Washington, D.C., is already gearing up for the holiday season, and preparations are underway for one of its most anticipated events: the National Christmas Tree Lighting. The annual ceremony takes place on the Ellipse in President’s Park, just south of the White House.
The event will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2026, and will feature live music and performances. The tradition dates back to 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree. However, attending the ceremony isn’t as simple as just showing up: tickets are free, but they’re distributed through a lottery. Here’s what you need to know to enter.
How to enter the National Christmas Tree Lighting lottery
You can enter the lottery through the official Recreation.gov page from 10:00 a.m. ET on October 28 to 3:00 p.m. ET on November 4. Entering is free, and so are the tickets if you’re selected. There’s no need to rush: since winners are chosen at random, submitting your entry early won’t increase your chances.
Only one entry per household is allowed, and any additional entries will be voided. Each household can receive up to five tickets, and every attendee needs one, including infants.
Lottery results will be announced on Thursday, November 12. Winners will receive an email with instructions on how to access their tickets through their Recreation.gov account. Make sure the email address associated with your account is correct, and remember to check your spam folder on November 12, just in case.
Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial gain. For updates on the ceremony and its program, check the official event website. Additional details about arrival times, security screenings, accessibility, and prohibited items will be sent to ticket holders before the event.
Can you see the tree even if you don’t win the lottery?
If you’re not selected in the lottery, don’t worry: you can still admire the tree in the days that follow. The National Christmas Tree grounds will open to the public several days after the ceremony and remain accessible through January 1, 2027.
For 2026, there’s another attraction to look forward to: a new light show running from December 7 through January 1. The lights are typically on from sunset until 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Nearby, you’ll also find smaller Christmas trees decorated with ornaments created by students from across the United States and its territories.
If you can’t attend the ceremony in person, you’ll also be able to watch it on the National Park Foundation’s YouTube channel.
Where to find the National Christmas Tree and how to get there
The National Christmas Tree stands on the Ellipse in President’s Park, near the intersection of 15th Street NW and E Street NW. Don’t confuse it with the Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol, which has its own separate lighting ceremony. One of the most convenient ways to get there is by Metrorail: the nearby Federal Triangle station is served by the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. There is no visitor parking on the Ellipse.
