With 21 days until Christmas Day, the National Christmas Tree has arrived, been decorated, and lit to celebrate the holiday season.
The 35-foot spruce tree made its journey from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia early Thursday morning, and the event has attracted visitors from all over the country.
“So I’ve never been here, and so it’s a wonderful experience with my family,” said Melissa from Pensacola, Florida. “We are just exploring the city, and it’s so beautiful.”
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Every year, students adorn the tree with ornaments from every state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This year’s ornaments focused on the history, heritage, and culture of the artists’ homes across the country.
“Someone in the Capitol area in my neighborhood said they had an extra ticket, so I lucked out here. … I just came straight from work. I don’t have any gloves, so I’m going to freeze, but it’s going to be great, it’s going to be fun,” Marybeth Morgan said.
President Calvin Coolidge began the National Christmas Tree lighting tradition when he walked to the Ellipse to light the tree in 1923, accompanied by a performance from the U.S. Marine Band. President Donald Trump continues the 103-year tradition.
In addition to the National Christmas Tree, 58 trees were also decorated in the President’s Park. America250, a bipartisan organization leading celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary, also debuted its tree with ornaments designed by winners of a school contest that asked the question: “What does America mean to you?”
“We are honored to partner with the National Park Foundation on this long-standing tradition. As we celebrate the creativity of this year’s America’s Field Trip winners, we’re also inviting students across the country to add their voices to this historic moment,” an America250 spokesperson said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “We encourage all students in grades 3–12 to enter the contest by March 30 for a chance to have their artwork featured on next year’s tree.“
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participated in the annual lighting, with Trump speaking on the holiday season beginning.
“Tonight, this beautiful evergreen tree glows bright on the dark and cold winter night and reminds us of the words of [the] Gospel of John,” Trump said. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. Beautiful words with the birth of Jesus, human history turned from night to day. His word and his example call us to love one another to serve one another.”
This year’s lighting celebration featured musical performances from Gabby Barrett and Matthew West, Alana Springsteen, and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble, among others.
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The public can view the ceremony on Great American Family at 8 p.m. Friday.
The tree will be lit daily after sunset and stay up until the new year.
