story sequel; Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Paul Rudd, Richard Kind, and other celebrities who have ongoing relationships with Disney. Obviously, all aren’t going to want to travel to Walt Disney World during the holiday season, but some might!
Candlelight Processional Dining Package Dates & Details
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are also returning, and can be booked online beginning October 14, 2025. Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 60 days prior to your visit. This means that on October 14, ADRs are available for Candlelight Processional up until December 13, 2025.
The remainder of the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be released on a rolling basis each day after October 14th. Keep in mind that this is still subject to the 60+10 rule for on-site guests, so if you’re staying off-site, you very well might get shut out even at the 60 day mark for those later dates during the peak weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Walt Disney World still has a “check back later for details” message on the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages page, so here are prices and info from last year. We’ll update this ASAP once Disney drops the rundown of restaurants (expect more options and higher prices).
Here’s the list of participating restaurants for last year’s Candlelight Processional Dining Packages:
- Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion
- Chefs de France – France Pavilion
- La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion
- Coral Reef Restaurant – The Living Seas
- Garden Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion
- La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion
- Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion
- Nine Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day only) – American Adventure
- Rose & Crown Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Spice Road Table – Morocco Pavilion
- Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion
- Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion
- Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion
- Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion
Choose from a variety of EPCOT eateries that offer Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. Here’s what’s included with your meal:
- At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)
- At Other Participating Restaurants: An entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (where applicable)—as well as a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)
Plus, you’ll get one (1) guaranteed seat per person to one Candlelight Processional performance on the same day.
Curiously, this list leaves off prices, which is not Walt Disney World’s normal MO when releasing Candlelight Processional Dining Package details. It’s possible this was an unintentional oversight, in which case we’ll update accordingly once pricing is posted.
We suspect the omission of pricing was purposeful. If so, it’s never a good sign when companies don’t publish prices up front. I’m guessing that it’s not because Walt Disney World is worried that they’re so low you’ll hoard ADRs.
With that in mind, below are prices and other assorted details from last year. If my theory is correct, these are the minimums. And more likely given how quickly ADRs filled up last year, you can expect increases of 10-15% across the board:
| Adult (ages 10 and up) |
Child (ages 3 to 9) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Norway Pavilion |
$71.00 – Breakfast $83.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
$45.00 – Breakfast $53.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
| Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion |
$65.00 | $37.00 |
| Coral Reef Restaurant The Living Seas |
$78.00 | $32.00 |
| Garden Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion |
$63.00 – Breakfast $78.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
$40.00 – Breakfast $50.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion |
$104.00 | $42.00 |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day dining packages only) American Adventure Pavilion |
$41.00 | |
| Rose & Crown Dining Room United Kingdom Pavilion |
$66.00 | $29.00 |
| Spice Road Table Morocco Pavilion |
$55.00 | $24.00 |
Planning a last-minute visit? You may be able to purchase a same-day dining package, which allows you to:
- Dine without reservations at 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 Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
In previous years, same-day availability was also offered at Spice Road Table. We suspect that’ll be true again on an informal basis, as it’s possible that last-minute ADRs will be available for Candlelight Processional Dining Packages at Spice Road Table. We wouldn’t bank on that, though!
We’re happy to see Biergarten Restaurant make the cut once again. This is always our top recommendation thanks to its jovial Christmas atmosphere, music, and value for money. Read Our Christmas Feast at Biergarten Restaurant for what the holiday time experience is like there.
We would strongly recommend those who want a 2025 Candlelight Processional Dining Package be online bright and early on October 14, 2025 or whenever their ADR window opens. These will sell out fast–probably far faster than normal. Even as ADR demand has otherwise dropped off precipitously this year, we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see these sell out for all available dates right on the ADR drop day. This is going to be more like Beak & Barrel (hopefully minus the system outage) than it is a normal daily ADR drop.
With that in mind, pack your patience if you’re planning on doing opening day ADRs for the 2025 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. As with any ADR drop days, glitches and slow-to-load inventory are distinct possibilities. We’d recommend being up earlier than normal, being on multiple devices, and budgeting more time than you might expect. If it ends up being smoother sailing, consider it a small victory–but prepare for headaches.
See our Guide to Advance Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World for tips & tricks to increase your chances of success! This will also offer assistance and reassurances if you get shut out of ADRs when they’re first released and need to fall back on something last-minute.
In terms of other basic info, guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and show time they have reserved. Dining Package participants will enter America Gardens Theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Seating is guaranteed for those who purchase the Candlelight Processional Dining Package.
If you have other questions, see our Guide to Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. While that hasn’t been updated with all of this new info, it should mostly be accurate. The basics of Candlelight Processional–showtimes, seatings, and more–should be more or less the same this year. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the Dining Packages and everything else coming to the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited to experience the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Excited for Candlelight Processional? What do you think of the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2025 Candlelight Processional? Looking forward to the Holiday Kitchens, live music, or anything else? Think there will be any pleasant surprises? Any tips you want to share to make the most of the experience? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
