2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Set for December 3 on the Ellipse, With Free Ticket Lottery Winners Notified November 12

The 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 3, on the Ellipse at the White House and President's Park in Washington, hosted by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation. The tradition dates to 1923, making it more than a century old and one of the capital's signature holiday events, with live performances and holiday music.

Free tickets were distributed by lottery this year: applications ran from 10 a.m. Eastern on October 28 to 3 p.m. on November 4, and winners were notified on Thursday, November 12. Each winner could receive up to five free tickets; tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial gain, each household could apply only once, and every attendee, including infants, needs a ticket.

The tree grounds in President's Park will open to the public in December and remain on display through January 1. Those without tickets can watch for broadcast and streaming details to be announced by the foundation. (Source: National Park Foundation)

Source: National Park Foundation

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (5979ca36-afd0-436f-a9ae-b8cc124bd264).jpg」（NPS/ Liz Macro 摄，Public domain），图中为华盛顿国家圣诞树上的德州主题装饰球 Image: Wikimedia Commons "2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting (5979ca36-afd0-436f-a9ae-b8cc124bd264).jpg" (by NPS/ Liz Macro, Public domain), A Texas-themed ornament on the National Christmas Tree in Washington

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