Overview
- The lighting took place Thursday evening on the Ellipse, south of the White House in Washington, D.C.
- President Donald Trump counted down and invited the first lady to press the button that illuminated the tree.
- This year’s National Christmas Tree is a 35-foot red spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, according to the National Park Service.
- The program was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, with performers reported to include The Beach Boys and Alana Springsteen.
- The White House promoted its holiday programming with a seasonal post on its official Instagram account.