Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional

We walked down Main Street, U.S.A. that brisk winter night, in search of hot chocolate. As we approached the Disneyland Railroad Station, the night was aglow with hundreds of candles while a mass choir performed holiday classics. That particular evening, Disneyland was hosting its annual Candlelight Ceremony and Processional and it was perhaps one of the most beautiful, sacred moments I’ve experienced at the resort. One year later, I found myself seated amongst an intimate group of invited guests for Disneyland’s 59th Candlelight Ceremony and Processional.

Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional

The Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional is an annual tradition dating back to 1958, and is performed on Main Street U.S.A. for two nights in early December. In the midst of the holiday season, this beautiful ceremony brings a touch of nostalgia and magic to the resort.

During this exclusive holiday spectacular, celebrities such as Cary Grant, John Wayne, Dick Van Dyke, and Gary Sinise have narrated this musical retelling of The First Christmas. The ceremony includes song, scripture readings, and a beautiful mass choir. The mass choir includes choirs from local churches and schools plus the volunteer Disneyland Cast Choir and the Walt Disney Studios Cast Choir.The Disneyland Symphony Orchestra, fanfare trumpets, and hand bell ringers join the choir for each 45 minute performance. Each year, the ceremony is viewed by thousands of guests visiting the resort during the holidays.

This year, actor Chris Hemsworth narrated the ceremony as nearly 600 vocals celebrated Christmas with beloved carols and classics. The ceremony began with the mass choir proceeding down Main Street with candles as they sang Christmas carols. The story of Jesus’ birth was intermixed with reverent songs, including the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. When the audience was asked to join the choir as they sang Silent Night, it felt like the entirety of Main Street came alive and the entire experience was as much reverent as it was magical.

Viewing Tips

Unlike many of the Disneyland Resort’s special events, seats are reserved for invited guests which often include Club 33 members, media, and more. Some guests visiting the resort opt to “camp out” in Town Square until the ceremony. Alternatively, families wishing to view this beautiful tradition can line the curb on Main Street before the processional begins.

While information about Disneyland’s Candlelight Ceremony and Processional is often scarce, you may look to popular Disney blogs for hints at when the ceremony will take place each year. For more information about celebrating the holidays at Disneyland, visit Disneyland.com.

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.