Disney's Candlelight Processional

Disney's Candlelight Processional is an annual event held at Disneyland in California and Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. The processional is currently performed for two nights only at Disneyland, and throughout the holiday season at Epcot at Walt Disney World. The event was started by Walt Disney himself, and has become an annual holiday tradition for many guests.

Event history
Upon the first holiday season at Disneyland in December 1955, Walt Disney enlisted the help of Dr. Charles Hirt (1911-2001), who was the Director of Choral Music at USC Thornton School of Music. Walt Disney admired traditional Christmas caroling, and in a performance that grew each year from 1955-1960, carolers and guest choirs would sing in Town Square. At the first Christmas in 1955, this took place as the Disneyland Christmas Bowl, and was performed in the Main Street Bandstand. 1958 was the first year choirs processed down Main Street singing.

Walt Disney was involved with the entertainment aspects of the 1960 Winter Olympics, for which he and Hirt arranged a large choir to perform. This event inspired the two men to create a larger scale Christmas production for the upcoming holiday season. Disney had told Hirt he wished to have caroling on Main Street for guests to enjoy, and he wished to hear it from his private apartment above the fire station in Town Square. A stage was mounted in front of the train station so that carolers could sing out to guests and be more visible, and the "living Christmas tree" concept was developed, with the choir standing in the formation of a tree. Actor Dennis Morgan was enlisted in narrating the nativity story. Guest choirs from the community were brought in by Hirt to add to the production, and with these concepts together, the first processional was held. Walt Disney continued to support the event until his death in 1966, and last attended the processional in December 1965 with Dick Van Dyke as narrator. The living tree was created by choral director Alexander Encheff (1918-2005), whose students at Western High School in Anaheim performed in the show annually until the 1980s. Sheldon Disrud, director of choral music at Chapman University in Orange, California, directed and wrote music for the candlelight procession during the 1980s.

In October 1971 Walt Disney World opened, and it was decided the park should have its own version of the processional for the holiday season. Hirt flew in from California to help stage the production, with Rock Hudson as the first narrator and Frederick Fennell as conductor. At the beginning, the event was staged in front of Cinderella Castle, and then moved a few years later, in front of the train station, similar to the Disneyland version.

By the 1990s, the event at Walt Disney World and Disneyland was being performed for two days only each holiday season. At Disney World, the event was growing in popularity and demand, and it was decided it would move to Epcot, which had been built in 1982. James Earl Jones was the final narrator at Magic Kingdom. The event then began being performed from Thanksgiving weekend to New Years. Dr. Charles Hirt had since retired. Derric Johnson became conductor of the event at Disney World, and Jim Christensen (1935-2020) was passed the baton at Disneyland. Johnson had previously developed Re-Generation, a professional acapella singing group that performed at Magic Kingdom in the 1970s and eventually evolved into Voices of Liberty when Epcot opened in 1982.

Johnson, a composer, offered Disney his own custom arrangements of classic holiday songs, many of which were recorded for the Re-Generation Christmas recording Christmas In Velvet. Phylicia Rashad became the first narrator for the Epcot version in 1994, and the show has been performed every year since with exception of 2020 when it was cancelled on both coasts due to Covid-19. In 2022, Dr. John V. Sinclair, Director of Music at Rollins College, was honored for conducting over 1,000 performances of the Candlelight Processional at Disney World. Nancy Sulahian has conducted the Disneyland version most recently. She is currently Director of Choral Music at CalTech in Pasadena, California.

Event details
Each performance is narrated by a guest narrator, typically a celebrity, often who has been previously affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. At Disneyland, the narrator of the event is kept secret until the day of the first performance, with two shows per evening and two nights only. Walt Disney World announces their narrator lineup ahead of time so guests can plan their vacations accordingly to which narrator they would like to see. Dining packages are available to purchase that guarantees a seat inside the America Gardens Theatre at the American pavilion at Epcot.

The term processional refers to the choir entering one by one, typically wearing traditional choir robes, while holding a candle. The term "processing" refers to entering the stage, and "recessing" is the process of exiting the stage. Performers are lined up based on height and voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). The event is one of the many seasonal entertainment offerings located at Epcot during the International Festival of the Holidays. At Disneyland, the event is held on Main Street, U.S.A. with a stage setup around the train station in Town Square. At Epcot, the professional AEA-A capella singing group Voices of Liberty are utilized in the show as featured singers and soloists. The Epcot versions signature song is Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy, music and lyrics by Lanny Wolfe. In the program, songs in different languages have been performed, including Gesù bambino (Italian), Stille Nacht (German and Spanish), What Child Is This? (Spanish), and Il est né, le divin Enfant (French).

