Holiday Event: 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Lottery Launches

The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation opened the free online lottery on Wednesday for the 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event is scheduled for December 3 at President's Park in Washington, D.C. The primary goal is to distribute limited access to the public for this annual holiday tradition.

Applications will be accepted until November 4 at 3 p.m. Participants can enter through the Recreation.gov platform. The organization will notify applicants of their ticket status by November 12. This timeline allows families to plan their travel and lodging in advance of the holiday season.

Each household may request up to five tickets. All attendees require a ticket for entry, including infants. The event is free to enter, though the limited number of passes ensures that only a fraction of the interested public can attend in person.

The ceremony has a long history, dating back to 1923 during the administration of President Calvin Coolidge. Past editions have featured performances by Patti LaBelle, Mannheim Steamroller, and the U.S. Navy Band. The organizers have not yet announced the entertainers or special guests for this year's lineup.

The 2025 ceremony took place on the Ellipse on December 4. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended that event. The 2026 gathering will continue the tradition of bringing together government officials and citizens to mark the start of the holiday season in the nation's capital.