Lottery opens for 2026 Christmas tree lighting
Applications for the free event are now open until November 4, with the ceremony set for December 3.
By Giovanni Serrano ·
Five tickets per household represent the cap on attendance for the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The free online lottery for these limited passes opened at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28.
The event traces its origins to 1923 under President Calvin Coolidge. For the current year, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation are managing the distribution of access to President's Park. This year's ceremony is scheduled for December 3. In the previous year, the event took place on December 4.
Applicants have until 3 p.m. on November 4 to submit their requests. The organizers will notify participants of their ticket status by November 12. Each household may enter up to five people. Every attendee requires a ticket, including infants.
The entertainment lineup for this year's ceremony has not yet been revealed. Organizers plan to announce the specific performers and special guests at a later date. Previous years have featured acts such as Patti LaBelle, Mannheim Steamroller, and the U.S. Navy Band.
The White House typically hosts the President and First Lady at the event. Last year, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the ceremony. The current administration is expected to follow similar protocol for the December 3 gathering.
Source: FOX 5 DC
