Wednesday marked one of the most celebrated holiday traditions of the year -- the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse in President’s Park near the White House.
Rapper LL Cool J hosted the ceremonies for the second year in a row, which happens to be the 100th year of the event.
With President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden hosting the event, the ceremony also featured performances from Shania Twain, Andy Grammer, Gloria Estefan, Joss Stone, and "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.
President Calvin Coolidge celebrated the first National Christmas Tree Lighting in 1923. This beloved American tradition features musical performances and the official ringing in of the holiday season.
The event is presented each year by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation.
In conjunction with this event, there were parking restrictions and street closures:
The following streets were posted as "Emergency No Parking" from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
- 17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street, NW
- 15th Street between F Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
The following streets were closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
- 17th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW
- C Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- D Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- E Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- F Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- G Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- New York Avenue between 17th Street and 18th Street, NW
- Constitution Avenue between 18th Street and 14th Street, NW
- 15th Street between F Street and Independence Avenue, SW
- Pennsylvania Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street, NW