This Disney Experience Is So Exclusive You Need a Personal Invite-and It's Only Held Twice a Year

"The cherished annual tradition was created by Walt Disney himself in 1958 as a way to thank the local community and leaders for their support. Today, it is a magical celebration of the season showcased in a stage production with a live orchestra, sprawling choir, and celebrity narrator. This year, I was lucky to experience the very special tradition for myself. Here's what it was like."

"The Disneyland Candlelight Processional is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in the history of Disney theme parks. It's held over just two nights each December with both the dates and celebrity narrator kept under wraps. The top-notch production is a 45-minute musical retelling of the "The First Christmas Story," the birth of Jesus, through classical song and narration."

"The show begins with a candlelight choir of 600 who parade down Main Street to Town Square. Once on stage, the choir becomes a "living Christmas tree" as many performers stand on a tree-shaped elevated riser. The dazzling event continues with the Disneyland orchestra, vocalists, fanfare trumpeters, and a celebrity narrator who read portions of the Biblical story between classic hymns like 'We Three Kings' and Handel's 'Messiah.' A particularly moving moment was a Spanish/English rendition of 'Silent Night'."

Walt Disney created the Disneyland Candlelight Processional in 1958 to thank the local community and leaders. The event runs over two nights each December with dates and the celebrity narrator kept secret. The 45-minute production retells the First Christmas Story, the birth of Jesus, using classical songs and narration. A 600-person candlelight choir parades down Main Street to Town Square and forms a tree-shaped riser onstage. The program includes the Disneyland orchestra, vocalists, fanfare trumpeters, and a celebrity narrator interweaving Biblical readings with hymns such as 'We Three Kings' and Handel's 'Messiah.' A Spanish/English 'Silent Night' invites audience participation. Past narrators have included James Earl Jones, Dick Van Dyke, Brie Larson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Viola Davis; Benjamin Bratt served as narrator this year.

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