EST. 1790 · The District of Columbia
FestivalHolidayLive Music

National Christmas Tree Lighting 2026

When
2026 ceremony date not announced. The official site says the 2025 ceremony was 4 December; recheck the lottery and ceremony page before planning.
Where
President's Park (The Ellipse)
Price
Free (lighting ceremony by lottery; tree viewing free)
The Washington Monument and flags floodlit at night

Photo by IIONA VIRGIN on Unsplash

About

The National Christmas Tree Lighting is an annual ticket-lottery ceremony on the Ellipse, followed by free public viewing of the National Christmas Tree and surrounding state and territory trees. The 2026 ceremony date is not yet announced.

Highlights

  • Annual lighting ceremony on the Ellipse
  • Free public tree viewing begins after the ceremony

Practical tips

  • Do not book around the placeholder date
  • Use the official site and Recreation.gov lottery when the 2026 schedule is released

Where it is

Scroll to load the map

Map pins

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Tiles © OpenFreeMap