The tours will begin on Dec. 2, when visitors will be able to once again explore the house via a new route that offers guests “the opportunity to experience the history and beauty of the People’s House.”
All December tours will include views of the State Floor decorated for Christmas, designed and curated by First Lady Melania Trump.
“Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the beloved annual tradition that transforms the White House into a festive reflection of the spirit, warmth, faith, and hope of the holiday season,” reads a White House press release.
Congressional offices can begin submitting tour requests for constituents starting on Nov. 3. Availability for December opens 30 days before each potential tour date, while January 2026 slots are likely to become available to Congressional offices at some point during December.
Public tours are self-guided and free, and typically take place between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, not including federal holidays.
Tour schedules can change due to inclement weather or other scheduling conflicts. The tours cover public rooms on the State Floor, including the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, Cross Hall, and the Entrance Hall. Secret Service officers are stationed throughout and are available to provide information about historic art, furnishings, and other details.
“The White House is one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the world, yet the White House is currently unable to host major functions honoring world leaders and other countries without having to install a large and unsightly tent approximately 100 yards away from the main building entrance,” reads a White House news release from July 31 announcing the new ballroom.
The ballroom is designed to hold 650 seated guests, and the construction is led by architects McCrery, Clark Construction, and AECOM.