The songs are custom composed and arranged for Disney to retell the nativity story, with orchestrations performed by a large orchestra. Disneyland musicians work under contracts with the Orange County Musicians Union, Local 7. Musicians in the orchestra in Florida are contracted through the Central Florida Local 389 chapter of the American Federation of Musicians union. The Disneyland version includes a handbell choir and both feature trumpet fanfares. The celebrity narrator tells the story in short passages mixed with songs. The show typically has stayed the same year to year, but it continues to be updated. It uses guest choirs, primarily youth choirs, referred to as a mass choir. The show is performed three times each night at Epcot, with youth choirs performing in the first show and Disney cast members in the second two shows.

Cast members (employees) are selected to perform in the show based on auditions that are held prior in the year, with rehearsals being held weekly leading up to performance time, on a volunteer basis. Guest choirs also submit auditions and are selected to perform, traveling from around the country, although many are local school choirs located near the parks. One of the long running participant choirs since the 1970s at Disney World has been Seminole High School from Sanford, Florida under the direction of Bob Maguire (1948-2020). The event gives young performers the opportunity to perform in a large-scale professional setting, facilitated by Disney Imagination Campus. Merchandise is sold to honor the event inside the parks, typically including t-shirts and trading pins. The event has experienced growing pains, which necessitated being moved from Magic Kingdom to Epcot, so not to interfere with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

In the year 2012, the Disneyland version attempted to expand performances. 20 nights of two showings each were offered, however many were cancelled due to inclement weather. Tickets were all offered free of charge by lottery to Annual Passholders. The following year the event reverted back to its original two day format. Disneyland for two years in the late 1990's performed the Candlelight Ceremony in its Fantasyland Theater.

Disneyland Candlelight Processional Narrator History (select)

 * 2004 - Marie Osmond
 * 2005 - Dick Van Dyke
 * 2006 - Andy Garcia - Hector Elizondo
 * 2007 - Jane Seymour
 * 2008 - John Stamos
 * 2009 - Jon Voight
 * 2010 - Tom Skerritt
 * 2011 - Gary Sinise
 * 2012 - Dennis Haysbert, Kurt Russell, Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dick Van Dyke, Patricia Heaton, John Stamos, Molly Ringwald
 * 2013 - Kurt Russell - Blair Underwood
 * 2014 - Beau Bridges
 * 2015 - Lana Parrilla - Geena Davis
 * 2016 - Ginnifer Goodwin
 * 2017 - Chris Hemsworth
 * 2018 - Chris Pratt
 * 2019 - Lin-Manuel Miranda
 * 2021 - Sterling K. Brown
 * 2022 - Viola Davis
 * 2023 - Brie Larson

Magic Kingdom Candlelight Processional Narrator History (1971-1993)

 * 1971 - Rock Hudson
 * 1972 - Cary Grant
 * 1973 - Rock Hudson
 * 1974 - Rock Hudson
 * 1975 - Dean Jones
 * 1976 - Joseph Campanella
 * 1977 - Rock Hudson
 * 1978 - Ross Martin
 * 1979 - Perry Como
 * 1980 - Rock Hudson
 * 1981 - James Hampton - Darren McGavin
 * 1982 - Pat & Shirley Boone
 * 1983 - Joseph Campanella


 * 1984 - Rock Hudson
 * 1985 - Howard Keel
 * 1986 - Howard Keel
 * 1987 - Dean Jones
 * 1988 - Walter Cronkite
 * 1989 - McLean Stevenson
 * 1990 - Joseph Campanella
 * 1991 - George Kennedy
 * 1992 - Paula Zahn
 * 1993 - James Earl Jones

Epcot Candlelight Processional Narrator History (1994-Present)

