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What you need to know about this year’s National Christmas Tree Lighting

Winter is coming, and so is the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, which will take place on Nov. 30 at D.C.’s President Park.

According to The National Park Foundation, an online lottery to win free tickets opens on Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Nov 8.

You can go online to take part in the lottery and click “Ticket Lottery.”

Those who take part in the ticket lottery will be informed on Nov. 15 if they got tickets.

Biden Christmas Tree
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and LL Cool J react after lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Since 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge took part in the National Christmas Tree Lighting, it’s become a tradition celebrating the holiday season. Just like in previous years, there will be public speakers and musical performances.

“The National Christmas Tree Lighting continues to inspire people everywhere to pause to enjoy cherished traditions and memories made with family and friends in national parks during the holiday season,” the National Park Foundation said on its website.

CBS will air a special National Christmas Tree Lighting show at 8 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The park will open to the public on Dec. 2, which is two days after the lighting ceremony

National Museum of the American Latino to be housed in historic Smithsonian building

The Smithsonian Institution has decided to put the National Museum of the American Latino into an existing, historic building, rather than constructing a new one. The Smithsonian Board of Regents on Monday designated the Arts and Industries Building, a 145-year-old redbrick Victorian structure located between the Smithsonian Castle and the Hirshhorn Museum, as the permanent site of the National Museum of the American Latino, which Congress authorized in 2020. In 2022, the Smithsonian narrowed its survey for permanent locations for the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum to four locations near the National Mall on land owned by the National Park Service. The Arts and Industries Building, located at 900 Jefferson St. SW, was one of the four sites. New construction on National Park Service land would require congressional approval. However, since the Smithsonian already owns the Arts and Industries Building, the institution can place the National Museum of the American Latino in the existing building without additional legislation.
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