Want to See the National Christmas Tree Lighting? Free Ticket Lottery Opens Soon
It is almost that time of year, and tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C., are free, but you’ll need to enter a lottery for a chance to attend. The lottery opens October 28 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
The National Park Service announced on October 19 that this year’s ceremony will take place December 3, 2026. It will be held on the Ellipse, south of the White House.
The lottery closes November 4 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Winners will be notified November 12 and may receive up to five tickets per household.
The National Park Service and National Park Foundation host the annual event, which includes live performances and holiday music. The tradition dates back more than 100 years.
How Do You Enter the Ticket Lottery?
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Applications will be available through Recreation.gov when the lottery opens. There is no fee to enter, and only one application is allowed per household.
Extra applications from the same household will be voided. Everyone attending needs a ticket, including infants, and entering the lottery does not guarantee tickets.
Before applying, check that the email address on your Recreation.gov account is current. Winners will receive an email explaining how to access their tickets through that account. Ticket holders will also receive arrival and security screening instructions before the ceremony. That information will include accessibility details and prohibited items.
Can You See the Tree Without Ceremony Tickets?
The tree site is free to visit during the holiday season; however, the National Park Service has not yet released the 2026 public visiting schedule.
The ceremony will also premiere on the National Park Foundation’s YouTube channel, according to the event website. Additional media partners have yet to be announced.
President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve in 1923. It was a 48-foot balsam fir from Vermont decorated with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs.