 * 2004 - Rita Moreno, Heather Headley, Kirk Franklin, Jim Caviezel, Marlee Matlin, Joshua Morrow, Eartha Kitt, Steven Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos, Gary Sinise, Levar Burton
 * 2005 - Rita Moreno, Phil Donahue, Haley Joel Osment, Cicely Tyson, Jaci Velasquez, Eartha Kitt, Lou Diamond Phillips, Harry Hamlin, Marlee Matlin, Gary Sinise, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Stamos
 * 2006 - Rita Moreno, Marie Osmond, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Cameron, Gary Sinise, Marlee Matlin, Brian Dennehy, Maureen McGovern, Mario Lopez, Cuba Gooding Jr.
 * 2007 - Andie MacDowell, Kirk Cameron, Monique Coleman, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, Chita Rivera, Neil Patrick Harris, Steven Curtis Chapman, Gary Sinise, John O'Hurley, Edward James Olmos, David Robinson, Dennis Franz
 * 2008 - John O'Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Virginia Madsen, Marlee Matlin, Monique Coleman, Abigail Breslin, Chita Rivera, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Steven Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos
 * 2009 - Isabella Rossellini, John O’Hurley, Steven Curtis Chapman, Anika Noni Rose, Andy Garcia, Abigail Breslin, Brian Dennehy, Edward James Olmos, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Whoopi Goldberg, Chita Rivera
 * 2010 - Isabella Rossellini, John O'Hurley, Corbin Bernsen, Susan Lucci, Jodi Benson, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Curtis Chapman, Thomas Gibson, Trace Adkins, Brad Garrett, Marlee Matlin, Edward James Olmos
 * 2011 - Mira Sorvino, Geena Davis, Isabella Rossellini, Neil Patrick Harris, Chita Rivera, Marlee Matlin, Blair Underwood, Trace Adkins, Edward James Olmos, Susan Lucci, Michael W. Smith
 * 2012 - Geena Davis, Lea Salonga, Jodi Benson, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Blair Underwood, James Denton, Alfre Woodard, Amy Grant, Gary Sinise, Trace Adkins, Andy Garcia, Marlee Matlin
 * 2013 - Gary Sinise, Neil Patrick Harris, Ashley Judd, Whoopi Goldberg, Sigourney Weaver, Dennis Haysbert, James Denton, Edward James Olmos, Trace Adkins, Steven Curtis Chapman, Blair Underwood, Amy Grant
 * 2014 - Jodi Benson, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Whoopi Goldberg, Levar Burton, Edward James Olmos, Joe Morton, Chita Rivera, Ana Gasteyer, Marlee Matlin, Isabella Rossellini, Blair Underwood, Steven Curtis Chapman
 * 2015 - Gary Sinise, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Morton, Ana Gasteyer, Meredith Viera, America Ferrera, Chandra Wilson, Daniel Dae Kim, Edward James Olmos, Blair Underwood, Amy Grant
 * 2016 - Steven Curtis Chapman, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Edward James Olmos, Anthony Mackie, Robby Benson, Meredith Viera, Jim Caviezel, Joe Morton, Ming-Na Wen, Cal Ripken Jr., Jodi Benson
 * 2017 - Laurie Hernandez, Matt Bomer, Ana Gasteyer, Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak, Jodi Benson, Jaci Velasquez, Warwick Davis, Chandra Wilson, Kurt Russell, CCH Pounder, Trace Adkins, Neil Patrick Harris
 * 2018 - Chita Rivera, Helen Hunt, Alfonso Ribeiro, Robby Benson, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Bart Millard, Blair Underwood, Gary Sinise, Pat Sajak, Auli’i Cravalho, Joey Fatone, Cal Ripken Jr., Jodi Benson
 * 2019 - Ming-Na Wen, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini, Alton Fitzgerald White, Gary Sinise, Pat Sajak, Geena Davis, Steven Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos, Marlee Matlin, Lisa Ling
 * 2021 - Auli’i Cravalho, Chita Rivera, Jodi Benson, Alton Fitzgerald White, Bart Millard, Lisa Ling, Andy Garcia, Ana Gasteyer, Blair Underwood, Pat Sajak, Courtney B. Vance, Steven Curtis Chapman
 * 2022 - Simu Liu, Chita Rivera, Raul Esparza, Daymond John, Josh Gad, Mariska Hargitay, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini, Gloria Estefan, Marie Osmond, Cal Ripken Jr.
 * 2023 - Chrissy Metz, Luis Fonsi, Ann-Margret, Ashley Eckstein, Bart Millard, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Marlee Matlin, Brendan Fraser, Eva Longoria, Joey McIntyre, Sterling K. Brown, Jordan Fisher, Steven Curtis Chapman, Audra McDonald, Lisa Ling

Audio recordings
In 1999, the Epcot Candlelight Processional was professionally recorded and released on Walt Disney Records cassette and cd with Phylicia Rashad as guest narrator. The Epcot Candlelight Processional was also recorded and released in 1997, with Louis Gossett Jr. as narrator.

Filmed performances
In 1987, the Disneyland Candlelight Processional was recorded and released on VHS, with Howard Keel as narrator. This performance also was aired on The Disney Channel. The performance was conducted by Sheldon Disrud (1924-2015), who was the Director of Choral Music at Chapman University in Orange, California

In 2018, the Epcot Candlelight Processional was live-streamed on Youtube via the official Disney Parks channel, with Neil Patrick Harris as narrator.