2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrates the Season with a New Tree and Timeless Holiday Tunes
WASHINGTON—A lovely melding of music, national parks, outdoor performance, and holiday cheer, the 97th National Christmas Tree Lighting will feature not only the official lighting of the new National Christmas Tree, but also timeless holiday tunes that people of all ages will enjoy. Presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, this beloved American tradition takes place on the Ellipse in President’s Park (White House) on Dec. 5.
This year, country music star Jessie James Decker will host and perform at the national park-inspired holiday event. Additional performers will include country singer and winner of The Voice Chevel Shepherd, pop artist and American Idol finalist Colton Dixon, The United States Air Force’s premier rock band Max Impact, country music artist and The Voice finalist Spensha Baker, the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, the West Tennessee Youth Chorus, and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.
Thanks to a partnership with the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, Ovation and REELZ will broadcast the 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, Dec. 9. Viewers can tune in to watch the broadcast at 8 p.m. ET on REELZ and 9 p.m. ET on Ovation. The broadcast offers a wonderful opportunity for friends and families across the country to rejoice in this holiday tradition together.
First celebrated in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge, the ceremony today inspires visitors and viewers from around the globe to #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque during the holiday season.
Last month, the National Park Service planted a new National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The new tree is a 30-foot Colorado blue spruce from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and will be lit for the first time during this year’s ceremony. Thanks to a partnership with the National Park Foundation, GE Lighting is celebrating its 57th year of decorating the National Christmas Tree. In addition, 56 smaller trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree will feature one-of-a-kind ornaments, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.
While the free ticket lottery to attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5 has closed, the broadcast on Ovation and REELZ provides a great opportunity to enjoy the celebration from your home. You’re also invited to visit the decorated National Christmas Tree and enjoy evening musical performances at President’s Park from Dec. 9, 2019 through Jan. 1, 2020.
To learn more, visit www.thenationaltree.org and follow along with the National Christmas Tree on Twitter @thenationaltree.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The National Park Service has cared for the White House and its grounds since 1933. President’s Park, which includes the Ellipse and Lafayette Park, was officially included in the national park system in 1961. Visit us at: www.nps.gov, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter: www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube: www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
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Art has the power to inspire us, elevate our thinking, and awaken our senses. As an independent television, production and digital media company, OVATION has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically-acclaimed premium dramas, arts-related specials and documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION salutes innovative storytelling, lives for the art in entertainment, finds beauty in the everyday, and applauds art in unexpected places. OVATION is available to nearly 50M subscribers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Xfinity from Comcast, AT&T/DirecTV, Spectrum TV from Charter, Verizon FiOS, as well as on VOD. Through THE OVATION FOUNDATION, the company is committed to advocating for the arts, nationally and locally, and has provided more than $15M in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education. You can follow OVATION on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.
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