Big news for anyone planning a holiday trip to EPCOT: Disney just filled in two more spots in the 2026 Candlelight Processional narrators schedule, and they are two names we did not see coming. Josh Groban and Benjamin Bratt are both joining the lineup for the very first time, while opening weekend has gone back to “To Be Announced.”
When we first broke down the 2026 EPCOT Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators last month, there were still two open slots in December. Now both have a star attached, and the calendar looks a little different from the one many of us screenshotted back in September.
What Changed in the Candlelight Processional Narrators Lineup
Here is the quick version of the update, straight from Walt Disney World’s newest schedule:
- Benjamin Bratt now has Dec. 2 & 3. Those dates were previously listed as To Be Announced.
- Josh Groban now has Dec. 13 & 14, another pair of nights that had been TBA.
- Nov. 27 & 28 are back to To Be Announced. Auli‘i Cravalho had been listed for opening weekend in the earlier lineup, but her name no longer appears on Disney’s schedule.
Disney marks both Groban and Bratt as new to the Candlelight stage, which puts the count of first-time narrators this season at five. Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce and Lacey Chabert were already flagged as newcomers, so this year’s lineup is leaning hard into fresh faces alongside the longtime favorites.
If you were holding a late-November trip specifically for opening weekend, keep an eye on this one. Disney has not said who will take over Nov. 27 & 28, and we will update you as soon as that name is official.
Full 2026 Candlelight Processional Narrators Schedule
Here is every date as Disney currently lists it, with this year’s first-time narrators marked:
- 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
A few fun things jump out at us. Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel herself, has Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which is about as magical as it gets. Lacey Chabert is a natural fit for a holiday story after years of Christmas movies. And with Gary Sinise, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris and Henry Winkler all back, there is no shortage of familiar voices if you prefer a returning favorite.
Why Fans Plan Trips Around the Candlelight Processional
If you have never seen it, the Candlelight Processional is the emotional heart of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. A celebrity narrator reads the Christmas story while a 51-piece orchestra plays, the Voices of Liberty sing, and a choir of more than 150 Disney cast members and community singers fills America Gardens Theatre with carols.
This season marks the show’s 55th year at Walt Disney World Resort and its 32nd year at EPCOT. For a lot of us, picking which of the Candlelight Processional narrators to see is a real part of trip planning, right up there with choosing a resort.
Showtimes at America Gardens Theatre
Disney lists three performances every night: 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Standby seating is first-come, first-served, and lines for the bigger names can form well ahead of showtime, so build in extra time if you are going without a reservation.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Open Oct. 14
Want a guaranteed seat for Josh Groban, Benjamin Bratt or any of the other Candlelight Processional narrators? The Candlelight Processional Dining Package is the way to do it, and booking opens Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Here is what Disney says the package includes:
- A breakfast, lunch or dinner at a select EPCOT restaurant (choices vary by location)
- An entrée and dessert, or a buffet
- A non-alcoholic beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests 21 and older
- A reserved seating badge for your chosen performance
Your seat is guaranteed with the package, but Disney still suggests showing up early to get the best view inside the reserved section. For the newest showtimes and details, check the official EPCOT holiday festival entertainment page on Walt Disney World’s site, and browse our 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays guide to plan the rest of your festival day.
Our Take
Josh Groban at Candlelight feels like one of those “why hasn’t this happened already?” moments, and Benjamin Bratt gives early December a brand-new draw. Now all eyes are on opening weekend.
Which of the 2026 Candlelight Processional narrators are you hoping to catch this year? We have a feeling those Dec. 13 & 14 dining packages are going to go fast.
Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
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