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President's Park (White House)
National Christmas Tree Program
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NPS Photo by Donna Spiewak | President George W. Bush lights the National Christmas Tree on Thursday, December 6th located on the Ellipse, south of the White House. |
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The Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2008. Please return at a later date for additional information.
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- Click here to view the 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia trees.
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The annual National Christmas Tree Program takes place each year from early December through January 1, on the Ellipse south of the White House grounds.
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Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony
The tree lighting ceremony begins each year’s National Christmas Tree Program. Nationally known entertainers and a military band add to the celebratory evening in which the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world. The culmination of the evening is the illumination of the National Christmas Tree.
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National Christmas Tree Program Activities
Seasonal displays include a Yule log and a large-scale model train. For the 13th consecutive year, the National Capital Trackers, a local model train club, will provide model trains that surround the base of the National Christmas Tree. The trains will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily through January 1st.
In what becomes the "Pathway of Peace," the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees--one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia--serve as the event focal point. All 57 trees will be lit each evening at dusk until 11:00 p.m. and will be lit each night through January 1st. Sponsoring organizations in each state provide the tree decorations and each decoration is encased in a protective plastic globe to shield it from the weather.
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National Christmas Tree Evening Music Program
Musical entertainment, featuring musical performances by volunteer choirs and dancers, will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage. Weeknight performances will be performed between 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekend performances will be performed between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The National Park Service will be accepting applications for the 2008 evening music program from Monday, September 1 until Friday, September 19. Click here to apply
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![2007 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony 2007 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920003942im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/WHHO_2007nctceremony_65.jpg) Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony Click here for Slideshow more... | | ![2005 National Christmas Tree (NPS Photo by Terry Adams) 2005 National Christmas Tree (NPS Photo by Terry Adams)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920003942im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/WHHO_NCT_History_65.jpg) National Christmas Tree Learn about the hisitory of the National Christmas Trees more... | | ![National Christmas Tree Music Program National Christmas Tree Music Program](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920003942im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/WHHO_Buttons_and_Bellows_65.jpg) National Christmas Tree Music Program Main Page more... | | ![Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920003942im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/WHHO_glb_logo_651.gif) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Click here for subway and bus routes more... | |
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![Richard Nixon – 37th President: 1969-1974 Richard Nixon – 37th President: 1969-1974](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920003942im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/WHHO_37_nixon.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
On July 21, 1969, at approximately 11:49 p.m., President Nixon talked to Apollo II astronauts, Neil A. Armstrong and Col. Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr., on the moon from the Oval Office at the White House by radio-telephone.
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Last Updated: August 26, 2008 at 08:03 EST |