White House Easter Egg Roll 2026: Ticket Lottery, Schedule, Celebrity Line-Up & Live-Stream Details

The South Lawn of the White House bursts back to life today, Monday April 6, 2026, as families from all 56 states and territories gather for the 143rd White House Easter Egg Roll – a Washington tradition that blends springtime fun with presidential pageantry. When and where Gates open at 7 a.m. ET, with timed entries running through the afternoon. Ticket-holders should enter at 18th Street NW and E Street NW; Secret Service security screening is mandatory. Streets surrounding the Ellipse and White House complex—including portions of 17th, 18th, Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues—remain closed to vehicles until the event wraps up this evening. 2026 theme: “Stars, Stripes & Sprinkles” First Lady Melania Trump curated a patriotic theme that nods to America’s upcoming 250th birthday, adding red-white-and-blue décor, a cupcake-inspired “Sprinkle Garden,” live military bands and story time with U.S. Olympians. President Donald J. Trump is slated to give brief remarks at 10 a.m. before joining children in the traditional egg-rolling race, streamed live by The Hill and other outlets. How to get White House Easter Egg Roll tickets Admission is always free, but every visitor must win the online lottery run through Recreation.gov. The 2026 lottery opened February 26 and closed March 4; winners were notified March 10 and could request up to six tickets with at least one child aged 13 or under per group. Missed out? Mark your calendar—the 2027 lottery is expected to launch late February next year. Logistics & what to bring • Small purses, diaper bags and strollers are allowed; coolers, selfie sticks and aerosol cans are not. • The South Lawn is grass: wear flat shoes. • Metro riders should exit at Federal Triangle or Metro Center to avoid street closures. A brief history The White House Easter Egg Roll dates to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes welcomed children banned from rolling eggs on Capitol Hill lawns. Past first ladies introduced folk dancing, costumed characters and today’s spoon-and-egg relay, while Nancy Reagan began the wooden souvenir egg giveaway in 1981. Souvenir eggs & merchandise This year’s official wooden egg set features five colors—ruby, navy, ivory, gold and sky blue—with “America 250” foil accents. Sets are available at the White House Historical Association shop and online, while supplies last. Volunteer and view from home Hundreds of volunteers keep the lines moving; 2026 applications closed February 27, but interested locals can apply next winter. For virtual visitors, the White House streams continuous panoramic video on its website and social channels; major networks are carrying highlights throughout the day. Bottom line Whether you’re rolling eggs on the South Lawn, watching the livestream or planning to enter next year’s lottery, the 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll offers a uniquely American blend of history, family fun and patriotic flair—perfect fodder for your spring travel bucket list and your next search for “how to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll.”