Date: November 22, 2016
Contact: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles (NPS), 202-619-7177
Contact: Alanna Sobel (NPF), 202-796-2538
Contact: Pam Slay (Hallmark), 818-755-2480
Lighting ceremony takes place Dec. 1, televised on Hallmark Channel Dec. 5 (7P.M. ET/PT)
WASHINGTON– Eva Longoria will host the 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and Marc Anthony, Afro Blue, and the Airmen of Note will join Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Yolanda Adams, James Taylor, The Lumineers, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood in performing a collection of holiday favorites.
Taking place on Thursday, December 1, on the Ellipse at President’s Park (White House), the special event wraps the National Park Service Centennial year and celebrates the launch of a second century of discovery and stewardship. Through a partnership with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, the National Christmas Tree Lighting will be televised exclusively on Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 5.
Dates to note:
● December 1: National Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on the Ellipse in President’s Park
● December 5 at 7 p.m. ET/PT: National Christmas Tree Lighting telecast exclusively on Hallmark Channel
An American holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923, the National Christmas Tree Lighting is a great example of the countless ways there are to #FindYourPark. Launched in March 2015, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque is a public awareness and education movement to inspire people to connect with, celebrate, and support America’s national parks and community-based programs. Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial and setting the stage for the Service's next 100 years, Find Your Park invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation's natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.
Keep up with the National Christmas Tree on Twitter at @TheNationalTree, follow #NCTL2016 on social media, and visitwww.thenationaltree.org for more information about the event and its history.
EDITORS NOTE: Credentials are REQUIRED to cover this event. The window to apply for credentials has closed.
*Please note that a previous release said it would be televised on Hallmark Channel on Friday, December 2. The new date it will be televised on the network is Monday, December 5.
