The official ceremony will be held on December 2, without a live audience. It will then be broadcast on December 5 nationawide.
The date for the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at President’s Park has finally been announced. This year will be the 99th year a U.S. President has hosted the annual tree lighting, starting with Calving Coolidge in 1923. The event will be broadcast to everyone at home via CBS on Sunday, December 5, at 9 p.m. EST.
The tree display will officially open to the public beginning on December 4 and remain open through January 1.
The National Tree lighting will be hosted by LL Cool J, with appearances by a variety of musical artists, including Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, and Patti LaBelle. The U.S. Army Band Downrange and the Howard Gospel Choir will also be performing.
Prior to COVID-19, the National Park Service would hold a lottery where citizens could get tickets to the live event. The National Tree Lighting is an opportunity for the first family to celebrate the kickoff of the holiday season with the nation. Unfortunately, officials decided to hold it without an audience for one more year.
The display at President's Park is open 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday, and 10 a.m.-–11 p.m. on Friday–Saturday through New Year’s Day. The National Tree is a living tree donated by the Hill View Christmas Tree Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. The 27-foot White Fir replaced a Colorado blue spruce that died from needle cast disease.
In addition to the National Tree, guests can view 56 trees, one for each state and U.S. territory. The trees all have a unique state ornament, custom-designed by residents themselves. Trees are illuminated each day starting at 4 p.m.
