This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

This photograph of decorations lining the Grand Staircase and Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House decor. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale. Also in the Cross Hall was the menorah from the White House Collection. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 27, 2023 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. On display in the Cross Hall, near the Grand Staircase, was the menorah from the White House Collection, seen here. The menorah was crafted by the skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Harry S. Truman renovation in the 1950s. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" as the 2023 holiday theme. The decor was inspired by children and how they embrace and revel in the holiday season. The 200th anniversary of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas influenced the decorations in the Cross Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall. Throughout the space, including in the niches along the Cross Hall’s south wall and a soaring Santa Claus and sleigh above the Entrance Hall, were scenes from the famous holiday tale.

In this photograph by Michael Geissinger, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his eldest daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson, descend the Grand Staircase of the White House on the afternoon of her wedding on December 9, 1967. The Grand Staircase connects the first family's private residence on the Second Floor down to the Entrance Hall, seen here, on the State Floor. Lynda's wedding to Marine Corps Capt. Charles S. Robb took place in the East Room of the White House. The President’s cutaway suit jacket and striped trousers stand in stark contrast to Lynda’s white silk satin-paneled gown and her 15-yard-long tulle veil seen trailing behind them.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase draped in garland and gold bows was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. The Decor was inspired by Americans' shared values and sentiments of hope, unity, and community.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase draped in garland and gold bows was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. The Decor was inspired by Americans' shared values and sentiments of hope, unity, and community.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph taken by Karl Schumacher shows the view of the Grand Staircase from the Entrance Hall decorated for Christmas on December 13, 1974. The Grand Staircase was trimmed with garlands and bows. The light standards flanking the doorway are decorated with a garland and topped with foil angels and candles. First Lady Betty Ford selected handmade crafts as the theme for the holiday decor. The theme promoted Americana and provided inspiration for thrifty decorations, as many households limited their holiday budgets due to a poor economy.

This photograph of the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden selected "We the People" as the 2022 holiday theme. Decor was inspired by hope, unity, and community. Decorations in the Cross Hall evoked reflection and symbolized Americans' shared values. A menorah crafted by the White House carpenters was on display in the Cross Hall. The menorah was a new addition to the White House Collection and was made with wood recovered from the Truman Renovation in the 1950s.

This photograph of the holiday decorations in the Cross Hall was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their second year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "We the People." The theme was inspired by the shared values of the American people and the promise of unity, hope, and possibility that represents America’s history. On display in the Cross Hall was a new menorah from the White House Collection, seen here, crafted by skilled White House carpenters using wood recovered during the Truman renovation in the 1950s.

In this photograph taken by Robert L. Knudsen on June 12, 1971, newlywed Tricia Nixon Cox throws her bouquet to guests from the Grand Staircase to the Entrance Hall of the White House below. Standing next to her is her husband Edward Cox. This was the 16th documented wedding to take place at the White House, with their outdoor ceremony the first to be held in the Rose Garden. Nixon was the daughter of President Richard M. Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon. Approximately 400 guests watched the nuptials in the Rose Garden. The reception took place in the East Room of the White House.

This photograph of Tricia Nixon and her fiance Edward Cox walking into the Entrance Hall from the Grand Staircase was taken by Jack E. Kightlinger on March 16, 1971. Next to them are members of the honor guard. The couples' engagement was announced that evening at the Irish Evening in honor of Taoiseach of Ireland John Lynch and First Lady Pat Nixon's 59th Birthday.

This photograph is of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, descending the Grand Staircase before delivering remarks at a Hanukkah reception in the Entrance Hall of the White House. Pete Souza photographed this moment on December 8, 2011.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Multiple wreaths hang from the railings. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance

In this photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Welch Bush stand with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Grand Staircase in the Entrance Hall of the White House. President and Mrs. Bush welcomed Queen Elizabeth and her husband to the White House for a State dinner held in her honor on May 7, 2007. The State Dinner took place in the State Dining Room and the evening also included a performance by violinist Itzhak Perlman in the East Room.

