How to Get Your Ticket to the White House Easter Egg Roll

The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a springtime tradition for over 130 years!  And it is truly the opportunity of a lifetime!

The annual White House Easter Egg Roll will be held on Monday, April 18th, 2022, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  35,000 lucky guests from across the nation will gather on the South Lawn of the White House for games, storytelling, entertainment, and egg rolling.

Click here for the lottery link for the White House Easter Egg Roll, read further for details.

The 2022 Easter Egg Roll lottery will open at 10AM EST on March 25th and will close at 10AM EST on March 31st. The results of the lottery will be announced on April 7th.

Details on the White House Easter Egg Roll

• The White House Easter Egg Roll happens each year and is a free and event for kids and their parents.
• This tradition has been around longer than any other tradition to come out of the Presidential office.
• The event is really much more than just an egg hunt.
• The event of the day that everyone eagerly awaits is the roll on the white house lawn.  The children line up and roll a hard-boiled egg down about 10 yards in a race.
• Additionally, the White House will open the South Lawn to families for activities like egg decorating, book readings by celebrities, sports, cooking classes, live musical performances, storytelling and the traditional White House Easter Egg Roll.
• The President and First Lady also traditionally make an appearance to greet the children and wish everyone a happy Easter.
• The White House Easter Egg Roll happens the Monday after Easter.

History of the White House Easter Egg Roll

History reflects that Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, is to credit for the very first event, dating back to 1814. Hundreds of children brought their decorated eggs to join in the games.  Originally the event took place on the capitol building’s lawn.

In 1878, President Hayes moved the location of the Easter Egg Roll to the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday.

Presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the White House Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment.

There was a 12-year hiatus during World War I and II with the events resuming in 1953

The official White House Bunny arrived on the scene in 1969, as one of Pat Nixon’s staff dressed in a white fleece bunny costume roaming the grounds and welcoming the egg rollers and posed for pictures.

By 1974 the activities evolved into organized egg-rolling races.

The 1981 White House Easter Egg Roll featured assorted clowns and characters, balloon vendors, Broadway show vignettes, a petting zoo, exhibits of antique cars, and an eggxposition of  50 uniquely decorated eggs (one for each state).

Each participant received a goody bag filled with a program, toy products supplied by corporate sponsors, and food. Since 1987 the event’s theme has been inscribed on each egg, and by 1989 George and Barbara Bush added their facsimile signatures.

Since 1987 the event’s theme has been inscribed on each egg, and by 1989 George and Barbara Bush added their signatures.

The National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, produces and sells the commemorative White House Easter eggs.  Each child 13 years and younger who attends the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn will also receive a souvenir egg.

Today, the Easter Egg Roll has grown from a few local children rolling eggs on the White House lawn to become the largest event held at the White House.

How to get tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Tickets for the event are distributed free of charge via an online lottery system, allowing guests from across the United States to participate. All attendees must have a ticket.

The lottery opens about 2 months before the event. The lottery takes into account family size, the geographic area in the country, and the time you request in determining who wins the tickets.

Our tips for securing tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll:

• Mark your calendars for 6 weeks in advance.
• The lottery sign-ups are done on National Park Service website recreation.gov (typically 6 weeks before the event)
• You can also check for information at the White House Egg Roll website. This website will be updated whenever new Easter Egg Roll information is released, so be sure to check back often!
• If you want to receive a reminder to enter when the lottery opens, just follow us on any of our social media sites. We’ll be sure to share the lottery entry dates with you!  Facebook  Twitter  

Frequently Asked White House Easter Egg Roll Questions:

Is there an age limit to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll?

The event is open to children 13 and younger.

Is there a dress code for the White House Easter Egg Roll?

While there isn’t a specific dress code, keep in mind that most people wear their Sunday best when they attend this event. Plus, I know I am always bummed each year when my kids only wear their Easter outfits once.

Where does the White House Easter Egg Roll take place?

The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place on the South Lawn of the White House.

Do you have to have a background check to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll?

There is a security screening that people who are attending the White House Easter Egg Roll have to go through. You are going to an event at the White House after all.

Can you buy memorabilia from the Easter Egg Roll even if you don’t attend?

You can purchase official White House Easter Egg Roll eggs online or in the White House Gift Shop. Check out the online gift shop here.

Another great Spring time event for families is the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Find out more here.