Volunteers decorate Christmas trees in front of the White House for the 2022 National Christmas Tree Lighting. NPS/ Kelsey Graczyk
Celebrate the holidays with a nightly lighting of the National Christmas Tree and take a stroll to see the America Celebrates display on the Ellipse at The White House and President’s Park. The National Christmas Tree and surrounding state and territory trees are open to visitors through Jan. 1, 2024. Visiting is free and no tickets are required.
The National Christmas Tree display is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Jan. 1, 2024. The trees are lit daily around sunset.
The America Celebrates display features 58 small trees decorated with one-of-a-kind ornaments made by students. The trees represent states, territories, and Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools. From state flowers to landmarks, American students have designed one-of-a-kind ornaments to celebrate the places they call home.
The America Celebrates ornament program is a collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Park Foundation (NPF), which funds the program. More than 300 NPS volunteers help decorate the small trees.
First lit in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge, the National Christmas Tree continues to inspire people to enjoy cherished traditions and memories made with family and friends in national parks during the holiday season. Learn more about the history of the National Christmas Tree Lighting.
58 schools designed ornaments for the America Celebrates display:
Location |
School Name |
Alabama |
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies |
Alaska |
IDEA Homeschool |
American Samoa |
Lupelele Elementary School |
Arizona |
Nogales High School |
Arkansas |
Little Rock West High School of Innovation |
California |
Nueva Vista Language Academy |
Colorado |
Merino Schools |
Connecticut |
Andover Elementary School |
Delaware |
Laurel Middle School |
District of Columbia |
Eastern High School |
Florida |
Tohopekaliga High School |
Georgia |
Heritage High School (Rockdale County Public School) |
Guam |
Academy of Our Lady of Guam |
Hawaii |
James Campbell High School |
Idaho |
Idaho Arts Charter School |
Illinois |
Betty Shabazz International Charter School |
Indiana |
Brown County High School |
Iowa |
Eagle Grove Elementary |
Kansas |
Leawood Middle School |
Kentucky |
Dishman-McGinnis Elementary School |
Louisiana |
Harry Hurst Middle School |
Maine |
Bangor High School |
Maryland |
Manchester Valley High School |
Massachusetts |
All Saints Academy |
Michigan |
Hanover-Horton Elementary School |
Minnesota |
Clover Ridge Elementary School |
Mississippi |
Ida B. Wells Academic & Performing Arts Complex |
Missouri |
Nixa Public School |
Montana |
Arlee High School |
Nebraska |
Bennington South Middle School |
Nevada |
Garside Junior High School |
New Hampshire |
Arts Academy of New Hampshire |
New Jersey |
Delaware Township School |
New Mexico |
New Mexico School for the Arts |
New York |
Marlboro High School |
North Carolina |
Greene Central High School |
North Dakota |
Kindred Public School District |
Norther Mariana Islands |
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System |
Ohio |
Shawnee Local Schools |
Oklahoma |
Jenks Middle School |
Oregon |
Oregon School for the Deaf |
Pennsylvania |
Kutztown Area High School |
Puerto Rico |
Escuela Dr. Francisco Hernández y Gaetán |
Rhode Island |
Mary E. Fogarty Elementary |
South Carolina |
Saluda High School |
South Dakota |
Tri-Valley High School |
Tennessee |
West Middle School |
Texas |
Caldwell High School |
Utah |
Union High School |
Vermont |
Colchester High School |
Virgin Islands |
St. Croix Educational Complex High School |
Virginia |
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School |
Washington |
Tukes Valley Middle School |
West Virginia |
Robert L. Bland Middle School |
Wisconsin |
Highland Community Schools |
Wyoming |
Beitel Elementary School |
Bureau of Indian Education |
Pine Springs Day School (Arizona) |
Department of Defense Education Activity |
Brussels Elementary/High School (Belgium) |