This photograph of singer and actor Billy Porter performing the holiday classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. Porter was accompanied by the United States Army Band Downrange. The 2021 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and also featured performances by Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris, and Patti LaBelle. 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 pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin, and featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin, and featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin, and featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of the crowd gathered on the Ellipse for the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The event was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and featured performances by Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris, and Patti LaBelle. 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 members of the United States Army Band Downrange rehearsing prior to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The White House is appears prominently in the background of this photograph. A trio of Christmas wreaths hang from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico, while Marine One, the presidential helicopter, waits on the South Lawn.

This photograph of the crowd gathered on the Ellipse for the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The event was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and featured performances by Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris, and Patti LaBelle. 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 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The event was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and featured performances by Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris, and Patti LaBelle. 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 American singer and actress Patti LaBelle performing at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. LaBelle performed a soulful rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," accompanied by the Howard Gospel Choir and the United States Army Band Downrange. The event was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and also featured performances of holiday classics by Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, and Maren Morris. 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 American singer and actress Patti LaBelle performing at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. LaBelle performed a soulful rendition of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," accompanied by the Howard Gospel Choir and the United States Army Band Downrange. The event was hosted by rapper and actor LL Cool J and also featured performances of holiday classics by Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, and Maren Morris. 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 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 members of the United States Army Band Downrange rehearsing prior to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The White House is appears prominently in the background of this photograph. A trio of Christmas wreaths hang from the Truman Balcony on the South Portico.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin co-hosting the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of members of the Howard Gospel Choir performing at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

This photograph of WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin co-hosting the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

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 the Pathway of Peace was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 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 included trees decorated by students from the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education Schools.

This photograph of an American sign language interpreter at the pre-show to the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 2, 2021. The pre-show was co-hosted by WUSA9 News morning anchor Annie Yu and meteorologist Chester Lampkin and featured performances by the Howard Gospel Choir. Based out of Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., the Howard Gospel Choir later accompanied Patti LaBelle and Billy Porter at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.