96thNational Christmas Tree Lighting takes place in President’s Park Wednesday

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Washington DC. The 96th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place Wednesday afternoon on The Ellipse in President’s Park.

President Trump, alongside First Lady Melania, and other members of the First Family, helped mark the festive occasion. Antonio Sàbato hosted the ceremony. The special event is co-presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation.

Some of the performers included Abby Anderson, Matthew West, and The United States Army Band.

The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce from Virginia, which will be able to be seen year-round in President’s Park. Each year since 1923, the tree has been decorated as a Christmas tree.

The National Christmas Tree is surrounded by fifty-six smaller trees that feature one-of-a-kind ornaments, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.