The National Christmas Tree
The National Tree Lighting Ceremony began in 1923 when President Calvin Coolidge pushed a button to turn on the lights of a Vermont Balsam fir at a ceremony on the Ellipse hosted by the community department of Washington D.C.'s public schools.
The focus of the event expanded into the "Christmas Pageant of Peace" in 1954. Smaller live trees representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, formed a "Pathway of Peace."
Today, the annual ceremony is known as the "Pageant of Peace" and takes place south of the White House on the Ellipse. Center to the season's celebration is the living National Christmas Tree, a Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse October 20, 1978. The tree stands as a daily reminder of the holiday spirit and of the tradition each succeeding President has participated in since 1923.
The Mormon Temple Light Display
The Washington, DC Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, also known as the Mormon Temple, is open to all during the Christmas season. This impressive church and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with more than 450,000 sparkling Christmas lights. Each night, a different local musical group performs a live concert in a state-of-the-art theater. All events are free! Visitors are welcome to explore the Washington, DC Mormon Temple grounds and the Visitors’ Center and see a live outdoor nativity scene, an indoor exhibit of international nativity scenes and a selection of Christmas films.
All times are approximate.
Click here for our Departure Locations
Departing from Frederick MD at 4:30.
We will depart from Skate Frederick Parking lot on Riverbend Way rear of Wal-Mart Rte 26 Frederick.
Departing from Hagerstown MD at 3:45pm.
We will depart from MTA ParknRide Col. Douglas Dr off of Rt 65 Sharpsburg Pike across from the Sleep Inn between Wendy's and the MVA.
Dinner will be on your own at Pentagon City Mall.
Returning to Frederick at 11:00pm
Returning to Hagerstown at 11:45pm.
