The holiday season may still be several months away, but Disney is already laying the groundwork for one of EPCOT’s most cherished annual traditions. Long before the first wreaths appear around World Showcase or the first celebrity narrator steps onto the stage, an important part of the planning process has officially begun.
Disney Live Entertainment has opened auditions for the Voices of Liberty, signaling that preparations for the 2026 Candlelight Processional are officially underway. While guests won’t experience the show until later this year, casting talented vocalists now is one of the first major milestones in bringing the beloved production back to EPCOT.
Holiday Planning Starts Earlier Than Most Guests Realize
The Candlelight Processional is one of Walt Disney World’s most popular seasonal entertainment offerings, but few guests realize just how much work happens behind the scenes months before opening night.
Unlike many stage productions, the show combines multiple live elements into a single performance. A celebrity narrator tells the Christmas story while a full orchestra, a massive choir, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty perform together. Coordinating all of those moving pieces takes months of planning, making summer the ideal time for Disney to begin selecting performers.
The show will once again be presented during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which is scheduled to run from November 27 through December 30.
Disney Is Searching for New Voices
This year’s auditions focus on filling five different vocal parts within the Voices of Liberty ensemble.
Disney is currently accepting auditions for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass performers. Those selected will join the seasonal cast through early January 2027, helping perform throughout the festival’s entire run.
Interested singers must first submit a video audition through Disney’s online audition system before July 20. Those who move on will then be invited to attend in-person callbacks, which are scheduled for August 19 in New York and August 25 in Orlando.
Candidates chosen for callbacks are expected to receive notification in early August.
Returning Cast Members Don’t Receive Special Treatment
One aspect of Disney’s audition process often surprises fans.
Even performers who have appeared in previous Candlelight Processional productions aren’t automatically invited back. Instead, every returning singer must submit a brand-new audition alongside first-time applicants.
It’s a process that allows Disney to evaluate every performer each year while maintaining the exceptionally high musical standards guests expect from the Voices of Liberty.
One Step Closer to the Holidays
Although Christmas still feels far away, the audition announcement is an exciting reminder that EPCOT’s holiday season is already beginning to come together.
The Candlelight Processional has become a tradition for countless Walt Disney World visitors thanks to its combination of live music, inspiring storytelling, and unforgettable performances. Every year, guests make time in their vacation plans specifically to experience the production, often returning again and again with different celebrity narrators.
Now, with auditions officially open, Disney has started the countdown toward another holiday season filled with familiar music, festive entertainment, and one of EPCOT’s longest-running traditions.
