3. National Christmas Tree Lighting
#3 Holiday Event
The 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting, held December 1 at the White House's Ellipse at President's Park, capped off a year of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, which co-produces the event with the National Park Foundation and Bounce AEG. Hallmark Channel and DirecTV 4K Ultra HD televised the event on December 5. Although the event, also known as the Pageant of Peace Ceremony, is free and open to the public, most of the 17,000 attendees gain access by entering an online lottery in October. Performers at this year's event included Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper, Marc Anthony, Yolanda Adams, and the Lumineers. Next: December 2017
Photo: T. Heilemann/U.S. Department of the Interior