National Christmas Tree

✓ Verified 2025-2026

Where: President's Park, The Ellipse, Washington, District of Columbia

When: Throughout the holiday season

Hours: typically dusk – 10 PM

Cost: free

national tree56 state and territory treeshandmade ornamentsnightly musical performancesattraction

The centerpiece conifer on the White House Ellipse is ringed by smaller trees representing all 56 U.S. states and territories, each hung with handmade ornaments. Musical performances take place nightly during the season.

Best time to arrive. Sunset in Washington is around 4:47 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:17 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 28°F, so dress for standing around outside.

Get directions →

Other displays nearby

There are 11 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 29 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.

CityCenterDC Holiday Tree — 0.1 mi · Washington
District Holiday Boat Parade — 0.1 mi · Washington
Frosted at Franklin Park — 0.1 mi · Washington
National Menorah Lighting — 0.1 mi · Washington
Season's Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden — 0.1 mi · Washington
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree — 0.1 mi · Washington
ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo — 0.1 mi · Washington
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park — 2.1 mi · Washington

Make a night of it. This is stop 1 on our 10-stop Washington lights loop — about 3.4 miles and 48 minutes of driving in total.

Corroborated by 1 independent source: washington.org. See how we verify listings.

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