The Candlelight Processional is an annual seasonal Christmas attraction at the Disney Parks performed during the holiday events at the parks.
History[]
The Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved traditions in Disney theme park history. When Disneyland first celebrated its first Holiday Festival in 1955, a group of carolers performed throughout the park where guest choirs were invited to perform daily at Main Street, U.S.A. which was renamed the "Christmas Bowl" for the season. For years, the choir group grew larger over year since 1958 under suggestion by Dr. Charles C. Hirt who directed the choir to become a permanent addition for future holiday events. Thus, Disneyland celebrated its first Candlelight Processional at Main Street to the Plaza with carolers singing from the Sleeping Beauty Castle balcony.
Since then, the attraction became so popular at Disneyland and due to the success of the attraction at Disneyland over the years, it opened at the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971 starting at the Magic Kingdom. During its first holiday event, the attraction remained at Main Street, U.S.A. until 1993 where the show had its final performance. The attraction later moved to Epcot in 1994 performing in the World Showcase section at the park and has since become a tradition at Epcot over the years.
Summary[]
The Candlelight Processional is an annual Christmas show where it tells the story of Christmas through words and music with a mass choir, a live orchestra, and a narrator. The show tells the story of Christmas through Christmas carols - mostly songs often associated with religion (such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, O Come All Ye Faithful, or Silent Night) and is often performed during the evening hours at the Disney Parks while a guest celebrity retells the biblical story of Christmas. Some of the celebrities who took part in the Processional over the years included John Stamos, Marlee Matlin, Corbin Bleu, Haley Joel Osment, Susan Lucci, Jim Caviezel, or, Whoopi Goldberg.
