2015 National Christmas Tree

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Elegant, sparkling gold and silvery white colors highlight this year’s National Christmas Tree.

In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, the design for the 2015 National Christmas Tree features sparkling gold and silvery white, colors that are traditionally used for milestone celebrations.

This is the seventh consecutive year that LED lights have been used exclusively to light the National Christmas Tree and the 53rd year that GE has provided the lighting.

Warm white micro-net lights provide the baseline layer of light, topped with twinkling icicle lights that provide texture and subtle animation. To create vertical garland bands down the tree, gold net lights are encased with dramatic gold mesh ribbons that enhance the nighttime and daytime appearance. Illuminated pure white star ornaments are arranged along the gold ribbon, providing a pleasing silver color contrast. The stars pay tribute to the National Park Service Centennial – 100 years of enjoying national parks, the “shining stars” across our nation. The heirloom star-shaped topper, with commercial Tetra®Max LED signage product, once again adorns the top of the tree.

The combined wattage of the approximately 600 LED net lights and icicle lights, and the LED star ornaments – all Energy Star® qualified – is about 6,000 watts. The total cost to light this tree over the holiday season, from dusk to about 10p.m., is approximately $150. That is about one-fifth of what a comparable design would be with incandescent lights. In terms of environmental impact, using LEDs saves nearly 7,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and would avoid burning more than one ton of coal.

“GE is proud to be part of this very special holiday tradition. Light inspires us. Light helps us to celebrate. And with LED technology, we can be more creative, more energy efficient and environmentally responsible than ever before,” said Mary Beth Gotti, manager of the GE Lighting Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.

Holiday in President’s Park

During your visit to the National Christmas Tree and Santa’s Workshop at President’s Park, be sure to check out additional attractions including nightly musical performances.

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While there, visitors are encouraged to also see the National Christmas Tree Railroad. An elaborate electric train display which circles the base of the National Christmas Tree, the National Christmas Tree Railroad has provided special delight for children and adults since 1994.

The trains have expanded each year and now include multiple tracks, trains, bridges and buildings. The trains are installed and maintained each December by volunteers. To each visitor and volunteer we extend our special thanks.

Watch the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony

National Christmas Tree Music Program

holiday-singersThe National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the beginning of three weeks of celebration in holiday music in the nation’s capital. Musical groups from Washington D.C. and across the country provide holiday entertainment to the countless visitors for a one of a kind holiday experience set against the backdrop of the National Christmas Tree.

The 2016 National Christmas Tree Music Program schedule is coming soon!

View the 2015 National Christmas Tree Music Program schedule.

Explore Santa’s Workshop

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Old Saint Nick and his elves have brought Santa’s Workshop to the Ellipse and you can visit him this December.