November 3, 2009

 Washington, DC – The National Park Service has announced a new lottery system for tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  This is the first year a lottery has ever been held for ticket seekers, in previous years visitors were required to stand in line on a specified day in order to receive tickets. 

This year, 9,800 tickets will be available, 2,800 seated tickets and 7,000 standing room.  The standing room tickets are also new this year.

The new online lottery will be available beginning at 12:01 am (EST) on Wednesday November 4th.  The lottery will remain open until 12:59 pm (EST) on Friday, November 6th.  Those wishing to obtain tickets should go to www.thenationaltree.org.  Alternatively, if you would like tickets but are unable to access the site, you can call 877-444-6777 (or 877-833-677 for TDD).

“This new lottery system will open the ticketing process to a greater number of Americans,” said Congressman Christopher Carney.  “Seeing the National Christmas Tree Lighting live is a wonderful opportunity and I encourage my constituents to take advantage of the lottery.” 

Ticket seekers can also visit Congressman Carney’s website (www.carney.house.gov) for links to the lottery and other Lighting Ceremony events, on the “Visiting DC” page. 

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Thursday, December 3rd.  Gates will open for ticket holders at 3:30 pm.  The National Park Service says all ticket seekers may check the status of their request online or through the call center beginning November 9th.

                                                                                                   ###