We’re at the 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!

We’ve been making our way around the festival trying all sorts of food from the various booths, enjoying the entertainment, and participating in activities. While we’ve had a blast, we’ve had one thing on our mind all day…the RETURN of EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional! It was cancelled in 2020 due to the global pandemic, but Disney announced that is would make a glorious return in 2021. So, let’s see what it’s like!

In case you need a refresher on the Candlelight Processional, it is a long-standing EPCOT event that tells the story of Christmas with a celebrity narrator, large orchestra, and talented choir. The event is held on select nights throughout the festival and the celebrity narrator available will vary depending on the date, so be sure to check the dates if this is something on your must-do list!

Keep in mind that there are also various showings each day — typically 5:15PM, 7PM, and 8:30PM.

First, let’s go over HOW to get a seat for the show. First, you can book a Candlelight Processional dining package. These dining packages returned these year and were available at select table service restaurants in EPCOT. With these packages, you can dine at select restaurants and then get reserved seating for the show. These dining packages quickly sold out initially, but you can check to see if any openings become available. Get all of the info on the dining packages by clicking here!

You can also grab a day-of, walk-up reserved seating by dining at select restaurants in EPCOT. We specifically saw this walk-up package was available at Regal Eagle Smokehouse and Spice Road Table. You can read more about this reservation option here.

If you don’t get reserved seating, you can join the stand-by line.

But, be aware that the line can get very long even at earlier points in the day!

The show is extremely popular with fans, and many line up well in advance (with several getting in line close to an hour or more before the show).

Current look at the line for the first showing of the 🕯Candlelight Processional at 5:15 PM #EPCOTholidays pic.twitter.com/UkYPCamwhP

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 26, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

If you are planning to get in the stand-by line, be sure to look for the signs pointing to the stand-by entrance, and the stanchions set up nearby.

The Candlelight Processional is always a HUGE hit at the festival which is very apparent by the crowds!

We took our seats…

…and soon it was time for the show to begin!

The first Candlelight Processional since 2019 has begun! #EPCOTholidays pic.twitter.com/euXLURAEQu

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 26, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

As is the tradition of the show, choir members made their way through the audience up to the stage as part of the show. Anyone else out there getting chills?!

🎶 Oh tidings of comfort and joy 🎶 #candlelightprocessional #EPCOTholidays pic.twitter.com/HwL91PkvYs

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 26, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll get to watch the choir walk in and take their positions. Check out their sweet robes!

Next, it’s time to sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful music!

Throughout the show, be sure to take a look at ALL of the amazing musicians, singers, performers, the conductor, and more who make this possible. It’s truly an incredible feat.

Several celebrities will visit EPCOT to narrate the event, but tonight Auli’i Cravalho (the voice of Moana) was narrating the story of Christmas!

Hear a bit from Auli’i in the video below!

Auli’i Cravalho, actress and singer from Moana 🌀, has taken the stage as the Celebrity Narrator for tonight’s Candlelight Processional 🕯 pic.twitter.com/tOANn3RYC1

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 26, 2021

 

 

We’re SO glad this classic holiday tradition has made a comeback!

The Candlelight Processional is a holiday favorite for a reason, so be sure to make time for it if this looks like something you’d enjoy. Be aware that the show is typically quite long (around 40 minutes), so you will want to set aside a good amount of time for it.

At the end of the performance we attended tonight, there was a standing ovation! Seems we’re not the only ones excited to see that this show is back.

A rousing ovation for Auli’i Cravalho and all of the musicians at tonight’s Candlelight Processional 👏 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/UJ4d7tHeD6

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 26, 2021

We’ll continue giving you all of the latest updates from the festival, so stay tuned to DFB!

Click here to see ALL about our time at the Festival of the Holidays!

Have you ever been to the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments!