National Christmas Tree, Annual decorated tree on The Ellipse in Washington, D.C., United States
The National Christmas Tree is a Norway spruce roughly 40 feet (12 meters) tall standing on the Ellipse south of the White House, decorated with thousands of lights and traditional ornaments. The tree anchors a larger display with illuminated pathways that visitors walk through during December.
The tradition began in 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge lit a 48-foot (15-meter) Balsam Fir with 2,500 electric bulbs on Christmas Eve. The ceremony grew into a fixed national custom, with annually replaced trees since the 1970s.
The Pathway of Peace encircling the display shows smaller trees decorated with handmade ornaments from all 56 states and territories. Schoolchildren craft these decorations, allowing every corner of the nation to contribute to the shared celebration.
The illuminated display is open from sunset until 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11 pm Friday and Saturday without entry fees. Warm clothing is recommended since the entire visit takes place outdoors and December evenings can be quite cold.
The 2023 tree marked the first collaboration between the National Park Service and the Forest Service, a Norway spruce from Monongahela National Forest. This changed the silhouette as well, since this spruce grows narrower than the previously used blue spruces.
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