Washington D.C. Celebrates Christmas with National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Updated Dec 01, 2016
Today in the nation’s capital, thousands of people will be present for the ninety-fourth annual Christian tree-lighting ceremony.
According to CBN News, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the White House.
In addition to the crowds of people who are already gathering for the event, the ceremony will boast performances by stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Yolanda Adams.
The tree-lighting ceremony at the White House is not the only Christmas event in Washington D.C. today, however.
At D.C.’s Union Station, a Christmas tree was lit as part of the annual Norwegian Christmas ceremony. Carolers sang Christmas songs in both English and Norwegian. Santa Claus was also present for the event and children took turns sitting on his lap.
The tree at Union Station is 32-feet tall and was decorated with 20,000 lights. This marked the twentieth annual Norwegian Christmas celebration in D.C. The event started after World War II when Norway gave the U.S. a Norwegian Christmas tree to thank the U.S. for their help in the war.
President Calvin Coolidge initiated the first National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in 1923.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: December 1, 2016
