Disney World Announces the Celebrity Narrators for EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional

For decades Disney theme parks have celebrated Christmas with the Candlelight Processional, where a large choir, an orchestra, and a celebrity narrator tell the story of Christ’s birth through music and words. It’s existed at Disneyland in one form or another since the ‘50s, and debuted at Walt Disney World when that resort opened in Florida in 1971. For Christian fans of Disney parks, or anybody who loves the music and pageantry of Christmas, it’s something you should consider watching in person—especially at Disneyland, where the choir and narrator stand on and around the Disneyland Railroad’s Main Street, U.S.A. station.

That West Coast version of the Candlelight Processional only happens four times a year, though, with this year’s performances scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4. Disney World’s Processional is held nightly at EPCOT over several weeks, making it far easier to experience. And unlike Disneyland, where the celebrity narrator is a surprise up until show time, the EPCOT narrators are announced in advance. In fact, the first batch of narrators was revealed by Disney today, and it includes some major names.

Disney World’s Candlelight Processional starts at EPCOT on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs three shows a night every night through Dec. 30. You can watch it at the America Gardens Theatre at the American Pavilion in World Showcase, with nightly shows at 5:15 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. The narrator for the first two nights has yet to be revealed, but over those five weeks guests will be able to see such stars as Angela Bassett, Mariska Hargitay, Neil Patrick Harris, Gloria Estefan, and Isabella Rossellini preside over the event. Here’s what Disney has announced so far, with all but two narrators being revealed.