President's Park (White House) - National_Christmas_Tree

2008 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree

NPS Photo by Terry Adams

The National Christmas Tree was lit on December 4, 2008 in President's Park. This living Colorado blue spruce tree is located on the Ellipse, just south of the White House.

Special Announcements

Details for the 2009 National Christmas Tree Program have not been announced. Please check the website regularly for updated information.

The annual National Christmas Tree Program takes place each year from early December through January 1, on the Ellipse south of the White House grounds.

Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony

The tree lighting ceremony begins each year’s National Christmas Tree Program. Nationally known entertainers and a military band add to the celebratory evening in which the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world. The culmination of the evening is the illumination of the National Christmas Tree.

Trains! Santa's Workshop!! State trees and ornaments!!!

National Christmas Tree Program Activities

Seasonal displays include a Yule log and a large-scale model train. For the 15th consecutive year, the National Christmas Tree Railroad will provide model trains that surround the base of the National Christmas Tree. The trains will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily through January 1st.

For the second time this year, the seasonal displays will include a Santa’s Workshop sponsored by UL. The Workshop will be open at select times for children to visit with Santa.

In what becomes the "Christmas Pathway of Peace," the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees--one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia--serve as the event focal point. All 57 trees will be lit each evening at dusk until 11:00 p.m. and will be lit each night through January 1st. Sponsoring organizations in each state provide the tree decorations and each decoration is encased in a protective plastic globe to shield it from the weather.

National Christmas Tree Nightly Performances

Musical entertainment, featuring musical performances by volunteer choirs, bands and dancers, will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage during the month of December.

To print out this year's schedule: TBA

Weeknight performances will be performed between 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekend performances will be performed between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

It's free, no tickets required!

The National Park Service will be accepting applications for the 2009 evening music program from Tuesday, September 1 until Friday, September 18. On-line applications will be available in late August 2009. Click here for more information