National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The White House and President's Park
Lottery Opening Soon
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Lottery is open! Get into the holiday spirit and enter for your chance to celebrate the season at President’s Park. You can learn more about the event below and apply for tickets through our event lottery.
Event History
On December 3, 2026, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation will present the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at President's Park in Washington, DC.
This ceremony is a beloved holiday tradition dating back to Christmas Eve in 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree.
Now, more than 100 years later, this tradition continues with musical performers and special guests bringing people together in one of America’s National Parks to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
After the lighting ceremony and throughout the month of December, visitors are invited to view the National Christmas Tree, as well as the 58 surrounding trees honoring the states, territories, and District of Columbia.
Lottery Opening Soon
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Lottery is open! Get into the holiday spirit and enter for your chance to celebrate the season at President’s Park. You can learn more about the event below and apply for tickets through our event lottery.
Event History
On December 3, 2026, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation will present the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at President's Park in Washington, DC.
This ceremony is a beloved holiday tradition dating back to Christmas Eve in 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas Tree.
Now, more than 100 years later, this tradition continues with musical performers and special guests bringing people together in one of America’s National Parks to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
After the lighting ceremony and throughout the month of December, visitors are invited to view the National Christmas Tree, as well as the 58 surrounding trees honoring the states, territories, and District of Columbia.
Need to Know
- Contact Information for Lottery Updates
Your email address is our primary means for notifying you of lottery results. To ensure you receive important messages related to the lottery, please update your email address and contact information before entering the lottery. Please also ensure you add Recreation.gov to your address book or safe senders list and check your “spam” or “junk mail” folder for notifications.
- Important Dates for 2026
Lottery Opens: October 28 (10am EDT)
Lottery Closes: November 4 (3pm EST)
Lottery Results Announced: November 12
Event Date: December 3
- Ticket Information
There is no charge for entering the lottery.
Tickets are also free, but limited to 5 per household.
All attendees, including infants, are required to have a ticket.
Only one application allowed per household; all other applications will be voided.
Ensure your account contact information is correct and current as your email address will be used for lottery and ticket communications.
Results will be announced on November 12, and emails will be sent to all lottery winners with instructions to access tickets from your Recreation.gov account for the event.
For more information, please visit https://thenationaltree.org or the NPS President’s Park National Christmas Tree page.
Changes and Cancellations
There is no charge to apply for tickets to this event.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
DC
Phone Number
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED SUPPORT WITH THE TICKET LOTTERY, THE QUICKEST WAY TO FIND THE ANSWER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS TO VISIT THE RECREATION.GOV HELP CENTER. FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO RECREATION.GOV BY EMAIL, CHAT, OR OVER THE PHONE. CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE CONTACT US PAGE. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER AT 202–208–1631 OR PRESIDENTS_PARK@NPS.GOV, OR VISIT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WEBSITE AT WWW.NPS.GOV/WHHO.
Available Tours and Tickets
- Standing General Admission
- Seated General Admission
- National Christmas Tree Lighting Lottery
- Reserved Seating (Silver)
- Standing Area Overflow
- Reserved Seating (Red)
- Reserved Seating (Green)
- Reserved Seating (Blue)
- Reserved Seating (Gold)
