Celebrate the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting at President’s Park
WASHINGTON – Join the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation this holiday season to celebrate the 100th lighting of the National Christmas Tree on Nov. 30. at the Ellipse at President’s Park (White House). The National Christmas Tree Lighting ticket lottery will open on Oct. 25.
Here are five dates to know for this year’s tree lighting ceremony:
- Oct. 25: Free ticket lottery opens at 10 a.m. ET.
- Nov. 1: Free ticket lottery closes at 10 a.m. ET.
- Nov. 30: National Christmas Tree will be lit for the 100th time!
- Dec. 2: The National Christmas Tree area opens to the public.
- Dec. 11: CBS Network will air the broadcast at 8 p.m. ET.
Free tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony are awarded through an online lottery, which opens at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 25 and closes at 10 a.m. ET on Nov. 1. To enter the lottery, visit www.recreation.gov and click “TICKET LOTTERY.” You may also call 877-444-6777 to enter the lottery. Lottery applicants will be notified about their ticket status on Nov. 8.
This year’s event marks the 100th lighting of the National Christmas Tree. President Calvin Coolidge celebrated the first National Christmas Tree Lighting in 1923. Presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, this beloved American tradition features musical performances and the official ringing in of the holiday season.
Beginning Dec. 2 and through Jan. 1, 2023, the public can see the National Christmas Tree and the 58 trees decorated by states, territories, and schools managed by the Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
For more event information and updates, please visit thenationaltree.org and follow President’s Park on Facebook or Twitter.
About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The National Park Service has cared for the White House and its grounds since 1933. President’s Park, which includes the Ellipse and Lafayette Park, was officially included in the national park system in 1961. Visit us at: www.nps.gov, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter: www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate, and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.