![Visitors use their cell phone cameras to capture the moment of the 2016 National Tree lighting. Experts warn consumers should rely only on cellular connections to prevent themselves from being hacked in large crowds. (AP Images)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16337000109284-1880x1206.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha waves and applaud after lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Also on stage is the host Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16336818306267-1528x1254.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, center, hugs Santa Claus, with James Taylor, right, during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16337008856517-947x1254.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-205-1567x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-173-1880x1251.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-18-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-288-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-310-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-409-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-535-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-639-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1714-1880x1251.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1695-1880x1251.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1546-1880x1251.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1372-836x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1311-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1125-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-942-1880x1254.jpg)
Courtesy Shannon Finney
![With the Washington Monument at right, Hargrove technicians install lights on the National Christmas Tree, a large evergreen tree in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House in this 2015 file photo. (AP File Photo/Carolyn Kaster)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nat_xmas_tree_2015_AP.jpg)
AP File Photo/Carolyn Kaster
![President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha light the 2016 National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Also on stage is the host Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116__tree_1.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, center, and their daughter Sasha, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_2.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_3.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, center, and their daughter Sasha, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_4.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, center, and first lady Michelle Obama, left, listen to Chancelor Bennett, "Chance the Rapper", right, from Chicago, perform at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_5.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![President Barack Obama, right, speaks, with Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha, and entertainer Eva Longoria during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_6.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![James Taylor sings during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_7.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![President Barack Obama speaks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_8.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![President Barack Obama, sings "Jingle Bells," with Santa Claus, James Taylor, Eva Longoria, and Garth Brooks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_9.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![Singer Marc Anthony performs during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_10.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![President Barack Obama speaks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_11.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![James Taylor, left, with his wife Caroline "Kim" Smedvig, Garth Brooks, and Tricia Yearwood perform during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_12.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![Singer Kelly Clarkson performs during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_13.jpg)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
![First lady Michelle Obama, left, and Olympic medal winner Simone Manuel, right, read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" to children on stage during the 2016 National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_14.jpg)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
![Visitors look at the National Christmas Tree with the Washington Monument in the background on the Ellipse near the White House, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16339024151962-1880x1254.jpg)
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
![Visitors use their cell phone cameras to capture the moment of the 2016 National Tree lighting. Experts warn consumers should rely only on cellular connections to prevent themselves from being hacked in large crowds. (AP Images)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16337000109284-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha waves and applaud after lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Also on stage is the host Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16336818306267-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, center, hugs Santa Claus, with James Taylor, right, during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16337008856517-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-205-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-173-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-18-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-288-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-310-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-409-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-535-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-639-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1714-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1695-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1546-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1372-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1311-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-1125-260x174.jpg)
![(Courtesy Shannon Finney, <a href="http://www.shannonfinneyphotography.com">www.shannonfinneyphotography.com</a>)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016XmasTreeDEC1-942-260x174.jpg)
![With the Washington Monument at right, Hargrove technicians install lights on the National Christmas Tree, a large evergreen tree in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House in this 2015 file photo. (AP File Photo/Carolyn Kaster)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nat_xmas_tree_2015_AP-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha light the 2016 National Christmas Tree during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Also on stage is the host Eva Longoria. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116__tree_1-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, center, and their daughter Sasha, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_2-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_3-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, sits with first lady Michelle Obama, center, and their daughter Sasha, right, to watch the musical performances at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_4-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, center, and first lady Michelle Obama, left, listen to Chancelor Bennett, "Chance the Rapper", right, from Chicago, perform at the lighting the 2016 National Christmas Tree ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_5-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, right, speaks, with Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha, and entertainer Eva Longoria during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_6-260x174.jpg)
![James Taylor sings during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_7-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama speaks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_8-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama, sings "Jingle Bells," with Santa Claus, James Taylor, Eva Longoria, and Garth Brooks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_9-260x174.jpg)
![Singer Marc Anthony performs during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_10-260x174.jpg)
![President Barack Obama speaks during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_11-260x174.jpg)
![James Taylor, left, with his wife Caroline "Kim" Smedvig, Garth Brooks, and Tricia Yearwood perform during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_12-260x174.jpg)
![Singer Kelly Clarkson performs during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_13-260x174.jpg)
![First lady Michelle Obama, left, and Olympic medal winner Simone Manuel, right, read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" to children on stage during the 2016 National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/120116_tree_14-260x174.jpg)
![Visitors look at the National Christmas Tree with the Washington Monument in the background on the Ellipse near the White House, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/AP_16339024151962-260x174.jpg)
WASHINGTON — See photos from the 2016 lighting of the national Christmas tree on the Ellipse.