National Christmas Tree lighting to be recorded for online streaming

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Susan Walsh/AP)

You are invited to watch the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. However, you are not allowed to attend in person nor the actual day that it’s happening.

Due to COVID-19-related public health concerns, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation will not host a live audience at the 2020 National Christmas Tree Lighting this year.

The program is being recorded on Monday, Nov. 30. The site on the Ellipse will be closed to the public during the recording.

The National Park Foundation says the show — featuring the lighting ceremony and holiday performances — will be available to stream on-demand throughout the holiday season.

No performers have been announced for this year’s ceremony.

The National Christmas Tree is a 30-foot Colorado Blue Spruce from Palmyra, Pennsylvania.

It will be lit every evening throughout December.

Visitors are invited to President’s Park to view the National Christmas Tree and 56 trees representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia, decorated with ornaments designed by students from across the country.

The ceremony will begin streaming online starting on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Sandy Kozel

Sandy Kozel is an anchor at WTOP. She came to WTOP after a long career as an anchor/correspondent with the Associated Press. She also worked in local radio in the Cleveland area — and in Buffalo, where she was an award-winning anchor and reporter with WGR Radio and entertainment reporter at WGRZ-TV.

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