#1 Holiday Event (up from #2)
The springtime rite marked its 137th edition this year, with children gathering on the White House’s South Lawn to roll Easter eggs with President Obama and his family. The event had a theme of #GimmeFive to commemorate the fifth anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative and offered sports and fitness zones, culinary demonstrations, and other activities for the 35,000 guests. A new feature was a partnership with the app Snapchat that gave users access to custom filters for the event. Next: March 28, 2016
#2 Holiday Event (up from #3)
The Fourth of July concert and fireworks display, which takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, celebrated its 35th year in 2015. Performers on the PBS special included actor Bradley Whitford, singer Barry Manilow, the band Alabama, and Nicole Scherzinger, who sang the national anthem. The National Symphony Orchestra and Choral Arts Society of Washington also performed. Next: July 4, 2016
#3 Holiday Event (up from #4)
The 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting this year will kick off the capital’s holiday season. The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation organize the event, which is held on the Ellipse at President’s Park at the White House. PBS broadcasts the event, which last year featured Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Patti LaBelle, Ne-Yo, and others. Next: December 3, 2015
#4 Holiday Event (up from #5)
The concert, broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, honors active members of the military, veterans, and their families. This year’s event featured a number of speakers and performers including General Colin Powell, Gloria Estefan, Laurence Fishburne, Esai Morales, and Laura Benanti. Next: May 29, 2016
#5 Holiday Event (new to the list)
Bruno Mars headlined the Fourth of July concert for troops and military families that the White House hosted on its South Lawn. It was the seventh such concert, which in the past has featured Pitbull, the Killers, Brad Paisley, Jimmy Fallon, and Cedric the Entertainer. Next: July 4, 2016
