President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family will join the National Park Foundation to officially light the National Christmas Tree on Friday, December 6 at the 91st annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in President’s Park, one of America’s more than 400 national parks.
The ceremony will be streamed online LIVE at www.thenationaltree.org beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET with the exclusive National Christmas Tree Lighting pre-show.
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, this year’s National Christmas Tree Lighting features a talented line-up of performers including: The Avett Brothers, Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, multiple Grammy award-winning superstar Mariah Carey, acclaimed soprano and musical ambassador Renee Fleming, multicultural operatic trio Forte, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, singer/songwriter Janelle Monae, Latin music superstar Prince Royce, jazz legend Arturo Sandoval, the multiplatinum, Grammy-winning band Train, and Nolan Williams, Jr. and Voices of Inspiration.
This year, folk Americana duo Aberdeen Green, singer/songwriter Del Travar, and The U.S. Army Blues will perform in the pre-show co-hosted by 94.7 FRESH FM’s Tommy McFLY and ABC7/WJLA-TV’s Jummy Olabanji. The event can also be seen on public television throughout December. Broadcast times can be found by checking local listings or visiting www.thenationaltree.org.
Presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, and produced by Bounce AEG, the National Christmas Tree Lighting is the first event in a four-week holiday celebration in President’s Park. This year’s ceremony marks the 91st annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, an American holiday tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923.
For the sixth consecutive year, UL is the premier sponsor of the National Christmas Tree Lighting. As an independent safety science company, UL’s mission is to promote safe working and living environments for all people. More information can be found at www.UL.com. Other event supporters include GE Lighting, Amtrak, Guest Services Inc., Hargrove, Hilton Garden Inn – Washington DC Downtown, Hudler Carolina Tree Farms, Loews Madison Hotel Washington D.C., Mesh Int’l, Nicolas Holiday, Uber, United and Willard InterContinental Washington D.C.
More information about the 2013 National Christmas Tree Lighting can be found at www.thenationaltree.org and on Twitter. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #NCTL2013.
