The National Park Service and National Park Foundation are inviting people to enter the free ticket lottery for the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting at The White House and President’s Park.
The ceremony will take place Dec. 3 on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. The lottery opens at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and closes at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Enter online at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony page on Recreation.gov. There is no charge to enter or receive tickets. Winners will be notified on Thursday, Nov. 12, and each may receive up to five tickets. Entering does not guarantee tickets. Tickets are free and may not be sold or transferred for commercial gain.
Ticket holders will receive additional information about arrival, accessibility, security screening, and prohibited items before the ceremony. Event information and updates will be available at thenationaltree.org and nps.gov/whho.
Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
