December 1—January 1
You know the holidays have truly arrived in the District when the National Christmas Tree goes up. Every year in the beginning of December, the National Park Service puts up a massive Christmas tree in President's Park on the Ellipse just across from The White House. If you turn the other direction, you'll see the Washington Monument. President Calvin Coolidge started the tradition in 1923 when he pressed the button to light a 48-foot Balsam fir in front of 3,000 onlookers.
The tree is lit during a televised ceremony typically held in the first week of December; at the ceremony, the President (and often the First Lady, too) light the tree and various musical guests perform. Once the tree is lit, you can visit the tree for free Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm, and Fri-Sat 10am-11pm.
Smaller trees each representing each U.S. state and territory, plus some federal departments, form a ring around the tree. Students from each state and territory decorate and draw ornaments for their trees. If you look at Calfornia's tree for example, you're bound to see some palm trees, a beach scene, or the Golden Gate Bridge. Take a look at a selection of ornaments students made here.
The 2024 National Christmas Tree is a 35-foot red spruce tree from George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia. To gain entry to the lighting ceremony, put your name in when the NPS releases its ticket lottery each fall. The ceremony typically airs on CBS close to Christmas.
Time Out tip: Grab a hot chocolate or warm drink from one of three great coffee shops nearby (Swing's Coffee, La Colombe, or Zeke's) and walk around the trees at night. If you collect each year's White House Christmas Ornament, know that there is a stand to buy it there, too.