The celebrity narrator lineup for this year’s Candlelight Processional at EPCOT has been altered, as Ann-Margret and Simu Liu have been removed from the schedule. Ann-Margret was initially scheduled for November 28 and 29 while Simu Liu was slated for November 30 through December 2; they have been replaced on the official Walt Disney World website with Ashley Eckstein and Bart Millard, respectively.
Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator Schedule Changes
Ann-Margret did take part in the Candlelight Processional on November 28 but was replaced with Eckstein for November 29 performances. Eckstein is a voice actress who has starred in numerous Disney-produced animated television series, perhaps most notably voicing Ahsoka Tano in animated “Star Wars” content such as “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars: Rebels;” this is the first time that Eckstein has narrated the Candlelight Processional.
Liu was set to return as a celebrity narrator this year after debuting in the role in 2022. He’s been replaced on the schedule with Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian music band MercyMe who served as a celebrity narrator for the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT in 2018 and 2021.
The updated remaining celebrity narrator list is as follows:
- Ashley Eckstein: Nov. 29
- Bart Millard: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
- John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
- Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
- Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
- Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
- Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
- Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
- Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
- Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
- Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
- Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
- Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30
The Candlelight Processional is a beloved Disney Parks holiday tradition that moved to EPCOT in 1994. A celebrity narrator shares a version of the Biblical story of the birth of Christ as a choir and orchestra perform traditional holiday music. Performances of this year’s Candlelight Processional commenced on November 25 alongside the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, you can watch our full video of the first show of the year below:
What do you think of the changes to the Candlelight Processional celebrity narrator schedule? Let us know in the comments.
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