2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Route Announced

2026 Peoples Tree Final

Kamiah, ID, October 1, 2026 — The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be visiting communities on its journey from Idaho to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building this holiday season. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, along with nonprofit partner Society of American Foresters, 2026 presenting sponsor Idaho Forest Group, other contributing organizations, and local communities are planning a series of events as the tree makes its way to Washington, D.C.

Festivities will be held at communities along the route, and well-wishers can view and take pictures with the tree and truck, sign the banner, buy official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise, and learn more about the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and Idaho.

Festivities are free and open to the public. Dates and locations include:

Thursday, Oct. 29: Grangeville, Idaho

Friday, Oct. 30: Lewiston, Idaho

Saturday Oct. 31: Moscow, Idaho

Sunday, Nov. 1: Orofino, Idaho and Kamiah, Idaho

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Lolo, Montana

Wednesday, Nov. 4: Salmon, Idaho

Thursday, Nov. 5: Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho and Twin Falls, Idaho

Friday, Nov. 6: Idaho Falls, Idaho

Saturday, Nov. 7: Gardiner, Montana

Monday, Nov. 9: Sheridan, Wyoming

Tuesday, Nov. 10: Custer, South Dakota

Thursday, Nov. 12: Mitchell, South Dakota and Albert Lea, Minnesota

Friday, Nov. 13: Peoria, Illinois

Saturday, Nov. 14: Richmond, Indiana

Monday, Nov. 16: Morgantown, West Virginia

Tuesday, Nov. 17: Hagerstown, Maryland and Littlestown, Pennsylvania

Thursday, Nov. 19: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (military ID access only)

Partners and communities will finalize event details over the next several weeks. For the latest information, monitor www.uscapitolchristmastree.com and all U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree social media platforms.

About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 56-year tradition in which one of America’s 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from the 2026 presenting sponsor, Idaho Forest Group; the nonprofit partner, the Society of American Foresters; the Nez Perce Tribe; and by contributions from companies and volunteers across America.

We invite the public to follow the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project:

To learn more about the history of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visit www.aoc.gov/what-we-do/programs-ceremonies/capitol-christmas-tree. Follow along at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.