White House Christmas Tree Lighting

Today the tree lighting remains a beloved holiday event in washington dc.

White house christmas tree lighting. Roosevelt s cherished christmas family tradition in his memoir my 21 years in the white house 1960. First lady melania trump welcomed the 2020 white house christmas tree monday afternoon continuing the long held tradition even as the coronavirus pandemic rages on and as president donald trump s. According to a statement from the national christmas tree association which has presented the official white house tree on behalf of growers for more than five decades white house superintendent. Maitre d and butler alonzo fields recalled president franklin d.

Every year early in december the tree is traditionally lit by the president of the united states. The national christmas tree is a large evergreen tree located in the northeast quadrant of the ellipse near the white house in washington d c. First lady melania trump and her son barron welcome the official white house christmas tree to the north portico entrance of the white house monday november 20 2017. Later that night african american community centers held an outdoor worship service on these grounds.

They always braved the hazards of fire by having a christmas tree lighted with candles in the east hall. The tradition of the national christmas tree on the ellipse began with president calvin coolidge over 90 years ago when he lit a 48 foot balsam fir from vermont decorated with 2 500 electric bulbs in red white and green on christmas eve 1923. The white house welcomes the holiday season with the national christmas tree lighting ceremony in december. Presented by the national park service and the national park foundation this beloved american tradition features musical performances and the official lighting of the national christmas tree on the ellipse at president s park white house.

The national christmas tree lighting ceremony. The 2019 tree lighting. Watch the 2020 ceremony and holiday performances on thursday december 3. First lady melania trump.