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 of the South Portico of the White House was taken by Matthew D’Agostino before the 2022 turkey pardon on November 21, 2022. During the ceremony, President Joseph R. Biden formally “pardoned” the official National Thanksgiving Turkey, Chocolate, and the alternate, Chip. Chocolate and Chip were raised by National Turkey Federation (NTF) chairman Ronnie Parker at Circle S Ranch near Monroe, North Carolina. After the ceremony, the turkeys were transferred to the Talley Turkey Education Unit at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Presidents and their families have received turkeys for the holidays since the 1870s. The origin of the turkey pardon, however, dates to 1863—when President Abraham Lincoln offered clemency to a turkey purchased for Christmas dinner at his son's request. The pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey became a formalized tradition during the George H. W. Bush administration.

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 a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021, from among the small trees in the Pathway of Peace on the Ellipse. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center window of the South Portico.

This photograph of a south view of the White House was taken by Thomas Goertel on December 4, 2021, from among the small trees in the Pathway of Peace on the Ellipse. Holiday lights are entwined in a trio of of Christmas wreaths that hang from the Truman Balcony. The lights of the Blue Room Christmas Tree can also be seen through the center window of the South Portico.

This elevation drawing was created by Benjamin Henry Latrobe in 1807. The architectural drawing shows an east view of the White House, with guests entering and departing the house from the proposed North and South Porticos. The North and South Porticos were not part of James Hoban's original 1792 design for the White House. Although this drawing anticipates the prominent use of columns on the North Portico (completed ca. 1829-1820) and South Portico (completed 1824), it does not reflect the appearance of the North and South Porticos as they were constructed.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken in July 1975 by Joseph H. Bailey during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The South Portico and South Lawn are visible.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken in July 1975 by Joseph H. Bailey during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. The South Portico and South Lawn are visible.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken in July 1975 by Joseph H. Bailey during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. Bailey captured South Portico from the viewpoint of the South Lawn.

This photograph of the south view of the White House was taken in July 1975 by Joseph H. Bailey during the administration of Gerald R. Ford. Bailey captured South Portico from the viewpoint of the South Lawn.