White House Easter Egg Roll: Event Information and History

Children participate in the traditional egg roll at the 2018 event.

NPS / Nathan King

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a popular annual event hosted by the White House. The South Lawn of the White House is filled with exciting activities for the whole family, including storytime, games, live entertainment, and the traditional Easter Egg Roll.

2026 White House Easter Egg Roll

The 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026. Tickets are required for event entry. Tickets to the Easter Egg Roll are awarded using a lottery system. Please visit Recreation.gov to enter the ticket lottery for the event. The lottery opens February 26, 2026 (12:00 PM ET) and closes March 4, 2026 (12:00 PM ET). Lottery results will be announced March 10, 2026.

Ticket Information

• There is no charge for entering the lottery.
• Only one application is allowed per household.
• Lottery requires at least 1 child (age 13 and under) and 1 adult to apply; a maximum of 2 adults can enter per application.
• Tickets are free and limited to 6 per household.
• Please ensure your account contact information is correct and current as your email will be used for lottery and ticket communications.
• Results will be announced on March 10, and an email will be sent to successful lottery applicants.

History of the Egg Roll

In the 1870s, Capitol Hill had become a popular spot for children to roll eggs—and themselves—down the hill on Easter Monday. As the event grew more popular, the toll on the grounds was noticeable. In 1876, Congress passed a law forbidding the Capitol grounds to be used as a children's playground. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued an order that if any children should come to the White House to roll their Easter eggs, they would be allowed to do so. The tradition has been carried on since, and has grown into the major event you can experience today. For more information on past White House Easter Egg Roll events, visit the White House Historical Association's website.