EPCOT announced the Narrator List for its 2025 Christmas Candlelight Processional. Many new names are on the list. Notably, Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg will not be participating this year. Both have been repeat narrators in previous years.
The Candlelight Processional at EPCOT is a long-running holiday tradition that combines live music, narration, and pageantry to tell the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Held annually during the Christmas season, the event features a celebrity narrator recounting the Nativity story, backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir composed of Disney cast members and guest singers. The performances take place at the America Gardens Theatre and are one of the few explicitly Christian presentations in the Walt Disney World Resort’s entertainment lineup.
Members of the choir in the EPCOT Candlelight Processional
The event is included with EPCOT admission, though reserved seating is available through dining packages.
Possible Reason for Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg Absences
With Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg being staples of this EPCOT Christmas tradition, their absence is notable. Some fans have already pointed out a likely explanation for Neil Patrick Harris’s absence.
He is performing in a Broadway production of ART through December 21, 2025. That conflict may prevent him from committing to narrator dates in late November and December. There is no similarly confirmed scheduling issue reported for Whoopi Goldberg and she continues to host the DIsney ABC show The View.
A Screenshot of Whoopi Goldberg Speaking on The View – YouTube, The View
There have been rumors of issues between Disney executives and The View hosts in recent months. Some have reported that Bob Iger himself asked the ladies of The View to turn down their political rhetoric and they’ve refused.
Full Narrator Lineup for 2025
Disney officially announced the following celebrity narrators for the 2025 Candlelight Processional, running at EPCOT from November 28 through December 30. The shows are scheduled nightly at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. at the America Gardens Theater.
| Dates | Celebrity Narrator |
|---|---|
| Nov. 28‑29 | Constance Wu (NEW) |
| Nov. 30‑Dec. 2 | Jordan Fisher |
| Dec. 3‑4 | Jennifer Garner (NEW) |
| Dec. 5‑6 | Ashley Eckstein |
| Dec. 7‑8 | Ralph Macchio |
| Dec. 9‑10 | Leslie Uggams (NEW) |
| Dec. 11‑13 | Marlee Matlin |
| Dec. 14‑15 | Henry Winkler (NEW) |
| Dec. 16‑17 | Lauren Daigle (NEW) |
| Dec. 18‑19 | Gary Sinise |
| Dec. 20‑22 | Brendan Fraser |
| Dec. 23‑24 | Luis Fonsi |
| Dec. 25‑26 | Joel Smallbone (NEW) |
| Dec. 27‑28 | Brie Larson (NEW) |
| Dec. 29‑30 | Sheryl Lee Ralph (NEW) |
If previous years are anything to go by, Brendan Fraser will be one of the most popular of the season. It’s recommended guests arrive early for that one.
New Voices this Year
The roster for 2025 includes eight new narrators — Constance Wu, Jennifer Garner, Henry Winkler, Leslie Uggams, Lauren Daigle, Joel Smallbone, Brie Larson, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
With this being a retelling of the biblical Christmas account, it’s interesting to note that Disney has included two Christian music artists this year: Lauren Daigle and Joel Smallbone of the band For KING & COUNTRY.
Both have performed at EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival. Lauren Daigle performed in 2019, and Joel with brother Luke Smallbone in 2023. Lauren Daigle also performed in the 2019 Disney Christmas Day Parade. It’s a nice touch from the Disney company to include both, especially with Joel Smallbone taking the Christmas Day show.
Conclusion
With the 2025 EPCOT Candlelight Processional narrator lineup announced, fans are interested to see new voices and missing voices. Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg will not be attending this year. Lauren Daigle and Joel Smallbone, among others, will join the roster in their place.
The choir in the EPCOT candlelight processional – Disney Parks Blog
Which narrator are your most looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments!
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