The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will come from Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
The annual holiday tradition brings a tree from one of the country’s national forests to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
This year’s tree will travel across the country, stopping in communities along the way for celebrations and public appearances.
The official tour route was announced on October 1, 2026, with the first listed events scheduled to begin later that month.
Where was the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree selected?
The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is an 80-foot-tall grand fir selected from the Salmon River Ranger District of Idaho’s Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
According to the official announcement published on August 13, the tree was chosen by Jim Kaufmann, executive director of Capitol Grounds and Arboretum at the Architect of the Capitol, following a weeklong visit to the national forests.
Forest Service employees had identified more than 60 potential trees before Kaufmann toured a dozen candidates and made his final selection.
This is the first time the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests have provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The forest system covers more than 4 million acres and shares a longstanding connection with the Nez Perce Tribe.
When will the Capitol Christmas Tree arrive in Washington, D.C.?
The tree is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., in mid-November 2026, according to the Architect of the Capitol’s guidance on the annual tradition. An exact arrival date and time have not yet been confirmed in the official information reviewed.
Before reaching the nation’s capital, the tree will travel through several states, with free public celebrations planned along its route.
Some of the scheduled stops include:
- November 9: Sheridan, Wyoming
- November 10: Custer, South Dakota
- November 13: Peoria, Illinois
- November 16: Morgantown, West Virginia
- November 17: Hagerstown, Maryland, and Littlestown, Pennsylvania
The route also includes a November 19 stop at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, which is restricted to people with military identification.
What happens after the tree reaches the Capitol?
Once the grand fir arrives, the Architect of the Capitol’s team will install and decorate it on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.
The annual tradition, often called the People’s Tree, dates back to 1964, with the U.S. Forest Service providing trees from national forests since 1970. Each year, the tree represents the forest and communities from which it comes.
The official tree-lighting ceremony typically takes place in late November or early December. The specific date for the 2026 ceremony has not yet been announced in the official information reviewed.
For updates on the tree’s journey, community events and the lighting ceremony, visit the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website
