This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken from the Ellipse by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2023, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert. For the 2023 holiday season, the South Portico of the White House was adorned with garlands and lights with a large wreath hung from the Truman Balcony. The 2023 tree lighting was the third presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The Bidens were joined in the festive celebration by host and country music star Mickey Guyton with performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Maddie & Tae, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh, Dionne Warwick, and the United States Coast Guard's Guardians Big Band.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken from the Ellipse by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2023, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert. For the 2023 holiday season, the South Portico of the White House was adorned with garlands and lights with a large wreath hung from the Truman Balcony. The 2023 tree lighting was the third presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The Bidens were joined in the festive celebration by host and country music star Mickey Guyton with performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Maddie & Tae, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh, Dionne Warwick, and the United States Coast Guard's Guardians Big Band.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken from the Ellipse by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2023, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert. For the 2023 holiday season, the South Portico of the White House was adorned with garlands and lights with a large wreath hung from the Truman Balcony. The 2023 tree lighting was the third presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The Bidens were joined in the festive celebration by host and country music star Mickey Guyton with performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Maddie & Tae, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh, Dionne Warwick, and the United States Coast Guard's Guardians Big Band.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken from the Ellipse by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2023, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert. For the 2023 holiday season, the South Portico of the White House was adorned with garlands and lights with a large wreath hung from the Truman Balcony. The 2023 tree lighting was the third presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. The Bidens were joined in the festive celebration by host and country music star Mickey Guyton with performances by Darren Criss, Samara Joy, Ledisi, Maddie & Tae, St. Vincent, Joe Walsh, Dionne Warwick, and the United States Coast Guard's Guardians Big Band.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Matthew D'Agostino from the Ellipse on November 30, 2022, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Three large wreaths adorned with a red bow and red and gold bulbs were hung from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

This photograph from the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on November 30, 2022. In this photograph, production crew members make preparations ahead of the concert and ceremony. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. They were joined in the festive celebration by host LL Cool J and performances by Shania Twain, Yolanda Adams, The Estefans, Andy Grammer, Ariana DeBose, Joss Stone, and the United States Marine Band.

This photograph from the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert was taken by Matthew D'Agostino for the White House Historical Association on November 30, 2022. In this photograph, production crew members make preparations ahead of the concert and ceremony. The 2022 tree lighting was the second presided over by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. They were joined in the festive celebration by host LL Cool J and performances by Shania Twain, Yolanda Adams, The Estefans, Andy Grammer, Ariana DeBose, Joss Stone, and the United States Marine Band.

This photograph by Karl Schumacher is of a sign on the truck that delivered the Blue Room Christmas Tree to the White House on December 6, 1974. Ed and Mardee Cole of Ed-Mar Tree Farm in Maryville, Michigan, who grew the tree, delivered the tree on the South Drive of the White House. The annual arrival of the tree signals the start of holiday festivities at the White House.

This photograph of Marine One on the South Lawn was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021. A trio of Christmas wreaths adorn the Truman Balcony on the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. Taken from the Ellipse, the photograph captures a motorcade on the South Drive. A trio of Christmas wreaths hang from the Truman Balcony, and the lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. Taken from the Ellipse, the photograph captures a motorcade on the South Drive. A trio of Christmas wreaths hang from the Truman Balcony, and the lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel from the Ellipse on December 2, 2021, during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center windows of the South Portico.

This photograph of guests viewing the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel in December 2021. The 28-foot tall, live white fir was donated by Darryl Bowersox of the Hill View Christmas Tree Farm, located in Middleburg, Pennsylvania. The lights for the tree were donated by General Electric, and featured cascading red and white sphere accent ornaments. The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is a cherished holiday tradition in Washington, D.C. When President Calvin Coolidge lit the first tree in 1923, the celebration attracted more than 6,000 spectators. The opening ceremony and nightly holiday concerts have annually drawn hundreds of attendees.

This photograph of the Pathway of Peace was taken by Thomas Goertel in December 2021. The small trees surrounding the National Christmas tree on the Ellipse were adorned with ornaments decorated by children from each U.S. state and territory. The tradition of installing smaller trees along the Ellipse in a "Pathway of Peace" to the National Christmas Tree began in 1954, and later expanded to include trees representing each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This was the first year the pathway also included trees decorated by students from the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education Schools.