Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery is Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m. No registration is needed. Pass holders lay wreaths Dec. 12-13.
Last checked Oct. 27, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Arlington National Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America page, its plan your visit and parking pages, and Wreaths Across America.
National Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery is Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, beginning at 8 a.m., the cemetery says. Members of the public can place a wreath at the base of a veteran’s headstone or columbarium niche, and registration is not required. Family pass holders get two days of their own the weekend before. For cemetery questions, call 877-907-8585.
What this means for you
- Public day: Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m. No registration needed; the cemetery suggests signing up with Wreaths Across America for updates.
- Family pass holders: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Getting there: take Metro. The Welcome Center garage fills, costs up to $12 a day and closes at 6 p.m.
- Wreaths come off: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027.
The dates
| Date | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Family Pass Holder Days | Family pass holders |
| Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m. | National Wreaths Across America Day | Everyone |
| Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027 | Wreaths Out (removal) | Volunteers; details to come |
The cemetery says it and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington expanded this year’s Family Pass Holder Day into a two-day weekend.
How to take part on Dec. 19
The cemetery’s Wreaths Across America page says volunteers may place wreaths at the base of a veteran’s headstone or columbarium niche. Registration is not required, but the cemetery recommends registering with Wreaths Across America to get the latest information for volunteers. Wreaths are sponsored through the Wreaths Across America site.
The cemetery had not posted gate, timing or shuttle details for Dec. 19 when we checked on Oct. 27. We will add them here when it does.
Getting there and parking
The main entrance is at 1 Memorial Ave., according to the cemetery’s plan your visit page:
- Metro: the Arlington Cemetery stop is a five-minute walk west along Memorial Avenue. The Ord and Weitzel Gate, on the north side near the Marine Corps War Memorial, is a 15-minute walk from the Rosslyn station.
- Parking: the Welcome Center garage costs $3 an hour, up to $12 a day, and closes promptly at 6 p.m., the parking page says. Prepaying online does not guarantee a space.
- Security and ID: people who walk in, take Metro or park in the Welcome Center garage go through screening in the Welcome Center and do not need a REAL ID. Anyone over 18 entering by vehicle at a gate must show a REAL ID-compliant card.
On a December Saturday the roads around the cemetery are busy; check our road construction and closures page before you drive, and our getting around page for Metro, ART buses and parking meters elsewhere in Arlington.
Nearby closures
The U.S. Air Force Memorial and the area around it are closed to all visitors from on or about Nov. 2 until mid-December 2026 for work on the cemetery’s Southern Expansion project, Arlington National Cemetery said. Check that it has reopened before planning a stop there on Dec. 19.
Public wreath ceremonies through the year
Separate from Wreaths Across America, groups can request a public wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The cemetery sets a dress code for public wreath ceremonies and takes requests on its request a ceremony page.
Related guides: Arlington National Cemetery, Veterans Day, holiday lights and Christmas events and Christmas parade and tree lighting.
Frequently asked questions
When is Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery in 2026?
National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, beginning at 8 a.m., Arlington National Cemetery says. Family pass holders have their own days on Dec. 12 and 13.
Do I need to register to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery?
No. The cemetery says registration is not required for Dec. 19, but it recommends registering with Wreaths Across America to get the latest volunteer information.
How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America?
By Metro. The Arlington Cemetery stop is a five-minute walk from the main entrance at 1 Memorial Ave., and the Ord and Weitzel Gate is a 15-minute walk from Rosslyn. The Welcome Center garage costs $3 an hour, up to $12 a day.
When are the wreaths removed at Arlington National Cemetery?
The cemetery lists Wreaths Out, when volunteers collect the wreaths, for Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027. Details are still to come.
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