Additional performances of Candlelight Ceremony music to my ears

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It’s the most glorious event of the year at Disneyland.

Choirs from various high schools in Southern California help make up the 600-member Hallelujah Chorus, performing holiday carols with the Disneyland Orchestra as a celebrity guest narrates “The Christmas Story” during the annual Candlelight Ceremony at Disneyland. Photo by Sherry Barkas

The Candlelight Ceremony that I go on and on about every year about this time is being performed 21 days in December. Hallelujah!

Since it was first performed in 1958, the concert has been delivered just one weekend a year, so this is great for all who love or those who have never seen but wanted to experience the Candlelight Ceremony.

Choirs from various high schools in Southern California help make up the 600-member Hallelujah Chorus, performing holiday carols with the Disneyland Orchestra as a celebrity guest narrates  “The  Christmas Story.”

The choir comes down Main Street USA and joins the  full orchestra on the steps of the Main Street Train Station, forming a Christmas tree. At a podium to the right, is the celebrity narrator, which in years past has included Dick Van Dyke, John Stamos, Andy Garcia, Jayne Seymour and Hector Elizondo.
It’s a beautiful, amazing evening that I highly recommend to anyone who has not yet seen it.

Each day features two performances, about 30 minutes each. Top it all off with the holiday decorations throughout both Disneyland and California Adventure, a special holiday parade and fireworks show, “snow” on Main Street, and it’s hard not to feel the holiday spirit.

People start crowding into Town Square up to an hour before the performance.

One word of warning, it gets bone-chilling cold at Disneyland at night this time of year. So be sure to dress warm and bring along a heavy jacket. I also recommend gloves.

Here’s the schedule of performances and guest narrators:

•Dec. 3, 4, 5: Kurt Russell

•Dec. 6, 7, 8: Edward James Olmos

•Dec. 9, 10, 11: Lou Diamond Phillips

•Dec. 12, 13: Dick Van Dyke

•Dec. 14: Marcia Gay Harden

•Dec. 15, 16: Patricia Heaton

•Dec. 17, 18, 19: Molly Ringwald

•Dec. 20: Dennis Haysbert

Performances are at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Disney warns that the narrators could change without notice.

And, yes, this is inside the park, so park admission is required.

There is limited seating, and for all Disneyland Annual Passholders, there is a contest under way to win seats for viewing.

For more information on the Candlelight Ceremony, visit http://disneyland.disney.go.com/entry/2012-december-candlelight-for-passholders/?CMP=EMC-DLRUSENFY13Q1APCLEM10004