It may only be the middle of summer, but Disney is already thinking about Christmas.
Preparations are officially underway for the return of the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, one of the most beloved performances offered during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. The first major sign came this week as Disney Live Entertainment opened auditions for the Voices of Liberty, beginning the lengthy process of assembling this year's cast.
For fans who look forward to the holiday show every year, it's welcome news that one of Disney's biggest seasonal traditions is already moving forward.
Bringing the Candlelight Processional Back to Life
While guests see a polished production every holiday season, the work that goes into creating the Candlelight Processional starts long before Thanksgiving.
The show features a celebrity narrator joined by a live orchestra, herald trumpets, a large choir, and the Voices of Liberty. Because so many performers are involved, Disney spends months preparing before the first performance takes place.
That preparation starts with casting.
Disney is currently looking to fill five vocal positions within the Voices of Liberty ensemble, including soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass singers. Successful applicants will perform throughout the holiday season, with contracts extending into early January 2027.
Auditions Begin Online
The audition process begins with online video submissions.
Singers interested in joining this year's production have until July 20 to submit their auditions through Disney's casting portal. After reviewing those videos, Disney will invite selected performers to live callbacks.
Those callbacks are scheduled to take place in New York on August 19 and Orlando on August 25, with callback invitations expected to be sent in early August.
Even experienced performers who have previously appeared in the Candlelight Processional must audition again. Disney does not automatically renew cast members from one season to the next, making each year's selection process highly competitive.
One of EPCOT's Signature Holiday Experiences
The Candlelight Processional continues to be one of the biggest draws during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Night after night, guests pack the America Gardens Theatre to hear celebrity narrators share the Christmas story while the orchestra, choir, and Voices of Liberty perform traditional holiday music. The combination has become one of Walt Disney World's defining seasonal experiences and remains a favorite among both first-time visitors and longtime Disney fans.
The 2026 Festival of the Holidays will run from November 27 through December 30, giving guests more than a month to experience the performances.
Although holiday decorations won't arrive for several more months, Disney has officially started the work necessary to bring the Candlelight Processional back once again. For many Disney fans, that makes Christmas at EPCOT feel just a little bit closer.
