All Lit Up: The Unexpected History
of the National Christmas Tree
Words by Kit Warchol
There’s nothing quite like a Washington DC holiday season — from historic monuments dusted with snow to the bustling holiday markets and decadent window displays. But the crown jewel of the season is undoubtedly the National Christmas Tree, a living piece of history and a must-visit for anyone in DC around the holidays.
Before you bundle up and head out to see this 100-year tradition, here’s a look at the unexpected history behind the tree that lights up the heart of the nation’s capital.
From Community Spark to National Glow
City-sponsored holiday gatherings in DC go back to 1913, more than a decade before the National Christmas Tree would appear on the scene. That year, the city organized a 45-minute public program that included caroling and celebrations under the stars. They expected a nice little crowd — what they got was much more than that.
According to a local paper, The Evening Star, roughly 20,000 people descended on the event after finishing up their Christmas shopping nearby. The crowd let out a collective gasp as DC flipped the lights on an electric sign above the Capitol Building. It read: Peace on Earth. Good Will to Men.
In the following years, DC continued to finesse its celebrations with much caroling, live music by various marching bands, and Girl and Boy Scouts involved in most of the ceremonies. And each year, the celebration grew as the entire city descended again and again to celebrate together. Still, it wasn’t until 1923, when the city decided to go all in on a formal tree lighting, that a national tradition was born.
From a stage surrounded by what felt like most of the DC’s residents, President Coolidge flipped the switch on a 48-foot balsam fir, which the National Park Service had transported from Vermont. 2,500 bright electric bulbs lit up the plaza, and the city never looked back.
Today, the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in President’s Park tops almost all “Holiday Things to Do in DC” lists, making it so popular that would-be attendees have to enter a lottery for admission (CBS will also broadcast the ceremony on December 20th, if you’d like to watch it from somewhere warm). The good news is, once lit, the tree is on display for the entire holiday season — and it’s a can’t miss for anyone who wants to see the city all lit up and sparkling.
What to Expect This Year
The most enormous tree you’ve ever seen.
But in all seriousness, while the city keeps each year’s tree under wraps until the big reveal, it’s going to be the best one the nation can find. Typically, the National Park Service is responsible for scouring forests across the U.S. to source the perfect tree — a task as monumental as it sounds. Once they find it, they transport it by road or water (or both) back to President’s Park, also home to the White House.
When event organizers hit the lights in early December, they will reveal a tree dressed with thousands of lights and ornaments made by artists and creators from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and DC itself — another nod to the community history of the event. Think of it like a gilded scrapbook of the nation, right in the middle of the city center.
The entire affair isn’t only about celebrating either. It also serves a greater purpose. Proceeds from the event support the National Park Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Park Service, which works to preserve over 85 million gorgeous acres of parkland for future generations.
Make It a Holiday Experience Like No Other
Of course, no festive outing is complete without an après-tree plan. If you’re after things to do in DC around the holidays, the neighborhoods surrounding President Park are full of places to eat, festive lights, and more.
After you’ve witnessed the lights and maybe taken an extended stroll around President Park, make your way to the LINE to warm up cold fingers and keep the holiday mood going. No Goodbyes, the LINE’s restaurant concept by Chef Phil Marzelli, will be open every day through the holidays. That includes No Goodbyes’ beloved prix fixe New Years’ Eve dinner (make a night of it with reservations here) and a VIP celebration on the LINE’s mezzanine.
Come warm up and wind down with a perfectly-poured night cap because when it comes to winter in DC, baby, it’s cold outside.
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