Walt Disney World is getting an early start on the holiday season with the announcement of the 2026 celebrity narrator lineup for EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional.
The annual Christmas celebration will return to America Gardens Theatre during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, bringing a mix of familiar faces and new celebrity narrators to one of Disney World’s most anticipated holiday traditions.
Among this year’s newcomers are former NFL star Jason Kelce, ABC’s Robin Roberts and actress Lacey Chabert. Returning favorites include Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Sinise, Lauren Daigle, Ralph Macchio, Henry Winkler, Jodi Benson, Simu Liu and Eva Longoria.
Jason Kelce Headlines a Star-Studded Holiday Lineup
Jason Kelce is one of the biggest new names joining the Candlelight Processional in 2026.
The former Philadelphia Eagles center will take the stage on December 8 and 9 for his first appearance as a Candlelight Processional narrator. Kelce has remained a major figure in American sports and entertainment since retiring from the NFL, and his growing presence in television and podcasting has made him a familiar face well beyond football.
His addition gives Disney fans another reason to keep an eye on the December schedule, particularly for visitors planning a Walt Disney World trip around the holidays.
Robin Roberts and Lacey Chabert Join the Debut List
Robin Roberts will make her Candlelight Processional debut on December 6 and 7.
The longtime ABC journalist and co-anchor of Good Morning America brings a major television presence to this year’s celebration. Her appearance gives the event another recognizable name from American morning television.
Lacey Chabert will follow on December 22 and 23. The actress is also connected to Disney’s upcoming holiday movie Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, making her appearance especially fitting for the Christmas season.
The three newcomers give the 2026 schedule a fresh feel while Disney continues to rely on familiar celebrity names to draw longtime fans.
Full 2026 Candlelight Processional Schedule
Disney has announced most of the celebrity schedule, although two performance windows remain open.
The current lineup is:
November
November 27 and 28: Auli’i Cravalho
November 29 through December 1: Gary Sinise
December
December 2 and 3: To be announced
December 4 and 5: Whoopi Goldberg
December 6 and 7: Robin Roberts
December 8 and 9: Jason Kelce
December 10 through 12: Neil Patrick Harris
December 13 and 14: To be announced
December 15 and 16: Lauren Daigle
December 17 through 19: Ralph Macchio
December 20 and 21: Henry Winkler
December 22 and 23: Lacey Chabert
December 24 and 25: Jodi Benson
December 26 and 27: Simu Liu
December 28 through 30: Eva Longoria
Disney has not yet announced the narrators scheduled for December 2 and 3 or December 13 and 14.
What Is the Candlelight Processional?
The Candlelight Processional is one of the signature holiday experiences at EPCOT.
Each performance features a celebrity narrator retelling the Christmas story alongside a large choir, the Voices of Liberty and a live orchestra. The 2026 production will feature a 51-piece orchestra and more than 150 Disney cast members and community singers.
The tradition dates back decades at Walt Disney World. The 2026 production marks its 55th year at the resort and its 32nd year at EPCOT.
The performance takes place at America Gardens Theatre, creating a distinctly traditional holiday setting inside EPCOT’s World Showcase.
When Will the 2026 Shows Take Place?
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from November 27 through December 30, 2026.
The Candlelight Processional will be performed three times each night at 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
The performances are included as part of the EPCOT experience, but seating is first come, first served and can fill quickly, particularly when a popular celebrity narrator is scheduled.
Disney Offers Dining Packages for Guaranteed Seating
Guests who want to lock in a seat can purchase a Candlelight Processional Dining Package.
The package combines a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant with reserved seating for one of the night’s performances. Depending on the restaurant, guests can choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner options.
Disney says the dining package can include an entree and dessert or a buffet, along with a beverage. Guests who are 21 or older can also have an alcoholic beverage option where available.
Dining package reservations for the 2026 Candlelight Processional are scheduled to open on October 14.
A Holiday Tradition Gets a New Lineup
The 2026 lineup gives Disney fans a mix of nostalgia, television personalities, movie stars, musicians and a major name from the NFL.
The presence of Jason Kelce is likely to bring a new audience to the longtime EPCOT tradition, while appearances from familiar performers such as Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris and Jodi Benson give longtime Disney fans plenty of recognizable names to watch for.
For holiday travelers planning a Walt Disney World vacation, the narrator schedule could also influence which December dates become the most appealing.
With two narrator slots still unannounced, Disney has left room for additional names to join an already packed lineup.
Why the 2026 Lineup Is Getting Attention
The Candlelight Processional has become a major part of the holiday calendar at Walt Disney World, and the celebrity narrator is one of its biggest draws.
This year’s combination of first-time narrators and returning favorites gives Disney another strong entertainment hook heading into the busiest part of the year.
For fans hoping to see Jason Kelce, Robin Roberts or Lacey Chabert, the dates are already set. For everyone else, two more celebrity announcements are still on the way.
As the holiday season approaches, the 2026 Candlelight Processional is shaping up to be another major draw at EPCOT, combining celebrity appearances, live music and a classic Christmas presentation in one of Disney World’s most recognizable holiday