This photograph taken by Yoichi R. Okamoto on December 9, 1967 is of President Lyndon B. Johnson escorting bride and daughter Lynda Bird Johnson down the Grand Staircase for her wedding ceremony. The first daughter exchanged vows with Capt. Charles S. Robb of the United States Marine Corps in the East Room of the White House. The White House Christmas decorations doubled as décor for the December wedding, including a garland on the Grand Staircase of natural greenery entwined with red and silver ornaments, seen here.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 in the Cross Hall during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Between the official portraits of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson, a festive wreath hangs on the staircase railing. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance.

This photograph was taken by Shealah Craighead on December 15, 2001, during a menorah lighting ceremony in the Entrance Hall near the Grand Staircase. Although previous administrations had observed Hanukkah, and menorah lighting ceremonies had been held in the Oval Office during the Bill Clinton administration, the first menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Executive Residence during the George W. Bush administration in 2001. Here, President George W. Bush delivers remarks. The menorah used for the ceremony was presented to President Harry S. Truman in 1951 by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion of Israel. The grandsons of both world leaders, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer, lit the menorah together at the ceremony.

This photograph, taken by Robert L. Knudsen, shows President John F. Kennedy and his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, near the foot of the Grand Staircase with King Ẓāhir Shāh of Afghanistan and his wife, Humaira Begum, during a State Dinner held in his honor on September 5, 1963. Originally planned for the Rose Garden, the dinner took place in the State Dining Room due to the possibility of inclement weather.

In this photograph, taken on October 4, 1989, First Lady Barbara Bush speaks with Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II at the landing of the Grand Staircase as guests watch from the Entrance Hall during the National Children's Tour at the White House. The Bush family's springer spaniel, Millie, stands on the staircase. During the tour, Mrs. Bush was presented with gifts from nonprofit organizations including the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics were founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. Shriver was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and the aunt of Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II.

In this photograph, taken on October 4, 1989, First Lady Barbara Bush receives a "Special Olympics" t-shirt from a young visitor during the National Children's Tour at the White House. Joining Mrs. Bush is Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-Massachusetts), nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics. Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in honor of her mentally handicapped sister, Rosemary Kennedy. Also pictured in this photograph seated on the landing of the Grand Staircase is the Bush family's springer spaniel, Millie.

This close-up photograph of holiday decorations on display in the Entrance Hall near the Grand Staircase was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The Cross Hall and Entrance Hall were decorated with Christmas trees adorned in red and gold, under which wrapped packages represented gifts of the holiday season including love, joy, peace, hope, and faith. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of the Entrance Hall and Grand Staircase decorated for the holiday season was taken on December 14, 1970, during the Richard M. Nixon administration. For her second Christmas as first lady, Pat Nixon adorned the Executive Mansion once again with wreaths, garlands, and red bows. Other returning decorations included 12 roughly eight-foot-tall pedestal scones topped with red candles, and velvet-and-satin state flower ornaments on the official White House Christmas Tree. Eastman Johnson's official 1891 portrait of President Grover Cleveland can be seen hanging under a wreath on the right side of this photograph.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on December 2, 2019 during a press preview of the White House holiday decor. The staircase was decorated with an illuminated garland wrapped along the railing. The portrait of Harry S. Truman is on display above the staircase. The holiday theme for 2019 was “The Spirit of America”, which recognized the United States' rich history and traditions. Designed by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations paid tribute to the individuals who have shaped the country and kept the American spirit alive, drawing inspiration from the hard working people and families Mrs. Trump met on her travels as first lady.

This photograph of the Grand Staircase was taken in January 1972 by Nelson Brown, Victor Boswell, and Robert S. Oakes during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. The Grand Staircase connects the Second Floor and family quarters of the White House with the State Floor and Entrance Hall below. During official occasions such as State Dinners, the president descends the staircase with honored guests while the United States Marine Band plays "Hail to the Chief." There have been five Grand Staircases since the White House was built, including two located in this alcove. The first was built during the 1902 Theodore Roosevelt renovations. The second, seen here, during the Harry S. Truman renovations of 1948-1952. Truman took particular interest to redesign the staircase into the two long, descending sets of stairs.