Walt Disney World Adjusts Narrator Schedule for the 2026 EPCOT Candlelight Processional

Walt Disney World has updated the narrator schedule for the upcoming 2026 EPCOT Candlelight Processional, introducing two new celebrity participants while removing another from the initial holiday lineup.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is scheduled to run from November 27 through December 30, 2026. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the holiday tradition at Walt Disney World Resort and its 32nd year at EPCOT. Nightly performances will take place at the America Gardens Theatre with three showtimes scheduled at 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. These showtimes have been shifted fifteen minutes earlier than in previous years to align with EPCOT park closing hours during the festival.

Under the updated schedule, Benjamin Bratt and Josh Groban have joined the roster to fill previously unassigned dates. Benjamin Bratt is scheduled to make his debut narrating on December 2 and 3. Josh Groban follows with his debut appearances on December 13 and 14.

At the same time, Auli’i Cravalho has been removed from the schedule. She was originally slated to open the holiday run on November 27 and 28. Those opening dates are currently listed as To Be Announced, leaving the festival launch weekend without a confirmed narrator as of the latest update. Gary Sinise will lead the performances starting on November 29 and running through December 1.

The updated 2026 lineup features five first-time narrators overall, including Benjamin Bratt, Josh Groban, Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce, and Lacey Chabert. Returning fan favorites such as Neil Patrick Harris also rejoin the schedule this year.

The complete updated 2026 narrator schedule features:

Nov. 27 & 28: To Be Announced
Nov. 29 – Dec. 1: Gary Sinise
Dec. 2 & 3: Benjamin Bratt (NEW)
Dec. 4 & 5: Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 6 & 7: Robin Roberts (NEW)
Dec. 8 & 9: Jason Kelce (NEW)
Dec. 10 – 12: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 13 & 14: Josh Groban (NEW)
Dec. 15 & 16: Lauren Daigle
Dec. 17 – 19: Ralph Macchio
Dec. 20 & 21: Henry Winkler
Dec. 22 & 23: Lacey Chabert (NEW)
Dec. 24 & 25: Jodi Benson
Dec. 26 & 27: Simu Liu
Dec. 28 – 30: Eva Longoria

Each performance features the traditional retelling of the Christmas story accompanied by a 51-piece orchestra, the Voices of Liberty, and a choir consisting of more than 150 Disney cast members and community singers.

While general seating at the America Gardens Theatre is available on a first-come, first-served basis and fills up quickly, guests can guarantee a seat by booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. These packages include a meal at participating EPCOT table-service restaurants or a same-day option at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, alongside a badge for reserved seating at a designated showtime. Bookings for the dining packages open on October 14.