Ovation and REELZ to Broadcast the 2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting
WASHINGTON — The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation announced today that Ovation and REELZ will broadcast the 2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 2 at 10 p.m. EDT.
Co-presented by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, this beloved American tradition features live musical performances and the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park (White House). The broadcast offers a wonderful opportunity for friends and families across the country to tune in and rejoice in this holiday tradition together.
“We’re thrilled that REELZ and our sister network Ovation are partnering with the National Park Foundation and National Park Service to celebrate the holiday season by broadcasting the National Christmas Tree Lighting,” said Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of REELZ. “It’s an honor to share one of the nation's oldest and most revered traditions with our viewers and we look forward to watching this cherished American pastime.”
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.
The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce from Virginia, which can be seen year-round in President’s Park. Fifty-six 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.
The free ticket lottery to attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 28 has closed, but this broadcast 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 throughout the month of December.
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 418 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
Celebrating 50 years, 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, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and ENGAGE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
ABOUT OVATION… AMERICA’S ONLY ARTS NETWORK
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.
ABOUT REELZ—REAL LIVES. REAL STORIES. REAL CELEBRITIES.®
REELZ is a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network that is home to factual entertainment, television events, miniseries, movies and series featuring big stories and big stars. Programming ranges from the critically acclaimed and award-winning miniseries The Kennedys to Autopsy: The Last Hours Of…, Scandal Made Me Famous, Behind Closed Doors, Geraldo Rivera's Murder In The Family and much more that connects directly to the world of entertainment. REELZ also provides specific on-air recommendations for movies viewers can watch at home. REELZ is available in 70 million homes on DIRECTV channel 238, DISH Network channel 299, Verizon FiOS TV channel 692HD, AT&T U-verse channels 799/1799HD and cable systems nationwide. Find REELZ in your area by visiting www.reelz.com.