EPCOT’s Christmas plans now include Jason Kelce, Lacey Chabert and a calendar reminder I would set before getting distracted by holiday snacks.
The 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup is announced, and dining packages open for booking October 14. If seeing a particular narrator is your reason for going, pick the night first. Then decide whether guaranteed seating is worth adding a dining package.
Find your narrator’s dates
Disney’s official entertainment schedule lists nightly performances November 27–December 30 at America Gardens Theatre. Showtimes are 4:45, 6:30 and 8 p.m., local park time. Narrators and entertainment can change, so check again before your visit.
| 2026 dates | Announced narrator |
|---|---|
| Nov. 27–28 | Auli‘i Cravalho |
| Nov. 29–Dec. 1 | Gary Sinise |
| Dec. 2–3 | Not yet announced |
| Dec. 4–5 | Whoopi Goldberg |
| Dec. 6–7 | Robin Roberts |
| Dec. 8–9 | Jason Kelce |
| Dec. 10–12 | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Dec. 13–14 | Not yet announced |
| Dec. 15–16 | Lauren Daigle |
| Dec. 17–19 | Ralph Macchio |
| Dec. 20–21 | Henry Winkler |
| Dec. 22–23 | Lacey Chabert |
| Dec. 24–25 | Jodi Benson |
| Dec. 26–27 | Simu Liu |
| Dec. 28–30 | Eva Longoria |
The Disney announcement identifies Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce and Lacey Chabert as new narrators this year. Two date blocks remain unannounced; I would leave those labeled “unknown” in the family planning chat.
Guaranteed seating comes with a separate dining decision
Disney’s dining-package page lists an October 14 booking opening and guarantees a same-day show seat with the package. It does not include EPCOT admission. You still need valid park admission, and a park reservation may also be required.
Here is a useful price comparison from Disney’s current table. These prices exclude tax and gratuity:
| Option | Ages 10+ | Ages 3–9 |
|---|---|---|
| Regal Eagle, same-day packages only | $43 | $26 |
| La Crêperie de Paris | $59 | $31 |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse | $109 | $44 |
For two adults and two children ages 3–9, that is $138, $180 or $306 before those extras. Regal Eagle’s lower total comes with a tradeoff: Disney directs guests to check same-day availability at the restaurant. I would not treat that as a guaranteed advance plan.
You can also try the standby line
Guests without a dining package can be seated as space allows. Package guests receive a seating badge after their meal and use a separate queue; seats within that section are still first come, first served.
My planning order would be narrator, date, then meal. Spending more on dinner does not change who is narrating that night, and an ordinary restaurant reservation is not the same purchase as a Candlelight dining package.
Planning beyond Christmas? We also have the announced 2027 EPCOT Festival of the Arts dates.
