National Christmas Tree Visiting and Activies

The Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2008.

Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony

The tree lighting ceremony begins each year’s National Christmas Tree Program. Nationally known entertainers and a military band add to the celebratory evening in which the President brings a message of peace to the nation and the world. The culmination of the evening is the illumination of the National Christmas Tree.

National Christmas Tree Program Activities

Seasonal displays include a Yule log and a large-scale model train. For the 13th consecutive year, the National Capital Trackers, a local model train club, will provide model trains that surround the base of the National Christmas Tree. The trains will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily through January 1st. In what becomes the "Pathway of Peace," the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees--one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia--serve as the event focal point. All 57 trees will be lit each evening at dusk until 11:00 p.m. and will be lit each night through January 1st. Sponsoring organizations in each state provide the tree decorations and each decoration is encased in a protective plastic globe to shield it from the weather.

National Christmas Tree Evening Music Program

Musical entertainment, featuring musical performances by volunteer choirs and dancers, will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage. Weeknight performances will be performed between 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekend performances will be performed between 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Above content is based on information from NPS