National Christmas Tree Lighting 2018 ticket lottery begins

WASHINGTON - The online lottery for a chance to win free tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse in the nation's capital is now open.

The lottery opened at 10 a.m. on Thursday. This year's ceremony will be held on November 28 and will mark the ninety-sixth year of the celebration. President Calvin Coolidge held the first National Christmas Tree Lighting in 1923.

To enter the lottery, visit Recreation.gov and click the "ENTER LOTTERY" link. Those without computer access can call 877-444-6777 to enter the lottery. The lottery closes at 10 a.m. on October 22.

Lottery winners will be notified on October 29.

The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce from Virginia. It can be seen year-round in President's Park. In addition, fifty-six smaller trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree will feature one-of-a-kind ornaments, representing U.S. states, territories and D.C.