Washington's Top 100 Events 2013 - Holiday Events
1. White House Easter Egg Roll
#2 Holiday Event
More than 30,000 people attended the 135th edition of the event, which had the theme, "Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You." In addition to the traditional roll, activities included a basketball court with Washington Wizards players, a healthy-cooking demonstration from chef Anne Burrell, and story time with the first family. Next: April 21, 2014
2. A Capitol Fourth
#3 Holiday Event
The annual Independence Day concert from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol was hosted this year by Tom Bergeron of Dancing With the Stars. Performers on the PBS-aired concert included Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Darren Criss, and Megan Hilty. Next: July 4, 2014
3. National Christmas Tree Lighting
#4 Holiday Event
Kicking off the city's holiday season, the National Tree Lighting is a 91-year tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge. Now, the event has a larger reach with a live stream on thenationaltree.org, its own Twitter feed, and a broadcast of the ceremony on PBS. This year, Mariah Carey, Renée Fleming, and Aretha Franklin performed, and Jane Lynch hosted the event. Next: December 2014
4. National Memorial Day Concert
#5 Holiday Event
The annual tribute to members of the military who have died in service to the country features musical performances, documentary footage, and dramatic readings. The event, this year hosted by actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, aired on PBS. Next: May 26, 2014
![The dining room—which Friedland called the “hero” of the event—had two long dining tables, each with 80 seats. “Like a painter would create his canvas, I started thinking about the different elements [I wanted to] incorporate,” he said. “I approach events very much like a painting. It becomes a layered-type of growing experience.'](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/Dining_Room_2.5e4ad9bae23aa.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=525&w=630)
