WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, are excited to announce the date for the 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse at President's Park (White House). This year's kick-off to the holiday season in our nation's capital will be held Thursday, December 3, 2015, at 5 p.m. Free tickets for the lighting ceremony will be awarded through an online lottery.

The free ticket lottery will open at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Friday, October 16 and close at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, October 19. To enter the ticket lottery, go to www.thenationaltree.org and click the 'TICKET LOTTERY' link. Those without computer access may call 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777).

The National Christmas Tree Lighting, presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, is a great example of the countless ways there are to find your park. Launched in March 2015, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque is a public awareness and education movement to inspire people to connect with, celebrate, and support America's national parks and community-based programs. Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial and setting the stage for the Service's next 100 years, Find Your Park invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation's natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.

Additional information including talent announcements and coverage logistics for news media will happen at a later date.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 408 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

The National Park Service has cared for the White House and its grounds since 1933. President's Park, which includes the Ellipse and Lafayette Park, was officially included in the national park system in 1961.
Visit us at www.nps.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION 
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org

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SOURCE National Park Foundation