National Christmas Tree lights up the National Mall

The National Christmas Tree lit up the Ellipse Wednesday night, as President Joe Biden continued the century-old tradition of lighting the tree near the White House.

Biden was joined by first lady Jill Biden and host LL Cool J. This year’s tree is 27 feet wide and was just planted last year.

This year’s ceremony included performances by the U.S. Marine Band, Ariana DeBose, Shania Twain, the Estefans and others.

The tradition began in 1923 during President Calvin Coolidge’s administration, and is one of the ways the nation’s capital rings in the holiday season.

Read more from the tree lighting ceremony from The Associated Press here.

You can watch the lighting ceremony here. CBS will air a special full broadcast of the National Christmas Tree Lighting at 8 p.m. on Dec. 11.

See photos from the ceremony below.

1/15

LL Cool J helps President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

2/15

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and LL Cool J react after lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

3/15

Singer Yolanda Adams performs after President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, lit the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

4/15

First lady Jill Biden, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the lighting of National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

5/15

US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting on The Ellipse south of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2022. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

6/15

President Joe Biden speaks as first lady Jill Biden listens during the ceremony to light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

7/15

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden participate in the National Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

8/15

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: Ornaments and lights hang on the tree for the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

9/15

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: Actress and singer Arianna DeBose sings at the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

10/15

Yolanda Adams, left, LL Cool J and Ariana DeBose perform after President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, lit the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

11/15

US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks during the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting on The Ellipse south of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2022. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

12/15

Singer Shania Twain performs during the lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

13/15

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 30: Singer-songwriter Joss Stone performs at the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

14/15

Andy Grammar, right, performs after President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden lit the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

15/15

The lit tree is seen during the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting on The Ellipse south of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 30, 2022. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)